Elise Matthews, RN, PhD
Contact Info
Education:
- PhD in Culture, Health, and Human Development
- BScN
- BA (Honors, Psychology)
Academic Social Media:
Areas of Interest:
- Health Services Access for Families of Children with Disabilities and Mental Health Disorders
- Experiences of Childhood Disability and Mental Health in First Nations Communities
- Health and Medical Decision-Making Tools for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
- Qualitative, Inclusive, Community-Based, and Indigenous Research
About:
Elise’s program of research is focused on family experiences of childhood developmental disabilities and mental health disorders in various cultural contexts. Elise explores individual, family and community conceptions of childhood and disability, and the creative strategies of resistance, navigation and adaptation they employ in everyday life. The ultimate goal of her research is to improve children’s and families’ quality of life and access to health services and supports, through culturally safe pathways. She also explores accessibility of health and medical decision-making tools for adults with intellectual disabilities. Elise conducts community-based, inclusive, participatory, qualitative research with Indigenous, rural, and urban populations in Saskatchewan, informed by scholarship in the fields of nursing, anthropology, and psychology. Elise’s research and scholarship is made possible through collaboration and partnership with self-advocates, communities, and service agencies.
Current Teaching:
- CNUR 401: Population Health and Community Partnerships
- CNUR 209: Nursing Research Methods
- CNUR 106: Health and Education Across the Lifespan
- CNUR 102: Foundations of Care: A Developing Professional
- MNUR 801: Research in Advanced Nursing Practice
- KHS 867: Qualitative Approaches to the Study of Family Life, Mental Health, and Disability
Funding:
E.J. Matthews(Nominated PI). PIs: Elder Eunice Bear, K. Collins, C. Fourstar, J. Gelech, K. Neufeld, Co-Is: S. Bird, C. Crowe, J. Forrester-Tytlandsvik, A. Hatala, M. Kaiswatum, B. McLeod-Waditika, H. Montgomery, W. Ogle, I. Poorman, W. Seesequasis, C. Singleton, H. Yuzicapi. Recognizing Resilience and Understanding Needs (RRUN): Promoting the Health of Children and Youth with Disabilities in First Nations Communities in Saskatchewan. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant. Awarded February 2023. $2,306,475.
Matthews, E. J. (Principle Investigator). Co-Investigators: Beatty, B., Desjardins, M., Gelech, J., Montgomery, H. M. Partner: L. Isnana, QBOW Child and Family Services. RRUN - Recognizing resilience and understanding needs: Family experiences of childhood disability in First Nations communities. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Partnership Development Grant, 2020-2022, $200,000.
Matthews, E. (PI). Cooper, E. (Co-PI). Andersen, C. (Collaborator).Evaluation and Adaptation of Supported and Shared Health Decision-Making Plain Language Tools for Self-Advocates and Health Care Professionals. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Align Grant. Awarded July 2022. $10,000.
NPI: E. Cooper. PIs: E. Matthews, S. Andrews, H. Smith. R. Tenana, D. Robins Co-I: E. Grafton. Knowledge Users: R. Tenana, J. Altenberg, V. Deschambeault, C. Eashappie, G. Eashappie, T. R. Ferris, A. Perry, S. Sanderson. Community Healing: Exploring Indigenous Resurgence and Cultural Arts-Based Approaches. CIHR Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support. Awarded June, 2022. $20,000.
Matthews, E. (Principal Investigator). Fourstar, C., Thomas, E. (Knowledge Users), Gelech, J., Beatty, B., Desjardins, M., Montgomery, H., Thomas, E. (Co-Is). Sharing First Nations Childhood Disability Teachings and Stories. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Truth and Action Research Connections Grant. Awarded January 2022. $10,000.
Matthews, E. J. (University of Regina), Andersen, C., Harrison, A., Wells, M. (Inclusion Saskatchewan). Choice and Care: Health planning documents for people with intellectual disabilities. George Reed Centre for Accessible Visible Communication. Awarded March 2021. $20,000.
Matthews, E. J. (Principal Investigator). Co-Investigators: Gelech, J., Desjardins, M., Montgomery, H. M., Beatty, B. Saskatchewan Indigenous Childhood Disability Resource Guide. Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Research Connections Grant.Awarded May 2021. $7,500
Matthews, E. J. (Principle Investigator) and Somaya Al-Ja’afreh (Co-Investigator). Perceptions of domestic violence among women Syrian refugees. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Seed Grant from University of Regina President’s Office, 2019-2021, $5000.
Matthews, E. J. (Principle Investigator). Experiences of reproductive decision-making after childhood maltreatment. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Scholarship, $105,000.
Selected Publications:
Matthews, E., Phillips. A. (In Press). Co-creating an inclusive health research team with individuals with intellectual disabilities. In M. de Chesnay & B. A. Anderson (Eds.), Caring for the vulnerable: Perspectives in nursing theory, practice and research (6th edition).
Matthews, E., Gelech, J., Ogle, W., & Neufeld, K. (In Press) Walking Together: A guide to Indigenous childhood disability in Saskatchewan. www.rrun.ca
Matthews, E. J., Clune, L., Luhanga, F., & Loewen, R. (2021). The impact of cultural immersion international learning experiences on cultural competence of nursing students: A critical integrative review. Journal of Professional Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.07.002
Matthews, E. J., Puplampu, V., & Gelech, J. (2021). Tactics and strategies of family adaptation among parents caring for children and youth with developmental disabilities. Global Qualitative Nursing Research:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/23333936211028184
Matthews, E. J., Gelech, J., Graumans, R., Desjardins, M., & Gelinas, I. (2020). Mediating a fragmented system: Partnership experiences of parents of children with neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1007s/10882-020-09750-0
Gelech, J., Desjardins, M., Matthews, E. J., Graumans, R. (2017). Why don’t working relationships change? The need for a new approach to disability partnership research and reform. Disability and Society, 32(2), 176-192. https://www.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2017.1281104
Matthews, E. J. (2019). Seeking an ethics of care: Adult relational process after childhood maltreatment and parental mental health disorders. In M. de Chesnay & B. A. Anderson, Caring for the vulnerable: Perspectives in nursing theory, practice and research (5th edition) (pp. 187-196). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett. ISBN: 978-1284146813. https://books.google.ca/books
Puplampu, V., & Matthews, E. J., Puplampu, G., Gross, M., Pathak, S., & Peters, S. (2019). The impact of seniors’ cohousing on older adults’ quality of life. The Canadian Journal on Aging, 39(3). https://www.doi.org/10.1017/S0714980819000448
Matthews, E. J., & Desjardins, M. (2019). The meaning of risk in reproductive decisions after childhood abuse and neglect. The Journal of Family Violence, 35, 793-802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-019-00062-2
Matthews, E. J., & Desjardins, M. (2017). Remaking our identities: Couples’ experiences of Voluntary childlessness. The Family Journal. 25(1), 31-39. https://www.doi.org/10.1177/1066480716679643
Selected Reports:
Matthews, E. J. (2022, May). CONAA members reflect on community research in the pandemic. Society for Applied Anthropology Newsletter. https://appliedanthro.org/news/news-from-members-other-associations/conaa-members-reflect-on-community-research-in-the-pandemic/
Matthews, E. J. (2020, May). CONAA connects virtually during the 2020 pandemic. Society for Applied Anthropology Newsletter. https://appliedanthro.org/news/tigs-committees/conaa/
Selected Presentations:
Wellsch, J., Gelech, J., & Matthews, E. Towards Indigenous-led Autism Supports: A Systematic Review of Models, Programs, and Services in Saskatchewan and Beyond. Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Ottawa, ON, Canada, June 22, 2024.
Matthews, E., & Gelech, J. A Systematic Review of Indigenous Perspectives on Childhood Disability and Mental Health and Potential Framework for Child and Family Assessment. Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Ottawa, ON, Canada, June 22, 2024.
Zyznomirski, S., Gelech, J., Wellsch, J., & Matthews, E. Using Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being to Address Indigenous Youth Substance Use in Canada. Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Ottawa, ON, Canada, June 22, 2024.
Talbot, S., Matthews, E., Todd, S., Mantesso, J., Arvidson, S., & Pollard, C. Indigenous High School Mentorship for Nursing: A Proposed Pilot Program. Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, Santa Fe, NM, USA, March, 2024.
Matthews, E., DeBarros A. C., Gelech, Jan, Al-Ja’afreh, S. The Meaning of Childhood Disability among Immigrant and Refugee Parents: A Lifeworld Approach. Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, Santa Fe, NM, USA, March, 2024.
Modanloo, S., Nagel, D., Gifford, W., Duff, J. Barry, J., E. Matthews. Members of a Social and Inclusive Community (MOSAIC) - a Community of Practice Initiative for Community Health Nurses in Canada. Poster presentation. International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress Montreal, July 2023.
Matthews, E., & Phillips, A. Inclusive Research Teams with People with Intellectual Disabilities. Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, March, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936231180342
Matthews, E., & Gelech, J. Walking in Two Worlds: Indigenous social service providers’ perspectives on childhood disability, health, and culture. Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, March, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936231180342
Matthews, E. J. (2022). Challenges and Innovations in Collaborative Research in the Community. Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, March 22-26. Abstract published in Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936221119326
Matthews, E. Ahmed, M., Andersen, C., Eger, C., Ellis, J., Harrison, A., McMechan, M., Miller, T., Phillips, A., Sauve, B., Verboom, S., Wall, D., Wells, M., Young, A. (2022). How to Support Health Decision-Making of People with Intellectual Disabilities. Community Health Nurses of Canada conference, June 8-10. Virtual, synchronous conference. https://chnc2022.ca/program
Matthews, E. J, Gelech, J., & Graumans, R. (2021). Childhood disability in Indigenous contexts. Paper presented at the Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology conference, March 25-26, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Abstract published in the Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936211009687
Matthews, E. J., Al-Ja’afreh, S., & Gelech, J. (2020). Language, translation and representation: Critical interpretation of Arabic speaking refugee women’s experiences presented in English. Paper presented at the Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology virtual conference March 18. Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2333393620925792
Al-Ja’afreh, S., Matthews, E. J., & Gelech, J. (2020). Family, health and community experiences of Syrian women refugees in Saskatchewan. Paper presented at the Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology virtual conference March 18. Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2333393620925792
Gelech, J., Mazurik, K., Matthews, E., & Desjardins, M. (2020, March 18). Developing a communicative body: A processual account of coping with irritable bowel diseases. Paper presented at the Council on Nursing and Anthropology sessions at Society for Applied Anthropology virtual conference March 18. Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2333393620925792
Matthews, E. J., & Puplampu, V. (2019). Strategies of adaptation among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Saskatchewan. Society for Applied Anthropology and Council on Nursing and Anthropology Annual Meeting, March 2019, Portland, Oregon, USA. Journal of Global Qualitative Nursing Research: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2333393620925792
Matthews. E. J. (2016). Risk, relationality, and reconciliation: Experiences of reproductive decision-making after childhood maltreatment (Doctoral dissertation). ORCID 0000-0002-3695-2746. Link: https://ecommons.usask.ca/handle/10388/7439