School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Elizabeth Saewyc, PhD, PHN, RN Professor
The University of British Columbia School of Nursing T201 2211 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 2B5
Phone: 604-822-7505
Email: elizabeth.saewyc@nursing.ubc.ca

Chaired Essays, Theses and Dissertations

Affiliations & Links

Educational Background

PhD, University of Washington School of Nursing
MSN, University of Washington School of Nursing
BSN, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

Current Teaching

Currently I teach in both the masters and doctoral programs, research methods (N552), the doctoral seminar (N601), and I occasionally guest lecture in undergraduate public health nursing courses. I also teach a special Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Adolescent Health Course, open to all disciplines who work with adolescents.

Current Professional Practice & Scholarship

I am an ongoing consultant to the Midwest Children’s Resource Center at St. Paul Children’s Hospital, Minnesota, a clinic for forensic examination, diagnosis and treatment of maltreated children. The consultation focuses on advising nurse clinicians who assess and treat sexually abused and sexually exploited very young adolescents (age 10 through 15) especially young runaways. I helped them develop a home-visiting, case management program, and have evaluated it for the past 4 years.

Research

Research Project 1

Description: My research focuses on health issues of youth, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of stigma, risk behaviors, and protective factors that influence the health of vulnerable populations of young people. These populations include: sexual minority youth (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens), homeless and runaway youth, sexually-exploited teens, pregnant and parenting adolescents, youth in custody, and indigenous young people in Canada and other countries.
Grant Value: $0.00
Start Date: January, 1900	End Date: January, 1900

Research Project 2

Description: Guys Un-Limited: Young Men Speak Out About Health Services-CIHR
Grant Value: $171,000.00
Start Date: April, 2009	End Date: March, 2011

Research Project 3

Description: Enacted stigma, gender, & risk behaviors of school youth--National Institute of Drug Abuse, NIH
Grant Value: $646,130.00
Start Date: September, 2003	End Date: June, 2009

Research Project 4

Description: Stigma, risk and protective factors among vulnerable youth--Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
Grant Value: $0.00
Start Date: September, 2004	End Date: May, 2009

Research Project 5

Description: College Health Intervention Program, UBC Site: A randomized clinical trial of a brief intervention in Student Health Services to promote healthier behaviours, with 2-year follow-up. The project is part of a larger NIAAA multi-site study from the University of Wisconsin (M. Fleming, PI), in collaboration with the Child Family Research Institute.
Grant Value: $0.00
Start Date: July, 2005	End Date: February, 2009

Research Project 6

Description: Stigma and Resilience among Vulnerable Youth Consortium--CIHR Institute for Gender & Health, Institute for Population and Public Health, and CIHR Ethics Office
Grant Value: $743,751.00
Start Date: April, 2006	End Date: March, 2011

Research Project 7

Description: Rural and Northern Youth Sexual Health Team (J. Shoveller, PI)--CIHR
Grant Value: $800,000.00
Start Date: April, 2006	End Date: March, 2011

Research Project 8

Description: CIHR/PHAC Chair in Applied Public Health Research: Building Capacity for Population-Level Monitoring & Interventions for Healthy Youth, funded by CIHR's IHDCYH, IPPH, and Public Health Agency of Canada
Grant Value: $925,000.00
Start Date: March, 2008	End Date: February, 2013

Research Project 9

Description: Minnesota Runaway Intervention Project (K. Richtmann, PI), US OJJDP/Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Grant Value: $460,000.00
Start Date: January, 2006	End Date: December, 2009

Research Project 10

Description: BC Adolescent Health Survey IV, BC Interministry Committee (MCFD, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Public Safety), Child Health BC, and Health Canada, [Saewyc & Smith, co-PIs--McCreary Centre Society]
Grant Value: $500,000.00
Start Date: April, 2006	End Date: March, 2009

Research Project 11

Description: BC Drug Monitoring & Surveillance National Pilot: Representative school-based surveys sub-project (T. Stockwell, PI, Saewyc sub-project PI) Health Canada, PHSA, Vancouver Coastal Health, CAR-BC
Grant Value: $400,000.00
Start Date: April, 2006	End Date: March, 2009

Research Project 12

Description: Youth Translating Research for Youth: The Health Issues of Aboriginal Street-Involved Youth on Vancouver Island--Vancouver Island Health Authority
Grant Value: $15,790.00
Start Date: February, 2008	End Date: May, 2008

Publications

Saewyc, E., Chen, W., Hirakata, P. (In Press for February 2010). Quantifying the influence of violence exposure on adolescent risk behaviours in Western Canada. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Poon, C., Homma, Y., Saewyc, E., Smith, A. (In Press for February 2010). Is cultural connnectedness a protective factor? [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Warf, C., Rew, L., Saewyc, E., Neavel, C., Ensign, J., & Ammerman, S. (In Press). Health and health needs of homeless and runaway youth: A position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Hirakata, P., Saewyc, E., Callaghan, S., Joo, S., & Metcalfe, Q. (In Press for February 2010). In the news: Do print news media accurately portray secually exploited youth in Canada? [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Certain, H., Harahan, B., Saewyc, E., & Fleming, M. (In Press, March 2009). Condom use in heavy drinking college students: The importance of always using condoms. Journal of American College Health.

Fleming, M.F., Balousek, S., Grossberg, P., Mundt, M., Brown, D., Weigel, J., Zakletskaia, L., & Saewyc, E. (In Press, July 16, 2009). Brief physician advice for heavy drinking college students: A randomized controlled trial in college health clinics. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Stockwell, T., Buxton, J., Duff, C., Marsh, D., MacDonald, S., Saewyc, E., Richmond, K., Hanson, R., Cohen, I., Corrado, R., Chow, C., Ivsins, A., Michelow, W., Nicholson, D., Pakula, B., Puri, A., Rehm, J., Sturge, J. Tu, A., & Zhao, J. (In Press, January 29, 2008). The B.C. alcohol and other drug monitoring system: Overview and early progress. Contemporary drug problems.

Mackenzie, S., Wiegel, J., Mundt, M., Brown, D., Saewyc, E., Heiligestein, E., Harahan, B., & Fleming, M. (In Press October 27, 2009). Depression and suicide ideation among students accessing college health care services. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.

Saewyc, E. (2009). Sexual abuse: Medical and psychological perspectives. In R.A. Shweder, T.R. Bidell, A.C. Dailey, S.D. Dixon, P.J. Miller, & J. Modell (eds.), The Child: An Encyclopedic Companion. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp 882-884.

Phillips, J. C., & Saewyc, E. (2009). Chapter 11: HIV disease and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. In J. Durham & F.R. Lashley (eds.), The Person with HIV/AIDS: Nursing perspectives, (4th ed.), new York, NY: Springer Publishing. ISBN13#9780826121370. pp. 365-404.

Poon, C., Saewyc, E., Homma, Y., & Clark, T. (2009). Reducing problem substance use in Asian sexual minority and heterosexual youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44, S6.

Edinburgh, L., Homma, Y., Saewyc, E., Wirkkala, S., & Michkschl, L. (2009). Restoring family support self-esteem and reducing distress among sexually abused young runaways. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44, S22.

Saewyc, E., Kim, K.J., Anderson, J., & Smith, A. (2009). The context and challenges of employment among street-involved youth in Western Canada. In The Strategy for Youth Competence Development to Cope with Global Trends, proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Symposium of the National Youth Policy Institute, Seoul, South Korea; 25 June 2009.

Saewyc. E., & Edinburgh, L. (accepted June 17, 2009, available early on-line August 3). Restoring healthy developmental trajectoris for sexually-exploited young runaways: Fostering protective factors and reducing risk behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health.

Poon, C., & Saewyc, E. (2009). 'Out" yonder: Sexual minority youth in rural and small town areas of British Columbia. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 118-124.

Saewyc, E., Homma, Y., Skay, C.L., Bearinger, L., Resnick, M., & Reis, E. (2009). Protective factors in the lives of bisexual adolescents in North America. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 110-117.

Devries, K., Free, C., Morison, L., & Saewyc, E. (2009). Factors associated with sexual behaviour of Aboriginal youth; Implications for health promotion. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 855-862.

Edinburgh, L.D., & Saewyc, E. (2009). A novel, intensive home visiting intervention for runaway sexually exploited girls. Journal of Pediatric Specialists in Nursing, 14(1), 41-48.

Saewyc, E., Brown, D., Plane, M., Mundt, M.P., Zakletskaia, L., Wiegel, J., & Fleming, M.F. (2009). Gender differences in violence exposure among university sutdents attending campus health clinics in the U.S. and Canada. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(6), 587-594.

Devries, K.M., Free, C., Morison, L., & Saewyc, E. (2009). Factors associated with pregnancy and STI among aboriginal students in British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 100(3), 226-230.

Albert, M., Saewyc, E., Smith, A., & MacKay, L. (2008). Changes in substance use patterns for street-involved youth cohorts in British Columbia. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, S49.

Homma, Y., & Saewyc, E. (2008). Acculturation and sexual behavior among East Asian adolescents in British Columbia, Canada. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, S45.

Clarke, M., Lin, L., Saewyc, E., & Whitehouse, S. (2008). Alcohol-related visits in youth: Pediatrics emergency department utilization. [abstract], Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 10(3), 106. Available on-line at ww.caep.ca

Saewyc, E., Poon, C., Skay, C., & Homma, Y. (2008). The role of protective factors in reducing the odds of teen pregnancy involvement among bisexual adolescents in Canada and the U.S. [abstract], International Journal of Psychology, 46(3&4), 555.

Brunanski, D., Bingham, B., Smith, A., & Saewyc, E. (2008). Mental health issues among Aboriginal street-involved youth in Western Canada [abstract] International Journal of Psychology, 46(3-4), 230.

Saewyc, E., Solsvig, W., & Edinburgh, L. (2008). The Hmong Youth Task Force: Evaluation of a coalition to address the sexual exploitation of young runaways. Public Health Nursing, 25(1), 69-76.

Chen, W., Bottorff, J., Johnson, J., Saewyc, E., & Zumbo, B. (2008). Susceptibility to smoking among White and Chinese non-smoking adolescents in Canada. Public Health Nursing, 25(1), 18-27.

Saewyc, E., & Tonkin, R. (2008). Surveying adolescents: Focusing on positive development. Paediatrics & Child Health, 13(1), 43-47.

Saewyc, E., Taylor, D., Homma, Y., & Ogilvie, G. (2008). Trends in sexual health and risk behaviors among adolescent students in British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 17(1-2), 1-13.

Edinburgh, L., Saewyc, E., & Levitt, C. (2008). Caring for young sexual abuse victims in a hospital-based children's advocacy center. Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal, 32, 1119-1126.

Parkes, S., Saewyc, E., MacKay, L.J., & Cox, D. (2008). The relationship between body image, dieting behaviors, and stimulant use among adolescents in British Columbia. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(6), 616-618.

Saewyc, E., Poon, C., Homma, Y., & Skay, C.L. (2008). Stigma management? The links between enacted stigma and teen pregnancy trends among gay, lesbian and bisexual students in British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 17(3) 123-131.

Homma, Y., & Saewyc, E. (2007). The emotional well-being of Asian-American sexual minority youth in school. Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(1), 67-78.

Saewyc, E., Skay, C.L., Hynds, P., Pettingell, S., Bearinger, L.H., Resnick, M.D., & Reis, E. (2007). Suicidal ideation and attmepts among adolescents in North American school-based surveys: Are bisexual youth at increasing risk? Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(2), 25-36. PubMedCentral ID#PMC2645066.

Saewyc, E. (2007). Contested conclusions: What claims can (and cannot) be made from the current research on gay, lesbian, and bisexual teen suicide attempts? Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(1), 79-87.

Garcia, C.M., Duckett, L.J., Saewyc, E., & Bearinger, L.H. (2007). Perceptions of health among immigrant Latino adolescents in Mexico. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 25, 81-91.

Saewyc, E., Poon, C., Wang, N., Homma, Y., Smith, A., & the McCreary Centre Society. (2007). Not yet equal: The health of lesbian, gay & bisexual youth in BC. Vancouver, BC: McCreary Centre Society, ISBN#: 978-1-895438-84-5.

Smith, A., Saewyc, E., Albert, M., Mackay, L., Northcott, M., & the McCreary Centre Society. (2007). Against the odds: A profile of marginalized and street-involved youth in BC. Vancouver, BC: McCreary Centre Society, ISBN#: 978-1-895438-83-7.

Meininger, E., Saewyc, E., Skay, C., Clark, T., Poon, C., Robinson, E., Pettingell, S., & Homma, Y. (2007). Enacted sigma and HIV risk behaviors in sexual minority youth of European heritage across three countries. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, S27.

Saewyc, E., Edinburgh, L., & Richtman, K. (2007). Outcomes of a runaway intervention project for sexually exploited young girls. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, S40.

Garcia, C.M. & Saewyc, E., (2007). Perceptions of mental health among recently-immgranted Mexican adolescents. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 28(1), 37-54.

Saewyc, E., Wang, N., Chittenden, M., Murphy, A., & the McCreary Centre Society. (2006). Building resilience in vulnerable youth. Vancouver, BC: McCreary Centre Society, ISBN#: 1-895438-76-4.

Poon, C., Chittenden, M., Saewyc, E., Murphy, A., & the McCreary Centre Society. (2006). Promoting healthy bodies: Physical activity, weight and tobacco use among BC youth. Vancouver, BC: McCreary Centre Society, ISBN#: 1-895438-74-8.

Edinburgh, L., Saewyc, E., & Levitt, C. (2006). Gender differences in extra-familial abuse experiences among very young adolescents. Journal of School Nursing, 22(5), 278-284.

Saewyc, E. (2006). Chapter 19: Health promotion of adolescents and families. In D. Wong (ed.). Nursing care of infants and children, (8th ed.), St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book.

Daigneau, C.V., & Saewyc, E. (2006). Chapter 21: Behavioral health problems of adolescents: Eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide. In D. Wong (ed.). Nursing care of infants and children, (8th ed.) pp, St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book.

Saewyc, E. (2006). Community coalitions and research to help sexually-exploited Hmong girls in the USA: System change through collaboration. In B. Majumdar (ed.). Proceedings of the Third International Conference - Impact of Global Issues on Women and Children, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: McMaster University, 85-88.

Garcia, C., Duckett, L., Saewyc, E., & Bearinger, L. (2006). Air, water, land: Mexican-origin immigrant adolescents’ perceptions of the physical environment in the U.S. and its impact on their physical and mental health status. [Abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38, 144-145.

Saewyc, E., Bearinger, L.H., McMahon, G., & Evans, T.J. (2006). A national needs assessment of nurses providing health care to adolescents. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(5), 304-313.

Paone, M., Wigle, M., & Saewyc, E. (2006). The ON TRAC model for transitional care of adolescents. Progress in Transplantation, 16(4), 291-302.

Saewyc, E. (2006). Contested conclusions: What claims can (and cannot) be made from the current research on gay, lesbian, and bisexual teen suicide attempts?. Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(1), 75-84.

Homma, Y., & Saewyc, E. (2006). The emotional well-being of Asian-American sexual minority in school. Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(1), 69-74.

Edinburgh L., Saewyc, E., Solsvig W., & Levitt C. (2006). A home visiting intervention for very young, sexually exploited runaways: Program development and preliminary outcomes [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38, 146.

Edinburgh, L., Saewyc, E., Thao, T., & Levitt, C. (2006). Sexual exploitation of very young Hmong girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 111-118.

Saewyc, E., Skay, C.L, Reis, E., Pettingell, S.E., Bearinger, L.H., Resnick, M.D., Murphy A, & Combs L. (2006). Hazards of stigma: The sexual and physical abuse of gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents in the U.S. and Canada. Child Welfare, 85(2), 195-213.

Saewyc, E., Skay, C.L, Richens, K., Reis, E., Poon, C., & Murphy, A. (2006). Sexual orientation, sexual abuse, and HIV-risk behaviors among adolescents in the Pacific Northwest. American Journal of Public Health, 96(6), 1104-1110.

Samargia, L., Saewyc, E., & Elliott, B. (2006). Foregone mental health care and reported access barriers among adolescents. Journal of School Nursing, 22, 17-24.

Saewyc E. (2005). Young people and sexual health: Individual, social, and policy contexts [book review]. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2(3), 68-70.

Temple M., Fagerlund K., & Saewyc E. (2005). A national survey of certified registered nurse anesthetists’ knowledge, beliefs, and assessment of herbal supplements in the anesthesia setting. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 73, 368-377.

Edinburgh, L., Saewyc, E., & Levitt C. (2005). Gender differences in extra-familial sexual abuse experiences of young adolescents. [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 137.

Flower, J. & Saewyc, E. (2005). Assessing the capability of school-age children with asthma to safely self-carry an inhaler. Journal of School Nursing, 21, 283-292.

Saewyc, E. (2005). Chapter 5. Pregnancy among lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents: Influences of stigma, sexual abuse, and sexual orientation. In Omoto, A.M., & Kurtzman, H.S (Eds.), Sexual Orientation and Mental Health: Examining Identity and Development in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People. (pp. 95-116). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Saewyc, E., Skay C.L, Bearinger L.H., & Resnick, M.D. (2005). The prevalence of protective factors in the lives of bisexual adolescents in the U.S. and Canada [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 136-137.

Saewyc E., Bauer G.R., Skay C.L., Bearinger L.H., Resnick M.D., Reis E., & Murphy A. (2004). Measuring sexual orientation in adolescent health surveys: Evaluation of eight school-based surveys. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35, Retrieved 2004, See Full Text

Saewyc E., Magee L.L., & Pettingell S.L. (2004). Teenage pregnancy and associated risk behaviors among sexually-abused adolescents. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36, 98-105.

Saewyc, E., Skay, C.L, & Pettingell, S.L. (2004). Hazards of stigma: The sexual and physical abuse of gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents in the US and Canada [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 115-116.

Gallart H. & Saewyc E. (2004). Sexual orientation and contraceptive behaviors among Minnesota adolescents [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 141-141.

Saewyc E., Pettingell S.L, & Skay C.L. (2004). Suicide ideation and attempts in North American school-based surveys: Are bisexual youth at increasing risk? [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 138-138.

Forrest R., & Saewyc E. (2004). Sexual minority teen parents: Demographics of an unexpected population [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 122-122.

Saewyc E., Pettingell S.L., & Skay C.L. (2004). Teen pregnancy among sexual minority youth in population-based surveys of the 1990s: Countertrends in a population at risk [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34, 125-126.

Saewyc E., Pettingell S., Magee L.L. (2003). The prevalence of sexual abuse among adolescents in school. Journal of School Nursing, 19, 266-272.

Saewyc E. (2003). Influential life contexts and environments for out-of-home pregnant adolescents. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 21, 343-367.

Saewyc, E. (2003). Chapter 19: Health promotion of adolescents and family. In Wong D (Ed.), Nursing Care of Infants and Children (7th ed.). (pp. 802-838). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book.

Tonkin R., Murphy A., Lee Z., Saewyc E., & McCreary Centre Society. (2005). British Columbia Youth Health Trends: A Retrospective, 1992-2003. Vancouver: McCreary Centre Society. ... McCreary Centre Society Website

Saewyc E., Bearinger L.H., Farrow J.H., & Gibbs, J.T. (2002). Work Group III: Identifying effective strategies and interventions for improving adolescent health at the individual level. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(Suppl), 226-229.

Magee L.L., Saewyc E., Erickson S., & Belfay, K. (2001). Family environment correlates of sexually-abused adolescents in a school-based population [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 27, 118-118.

Bensussen-Walls W., & Saewyc, E. (2001). Teen-focused vs. adult-focused prenatal care models for the high-risk pregnant adolescent: An outcomes evaluation. Public Health Nursing, 18, 424-435.

Saewyc E., & Rew L. (2001). Focusing on protective resources in adolescent health care [editorial]. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 19, 99-101.

Saewyc, E., Singh, N., Reis, E., & Flynn, T. (2000). Intersections of gender, racial, and orientaion harassment in school and associated health risks among adolescents [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 26, 148-148.

Saewyc E. (2000). Meanings of pregnancy and motherhood among out-of-home pregnant adolescents [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 26, 119-119.

Saewyc E. (2000). Nursing theories of caring: A paradigm fro adolescent nursing practice. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 18, 114-128.

Saewyc, E., Frevert, R., Brown, A., & Rogers, C. (1999). Comparison of perinatal risk factors and outcomes among pregnant adolescents with and those without a history of sexual abuse [abstract]. Journal of Adolescent Health, 24, 104-104.

Nerdahl, P.L., Berglund, D.J., Bearinger, L.H., Saewyc, E., Ireland. M., & Evans, T. (1999). New challenges, new answers: Pediatric nurse practitioners and the care of adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, 13, 183-190.

Saewyc, E., Bearinger, L.H., Blum, R.W., & Resnick, M.D. (1999). Sexual intercourse, abuse, and pregnancy among adolescent woment: Does sexual orientation make a difference?. Family Planning Perspectives, 31, 127-131.

Saewyc, E., Skay, C.L., Bearinger, L.H., Blum, R.W., & Resnick M.D. (1998). Demographics of sexual orientation among American Indian adolescents. AmericanJournal of Orthopsychiatry, 68, 590-600.

Saewyc E., Skay C.L, Bearinger L.H., Blum R.W., & Resnick M.D. (1998). Sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, and pregnancy among American Indian adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 23, 238-247.

Saewyc E., Heinz P.A., Bearinger L.H., Blum R.W., & Resnick M.D. (1998). Gender differences in health and risk behaviors among bisexual and homosexual adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 23, 181-188.

Last reviewed April 20, 2008

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