In 2011, there were about 218,000 elders aged 90 years and over in Canada, or less than one percent of the Canadian population (Statistics Canada, 2013)
In 2011, there were about 218,000 elders aged 90 years and over in Canada, or less than one percent of the Canadian population (Statistics Canada, 2013)
Les personnes exceptionnellement âgées pourraient nous rendre un grand service en acceptant de partager avec nous leurs expériences de vie.
Exceptionally elderly individuals can help us tremendously by agreeing to speak with us about their life-long experience.
Many believe that soon, we will face serious issues regarding health and care of an aging population (Brink, 2004). In the Canadian population, baby-boomers represent the largest cohort (Statistics Canada, 2007a) and life expectancy has increased. Interestingly, it is usually never mentioned that seniors are expected to be healthier and retirement age has already increased. Moreover, many of the individuals who reach an exceptional old age (90+) are in relatively good health and live mostly autonomously (Andersen-Ranberg et al, 2001; Hitt et al., 1999; Perls, 1995; Walter-Ginzburga et al., 2005). As such, they demonstrate resilience and strength. We also know that keeping elders in their own homes for as long as possible is the most cost-effective strategy, when compared to institutionalised arrangements (Chappel et al., 2009), and the most humane.
This study aims to extend our understanding of elder elders' resilience during the aging phase of life. Using qualitative life history techniques, the stories of elder elders will be obtained and studied to gain insights into the successes and challenges of the aging process. Specifically, this project seeks to answers questions such as: What strategies have elder elders used and currently use to succeed in their lives? What is the role of gender in the "storying" of life among the 90+ year olds? What social institutional practices, policies, and ideologies hinder/facilitate elder elders' life worlds? What are the cultural determinants of living through the latter years with resilience? Is longevity intertwined with specific meaning making of life experiences?
Findings have the potential to inform 1) policy decisions regarding the commitment of community resources, adoption of services, and development of interventions to enhance the environment, wellbeing, resilience, and independence for our aging society; and 2) the development of a resilience model for marginalised groups in general and elders in particular.
Andersen-Ranberg, Schroll, and Bernard (2001) suggest that the global population will face major life challenges in the near future. Examining the life history narratives …
Les personnes exceptionnellement âgées pourraient nous rendre un grand service en acceptant de partager avec nous leurs expériences de vie.
Dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche sur les récits de vie de personnes qui jouissent d’une longévité extraordinaire, des chercheurs à l’Université du Nouveau Brunswick recueillent les témoignages de personnes « exceptionnellement âgées » de 90 ans et plus qui vivent de façon relativement autonome. Aucun renseignement personnel susceptible de vous identifier ne sera divulgué ou publié.
Nous sommes toujours à votre disposition pour répondre à vos questions au sujet de cette étude. Pour participer ou pour obtenir plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter la Dre Carmen Poulin ou la Dre Lynne Gouliquer au 506-458-7800 ou par courriel à [email protected] Nous vous invitons aussi à visiter notre site web à www.p-sec.org.
Exceptionally elderly individuals can help us tremendously by agreeing to speak with us about their life-long experience.
As part of a study on the life histories of individuals with extraordinary longevity, researchers at the University of New Brunswick and University of Laurentian are seeking to interview “exceptionally elderly” francophones. We are looking for individuals who are at least 90 years old and currently living relatively independently. No personal information that could identify study participants will be released or published.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. To participate or for further information, please contact Dr. Carmen Poulin or Dr. Lynne Gouliquer at 506-458-7800 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We also invite you to visit our website at www.p-sec.org.
Andersen-Ranberg, Schroll, and Bernard (2001) suggest that the global population will face major life challenges in the near future. Examining the life history narratives of elder elders, therefore, has the potential to provide empirical insights into the circumstances, coping strategies, perspectives, and social strategies that will benefit future generations. Given the current political rhetoric of budgetary cuts and deficit reduction, this knowledge is critical for policy decisions regarding the commitment of resources, adoption of services, and development of interventions.
For this research, we will use P-SEC Methodology (Gouliquer & Poulin, 2005). This methodology is a multidisciplinary approach that facilitates the study of marginalised individuals whose lives are affected and shaped by social institutions and their social relations of power (e.g., home care services, families). By focussing on both the sociological context and the individual psychologies, it helps us understand the gendered, ageist, racial, heterosexist nature of social relations, their intersections, and the organisation of peoples’ worlds. P-SEC’s greatest strength is in explaining complex social relations that organise the life realities of a marginalised group, while keeping their human experience central to the research.
Purpose and Importance of this Study
Andersen-Ranberg, K., Schroll, M., Jeune, B. (2001). Healthy centenarians do not exist, but autonomous centenarians do: A population-based study of morbidity among Danish centenarians. Journal of the American Geriatrics society, 49(7), 900-908. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.49180.x
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2005). For Better and for Worse: Psychological Demands and Structural Impacts of the Military on Gay Servicewomen and their Partners in Long- term Relationships. In D. Pawluch, B. Shaffir, & C. Miall (Eds), Doing Ethnography: Researching Everyday Life.
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Older Adults, Neoliberalism, and the Replaceable/Disposable Family. Atlantic Centre …
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Older Adults, Neoliberalism, and the Replaceable/Disposable Family. Atlantic Centre for Qualitative Research & Analysis: Qualitative Luncheon (21 November).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Experiences of the exceptionally old living in New Brunswick: Friends, ageism, and health. 6th Annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference. Delta Beausejour Moncton, NB (13 -14 November).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What do pets have to do with it? Understanding the 90+ year-old in the neoliberal era. Aging & Society: Fourth Interdisciplinary Conference, Manchester, UK (7-8 November).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Boundaries of aging: How you feel about it and how I feel about it! 30th Qualitative Analysis Conference, London, Ontario (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014, June). Physical consequences of being old and their impact on independence and social life. 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Boundaries of aging: How you feel about it and how I feel about it! 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). How does neoliberalism influence the 4th age? Experiences of people aged 90 and over. Poster-presentation at the 75th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, Canada, June 5.
In a global sense, my research interests focus on the lived reality of women and marginalised groups. This sounds very broad, but it is accurate. I’m interested in the ways in which women and marginalised men – specific groups of women and specific groups of men – manage their lives psychologically and behaviourally in response to the demands of specific social contexts that affect them. Previously, I was interested in the correspondence between psychological and physiological responses that are specific to women. For example, I studied the effect of the menstrual cycle on performance and mood. I also carried out research on the relationship between physiological and psychological sexual arousal. More recently, I have been interested in social organisations and their effects on women and marginalised men’s daily experiences. As my interests have become more focussed on the structural aspects that influence experiences, I have adapted my methodological approach to better suit my research needs.
The methodological approaches that I used in my earlier research were fundamentally reductionist. I tried to circumvent psychological biases (e.g., demand characteristics) that could influence research findings. With time, however, I became increasingly interested in the psychological experiences of women, and felt that I should not be trying to circumvent psychological biases, but rather, examine them in more detail. In collaboration with Dr. Lynne Gouliquer, a sociologist, I developed a new methodological approach to look at the dynamics between the social context and the psychological experience. This methodological approach is known as the Psycho-social Ethnography of the Commonplace (P-SEC), as described on this website. P-SEC has permitted us to ask very different questions, which in turn, helps us to understand the psychology of women and marginalised men in much different ways.
Currently, most of my research is on the social organisation of the everyday life of women in particular institutions, and the cognitive schemata women use to make sense of their reality. The epistemological assumptions influencing how I develop ideas for research inquiries centrally situates the experience of marginalised groups. My research is based on a feminist understanding of the social world. My most recent work includes research on Female Firefighters, and 90+ citizens living independently.
Selected Publications:
Burdett, F., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018). Culture of corrections: The experiences of women correctional officers. Feminist Criminology, 13(3), 329-349. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085118767974
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Moore, J. (2018). A threat to Canadian national security: A lesbian soldier’s story. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 15(2-3), 323-335. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2018.1430206
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & Moore, A. (2018). Les femmes pompières : la passion du feu et le prix à payer. In La santé psychologique au travail, J. Douesnard (Ed.). Québec, Qc: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (PUQ).
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & McCutcheon, J. (2017). Violating gender norms in the Canadian Military: The experiences of gay and lesbian soldiers. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 1-14. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-017-0304-y
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2015). Mobility boundaries between home, community and beyond: Experiences of the exceptionally old living in a Canadian province. Qualitative Sociology Review, XI (3), 124 – 150.
R Chomiak, D., & Poulin, C. (2012). Minding spaces, monitoring places: An examination of patriarchal influences on women’s experiences in public domains. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 53(2a), 26.
R MacArthur, H., & Poulin, C. (2012). Provoking a “storm:” Gender schema theory and the public’s reaction to a genderless child. Journal ofPsychological Inquiry, 17 (2), 41-44.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2012). Clandestine existences and secret research: Eliminating official discrimination in the Canadian military and going public in academia. Journal of Lesbian Studies,16:1, 54-64
MacArthur, H., & Poulin, C. (2011). Gender representation in a selection of children’s picture books: A skewed ratio of male to female characters? Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, 10. http://www.kon.org/urc/v10/macarthur.html.
McCutcheon, J., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2009). Sports and soldiering: Examining servicewomen’s experiences with military sports. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 50(2a), 41.
Moore, J. A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Partners of Canadian lesbian soldiers: Examining the military family social support system. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 50(2a), 99.
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & Moore, J. (2009). Discharged for homosexuality from the Canadian military: Health implications for lesbians. Feminism & Psychology, 19(4) 497-516.
DiTommaso, E., Turbide, J., Poulin, C., & Robinson, B. (2007). L’échelle de solitude sociale et émotionnelle (ÉSSÉ): A French-Canadian adaptation of the social and emotional loneliness scale for Adults. Social Behavior and Personality, 35 (3), 339-350.
Burdett, F., & Poulin, C. (2007). Quality of care during childbirth: Does it affect Mothers feelings of self-efficacy? Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne, 48(2a), 380.
Poulin, C. (2007). It made us think differently: Unger’s ‘toward a redefinition of sex and gender.’ Feminism & Psychology, 17, 435 – 441.
Bergeron, S., Senn, C., & Poulin, C. (Eds.)(2006). Introduction. Special Canadian Issue of Feminism & Psychology, 16(3), 235-241.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2005). For better and for worse: Psychological demands and structural impacts of the military on gay servicewomen and their partners in long-term relationships. In D. Pawluch, W. Shaffir & C. Miall (Eds.), Doing ethnography: Studying everyday life. (pp. 323-335). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.
Newman. K, Poulin, C., Brazier, B., & Cashmore, A. L. (2005). Media’s depiction of emotional abuse: Reactions and commentaries amongst young university women. In D. Pawluch, W. Shaffir & C. Miall (Eds.), Doing ethnography: Researching everyday life. (pp. 200-211). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., Brazier, B., Hughes, J. Brazier, B.C.S., Arseneault, R., MacAulay, S., & Lynne Thériault (2004). Keeping it confidential: A struggle for transition houses. In M.L. Stirling, C. A. Cameron, N. Nason-Clark, & B. Miedema (Eds), Understanding abuse: Partnering for change (pp. 85 – 108). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2003). Part-time disabled lesbian passing on roller blades or PMS, Prozac, and essentializing woman’s ailments. Women & Therapy, 26, 95 – 108. (Also published as a chapter of an edited book by Banks, M. E., & Kaschak, E (Eds.), Women with visible and invisible disabilities: Multiple intersections, multiple issues, multiple therapies. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press).
Burdett, F., & Poulin, C. (2003). New Brunswick Female Correctional Officers’ Experience of Abuse and Violence. Report submitted to the New-Brunswick advisory council on the status of women. (pp. 22).
Poulin, C. (2001). “The military is the wife and I am the mistress” Partners of Gay Service Women. Atlantis, 26(1), 65 – 76. Beauregard, M., Gagné, E., & Poulin., C. (1999). Équipe de rédaction pour la publication: Le corps en tête. Ottawa, Canada: ICREF/CRIAW. (pp.115).
Poulin, C., & Rondeau, G. (1997). Éditorial: Violences Familiales (Vol. Eds.). Criminologie, XXX(2), 3-5.
Poulin, C., & Ross, L.R. (1997). Recherche sur la violence familiale: contribution des différentes épistémologies. Criminologie, XXX(2), 7-25.
Muzychka, M., Poulin, M. B. C., Cottrell, B., Miedema, B., & Roberts, B. (1996). Feminist Research Ethics: A Process (2nd ed.). Ottawa, Ont: Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. (pp. 89).
Poulin, M. B. C., Ross, L., Gouliquer, L., Fox, B., Thériault, L., Arseneault, R., Wuest, J., Merritt-Gray, M., Root, A., Flowers, L.(1995). An evaluation and summary of the accumulated “Monthly Reporting Form”: Usage of New Brunswick transition houses. Report submitted to the Department of Health and Community Services and available to the public. (pp. 38) (also available in French).
Recent Scholarly Presentations:
Burdett, F., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018 - Accepted). Culture of corrections: The experiences of women correctional officers. Feminist Criminology. 74th The American Society of Criminology’s (ASC) Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA (November 14-17).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., Young, P., & Moore, A. (2018). Cultural protection against the internalising of the schema of the older adult as frail and burdensome. International Federation on Ageing (IFA)14th Global Conference on Ageing, Towards a Decade of Healthy Ageing. Toronto, ON (August 8-10).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Research matters! Making a difference with social science data. Preaching to the Choir: An International LGBTQ Psychology Conference (A Pre-Conference to the International Congress of Applied Psychology), Montreal, Qc. (June 24-25).
Moore, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018). Respecting the secular: Non-religious outlooks among older adults. The 35th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, Fredericton, New Brunswick, (May 16 – 18).
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Feeling like the outsider: Othering of women firefighters in Canada. The 35th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference: Creating, Negotiating, and Transcending Social Boundaries in Everyday Life. Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 16-18.
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Health implications of othering: A study of women firefighters in Canada. The Faculty of Nursing's 23rd Annual Research Day, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada (May 11).
Gouliquer, L., Young, P., Poulin, C., Chen, C-F., & Moore, A. (2018). The poesy of aging: Listening to our elders. Laurentian Research Week, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON (March 19-22).
Moore, A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Women firefighters face increased physical and psychological health risks due to marginalised status. The 9th Annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference, Moncton, NB, (1-2 November).
Gouliquer, L., Young, P., Poulin, C., Chen, C-F., & Moore, A. (2017). Rhymes and rhythms of aging: Attending to the voices of the exceptionally old. Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG2017): Evidence for Action in an Aging World, Winnipeg, Manitoba (October 19-21).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Mabey, A.K., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Institutionalized Discrimination: How Social Assistance functions to keep Single Mothers ‘On The System’. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Othering of Volunteer and Full-time Female Firefighters in Canada. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Young, P., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2017). How patriarchy and neoliberalism shape the experience of commercial home-care for the 90+ year old recipient. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Moore, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2017). Extra-nuclear family members: Pet ownership as ersatz family among the very elderly. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Chen, C.-F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2016). Getting prescriptions in Taiwan health care system: How the duration(length) of prescription for chronic disease medications complicates the lives of oldest-old 85+. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Sixth Interdisciplinary Conference. Norrköping, Sweden (5 - 6 October).
Poulin, C., Chen, C.-F., & Gouliquer, L. (2016). Implicit and explicit gender division in long-term care: A comparison between Taiwan and Canada. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Sixth Interdisciplinary Conference. Norrköping, Sweden (5 - 6 October).
Lesmana, M., Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., Hamilton, H. (2016). Female firefighters in leadership roles: “There’s no line up for the washrooms!” Poster-presentation at the 77th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, Canada, June 9 - 11.
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., Moore, A., & Pineau, C. (2016) Disrupting ageist stereotypes with I-Poem poetics: Turning old on its head! The 33rd Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, St. Catharines, ON, (11 - 13 May).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2015). Aging, Women, and Firefighting: Just like oil and water! Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Fifth Interdisciplinary Conference. Washington, DC (5 - 6 November).
Mabey, A., Webb, K., Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2015). Women’s Experiences Negotiating the Dual Role of Mother and Student in Canadian Universities. Workshop given at the Section on Women & Psychology Institute; Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Ottawa, Ontario, 2 June.
Lesmana, M., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L., (2015). The experience of female firefighters: Confronting Ageism and Sexism. Poster-presentation at the 76th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Canada, June 3-6.
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Older Adults, Neoliberalism, and the Replaceable/Disposable Family. Atlantic Centre for Qualitative Research & Analysis: Qualitative Luncheon, St-Thomas University. Fredericton, NB (21 November).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Experiences of the exceptionally old living in New Brunswick: Friends, ageism, and health. 6th Annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference. Delta Beausejour Moncton, NB (13 -14 – November).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Understanding the Ninety-plus Year Olds in the Neoliberal Era. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Fourth Interdisciplinary Conference. Manchester, UK (7 - 8 November).
Mabey, A., Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., (2014) Its just a roof over our heads: Housing Issues of Single Mothers on Social Assistance in New Brunswick, The 31st Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, London, ON, (25-27 June).
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). "Crossing Personal Boundaries: The Experience of Breastfeeding in New Brunswick Hospitals", 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Silva, C.F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). Formal and informal care: What do Brazilian and Canadian elders have to say? 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014, June). Physical consequences of being old and their impact on independence and social life. 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Boundaries of aging: How you feel about it and how I feel about it! 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). How does neoliberalism influence the 4th age? Experiences of people aged 90 and over. Poster-presentation at the 75th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, Canada, June 5.
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). "Giving Birth in New Brunswick: How Labour Induction Practices Complicate Women's Experiences", 75th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Vancouver, Canada, June 7.
Mabey, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014) "Poverty without Hope: The Experiences of Single Mothers Living on Social Assistance in New Brunswick, Canada," The 75th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Vancouver, Canada, June 5.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2013). A Crisis in Health Care: Rhetoric Versus the Lived-Reality of Rural Seniors. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference, Chicago, IL, USA (8-9 November).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2013). A Feminist Interdisciplinary Methodology: The Psycho-Social Ethnography of the Commonplace (P-SEC). 29th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Ottawa, 23-25 May, 2013.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2013). Aging at home in rural New Brunswick: “Essentialising” the role of family networks. 74th Canadian Psychological Association convention, Québec City, Qc (June 13-15).
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2013). Giving Birth in New Brunswick: How the Medical Institution Shapes the experience of Women. 74th Canadian Psychological Association convention, Québec City, Qc (June 13-15).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2012). Vieillir chez soi: La voix des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick
Aging at home: The voices of rural New Brunswick Seniors. The 4th annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference: The dream of future generations – The challenge of our generation, Nov. 7-8, 2012, Fredericton, NB.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2012). A thriving military lesbian community during the witch hunt of the 80s? Shedding light on resilience in the face of marginalisation. Section on Women and Psychology Institute (Canadian Psychological Association), Halifax, NS.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2012). The Psycho-social ethnography of the commonplace (P-SEC): A semi-structured qualitative approach to feminist research. 73rd Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Halifax, NS.
Moore, J. A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2010). Health consequences of institutional discrimination: Gay men serving in the pre-1992 Canadian Armed Forces. 71st Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Winnipeg, MB.
McCutcheon, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2010). Both sides of the spectrum: Gay and lesbian soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces. 71st Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Convention. Winnipeg, MB.
McCutcheon, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Policing masculinity and femininity: Health consequences for gay and lesbian soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces. Sexual and Gender Diversity vulnerability and Resilience (SVR) Conference, Montreal, QC.
Moore, J. A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Partners of Canadian lesbian soldiers: Examining the military family social support system. 70th Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Montréal, Qc.
McCutcheon, J., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2009). Sports and Soldiering: Examining servicewomen’s experiences with military sports. 70th Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Montréal, Qc.
After 16 years of service in the Canadian military, I retired and pursued graduate studies in Sociology. The military is and probably always will be a big part of who I am. Indeed, my research represents a combination of my military experience and academic interests (military & para-military institutions and marginalization).
I began my university studies at Saint Thomas University where I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Sociology in 1995. My thesis was entitled: “The Needs and Issues of Military Wives: A Case Study of Women’s Grassroots Struggle and the State.” My supervisors were Dr. Marilee Reimer and the late Dr. John McKendy. Following my studies at St. Thomas, I completed my Masters and PhD in Sociology at McGill University. My MA was supervised by Dr. Peta Tancred. I remained focused on the Canadian Armed Forces, but examined the experience of historically invisible and marginalised group -- lesbian soldiers. My MA Research Paper was entitled “A Menace to the Gender Order: The Management of Lesbian Sexuality in the Canadian Military.” For my PhD, I investigated women’s career success and integration in the Canadian military, both quantitatively and qualitatively. My PhD research project was supervised by Drs Suzanne Staggenborg and Elaine Weiner. It is entitled: “Soldiering in the Canadian Forces: How and Why Gender Counts!”
I was awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship which I completed at St. Thomas University under the supervision of the Canada Research Chair in Qualitative Research, Dr. Deborah van den Hoonaard. My postdoctoral research focused on older adults, specifically those who attained 90 or more years and still live independently.
I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Laurentian University.
Research wise, I have been collaborating with Dr. Carmen Poulin for many years. The largest and most important project we collaborate on is the development and use of the P-SEC methodology, as explained in this website. We also collaborate on a number of studies such as 1) Life history stories of senior-seniors (90+) : Tales of resiliency, identity, and longevity from the Maritimes, 2) Rural New Brunswick elders: Their health and the formal and informal organisation of care, 3) Women in the Canadian fire services: Putting out “fires” and taking their place, and 4) LGBT soldiers in the Canadian military. Most recently, I have started a project on the historically neglected but now emerging, Métis nation and identity. For this research, I am establishing collaborative networks across Canada but especially in Sudbury and Treat 3 region, my traditional Métis territory.
Selected Publications:
Burdett, F., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018). Culture of corrections: The experiences of women correctional officers. Feminist Criminology, 13(3), 329-349. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085118767974
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Moore, J. (2018). A threat to Canadian national security: A lesbian soldier’s story. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 15(2-3), 323-335. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2018.1430206
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & Moore, A. (2018). Les femmes pompières : la passion du feu et le prix à payer. In La santé psychologique au travail, J. Douesnard (Ed.). Québec, Qc: Les Presses de l’Université du Québec (PUQ).
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & McCutcheon, J. (2017). Violating gender norms in the Canadian Military: The experiences of gay and lesbian soldiers. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 1-14. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-017-0304-y
Kubiliene, N., Shandik, S. M., Gouliquer, L., & Cameron, A. (2016). Agency and Communion in a Day in the Life of a Thriving Older Adult. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging (Accepted Journal number and issue pending).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C. & Lesmana, M. (2015). Mobility Boundaries Between Home, Community and Beyond: Experiences of the Exceptionally Old Living in a Canadian Province. Qualitative Sociology Review, 11(3), 124-150.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2012). Clandestine existences and secret research: Eliminating official discrimination in the Canadian military and going public in academia. Journal of Lesbian Studies,16(1), 54-64
McCutcheon, J., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2009). Sports and Soldiering: Examining servicewomen’s experiences with military sports. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 50(2a), 41.
Moore, J. A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Partners of Canadian lesbian soldiers: Examining the military family social support system. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 50(2a), 99.
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., & Moore, J. (2009). Discharged for Homosexuality from the Canadian military: Health Implications for Lesbians. Feminism & Psychology, 19(4) 497-516.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2005). For Better and for Worse: Psychological Demands and Structural Impacts of the Military on Gay Servicewomen and their Partners in Long-term Relationships. In D. Pawluch, W. Shaffir & C. Miall (Eds.), Doing ethnography: Studying everyday life. (pp. 323-335). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.
St.Pierre, M., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2005). Homosexual identity development in the context of the Canadian Forces: Organisational influences, schematic responses, and coping strategies. Canadian Psychology/ Psychologie canadienne, 46(2a), 200.
Gouliquer, L. (2004). Ask and tell [Review of the books, Officially gay: The political construction of sexuality and the US military, and Don’t ask, don’t tell: Debating the gay ban in the military]. The Women’s Review of Books, XXI(8), 22-3.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2004). Symposium: Translating Theory into Methodology: The Intersection of Sociologies and Psychologies. Canadian Psychology/ Psychologie canadienne, 45(2a), 135.
Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., Brazier, B., Hughes, J. Brazier, B.C.S., Arseneault, R., MacAulay, S., & Lynne Thériault (2004). Keeping it confidential: A struggle for Transition Houses. In M.L. Stirling, C. A. Cameron, N. Nason-Clark, & B. Miedema (Eds). Understanding Abuse: Partnering for Change (85 – 108). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2003). Part-time disabled lesbian passing on roller blades or PMS, Prozac, and essentializing woman’s ailments. Women & Therapy, 26, 95 – 108. (Also published as a chapter of an edited book by Banks, M. E., & Kaschak, E. Women with Visible and Invisible Disabilities: Multiple Intersections, Multiple Issues, Multiple Therapies. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press).
Gouliquer, L., (2001). Introduction: Women and the Canadian Military Special Collection. Atlantis: A Women’s Studies Journal, 26(1).
Gouliquer, L., (2001). What Gay Servicewomen can tell us about the gender order. Proceedings of Feminisms Challenge the Traditional Discipline: A Colloquium in Honour of Peta Tancred. Montréal, Québec: McGill Centre for Research on Teaching and Women.
Gouliquer, L., (2000). Negotiating Sexuality: Lesbians in the Canadian Military. In B. Miedema, J. Stoppard, & V. Anderson (Eds.), Women's Bodies/Women's Lives: The Social and the Material (pp 254-276). Toronto: Sumach Press.
Gouliquer, L., (2000). Pandora's Box: The Paradox of Flexibility in Today's Workplace. Current Sociology, 48(1), 29-42.
Poulin, M. B. C., Ross, L., Gouliquer, L., Fox, B., Thériault, L., Arseneault, R., Wuest, J., Merritt-Gray, M., Root, A., Flowers, L.(1995). An evaluation and summary of the accumulated “Monthly Reporting Form”: Usage of New Brunswick transition houses. Report submitted to the Department of Health and Community Services and available to the public. (pp. 38) (also available in French)
Recent Scholarly Presentations:
Burdett, F., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018 - Accepted). Culture of corrections: The experiences of women correctional officers. Feminist Criminology. 74th The American Society of Criminology’s (ASC) Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA (November 14-17).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., Young, P., & Moore, A. (2018). Cultural protection against the internalising of the schema of the older adult as frail and burdensome. International Federation on Ageing (IFA)14th Global Conference on Ageing, Towards a Decade of Healthy Ageing. Toronto, ON (August 8-10).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Research matters! Making a difference with social science data. Preaching to the Choir: An International LGBTQ Psychology Conference (A Pre-Conference to the International Congress of Applied Psychology), Montreal, Qc. (June 24-25).
Moore, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2018). Respecting the secular: Non-religious outlooks among older adults. The 35th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, Fredericton, New Brunswick, (May 16 – 18).
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Feeling like the outsider: Othering of women firefighters in Canada. The 35th Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference: Creating, Negotiating, and Transcending Social Boundaries in Everyday Life. Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 16-18.
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2018). Health implications of othering: A study of women firefighters in Canada. The Faculty of Nursing's 23rd Annual Research Day, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada (May 11).
Gouliquer, L., Young, P., Poulin, C., Chen, C-F., & Moore, A. (2018). The poesy of aging: Listening to our elders. Laurentian Research Week, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON (March 19-22).
Moore, A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Women firefighters face increased physical and psychological health risks due to marginalised status. The 9th Annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference, Moncton, NB, (1-2 November).
Gouliquer, L., Young, P., Poulin, C., Chen, C-F., & Moore, A. (2017). Rhymes and rhythms of aging: Attending to the voices of the exceptionally old. Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG2017): Evidence for Action in an Aging World, Winnipeg, Manitoba (October 19-21).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Mabey, A.K., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Institutionalized Discrimination: How Social Assistance functions to keep Single Mothers ‘On The System’. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
McWilliams, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2017). Othering of Volunteer and Full-time Female Firefighters in Canada. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Young, P., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2017). How patriarchy and neoliberalism shape the experience of commercial home-care for the 90+ year old recipient. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Moore, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2017). Extra-nuclear family members: Pet ownership as ersatz family among the very elderly. Symposium: New Rules, Same Results: Institutions Shaping the Everyday Realities of the Marginalised. 78th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, June 8-10.
Chen, C.-F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2016). Getting prescriptions in Taiwan health care system: How the duration (length) of prescription for chronic disease medications complicates the lives of oldest-old 85+. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Sixth Interdisciplinary Conference. Norrköping, Sweden (5 - 6 October).
Poulin, C., Chen, C.-F., & Gouliquer, L. (2016). Implicit and explicit gender division in long-term care: A comparison between Taiwan and Canada. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Sixth Interdisciplinary Conference. Norrköping, Sweden (5 - 6 October).
Lesmana, M., Poulin, C., Gouliquer, L., Hamilton, H. (2016). Female firefighters in leadership roles: “There’s no line up for the washrooms!” Poster-presentation at the 77th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, Canada, June 9 - 11.
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., Moore, A., & Pineau, C. (2016) Disrupting Ageist Stereotypes with I-Poem poetics: Turning Old on its Head! The 33rd Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, St. Catharines, ON, (11 - 13 May).
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2015). Aging, Women, and Firefighting: Just like oil and water! Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Fifth Interdisciplinary Conference. Washington, DC (5 - 6 November).
Mabey, A., Webb, K., Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2015). Women’s Experiences Negotiating the Dual Role of Mother and Student in Canadian Universities. Workshop given at the Section on Women & Psychology Institute; Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Ottawa, Ontario, 2 June.
Lesmana, M., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L., (2015). The experience of female firefighters: Confronting Ageism and Sexism. Poster-presentation at the 76th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Canada, June 3-6.
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Older Adults, Neoliberalism, and the Replaceable/Disposable Family. Atlantic Centre for Qualitative Research & Analysis: Qualitative Luncheon, St. Thomas University. Fredericton, NB (21 November).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Experiences of the exceptionally old living in New Brunswick: Friends, ageism, and health. 6th Annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference. Delta Beausejour Moncton, NB (13 -14 – November).
Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., & Lesmana, M. (2014). What Do Pets Have to Do with It? Understanding the Ninety-plus Year Olds in the Neoliberal Era. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference: Fourth Interdisciplinary Conference. Manchester, UK (7 - 8 November).
Mabey, A., Gouliquer, L., Poulin, C., (2014). It’s just a roof over our heads: Housing Issues of Single Mothers on Social Assistance in New Brunswick, The 31st Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference, London, ON, (25-27 June).
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). “Crossing Personal Boundaries: The Experience of Breastfeeding in New Brunswick Hospitals”, 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Silva, C.F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). Formal and informal care: What do Brazilian and Canadian elders have to say? 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014, June). Physical consequences of being old and their impact on independence and social life. 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). Boundaries of aging: How you feel about it and how I feel about it! 31th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Brescia University, London, ON (25-27 June).
Lesmana, M., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). How does neoliberalism influence the 4th age? Experiences of people aged 90 and over. Poster-presentation at the 75th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, Canada, June 5.
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2014). “Giving Birth in New Brunswick: How Labour Induction Practices Complicate Women’s Experiences”, 75th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Vancouver, Canada, June 7.
Mabey, A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2014). “Poverty without Hope: The Experiences of Single Mothers Living on Social Assistance in New Brunswick, Canada,” The 75th Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Vancouver, Canada, June 5.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2013). A Crisis in Health Care: Rhetoric Versus the Lived-Reality of Rural Seniors. Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference, Chicago, IL, USA (8-9 November).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2013). A Feminist Interdisciplinary Methodology: The Psycho-Social Ethnography of the Commonplace (P-SEC). 29th Qualitative Analysis Conference – Ottawa, 23-25 May, 2013.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2013). Aging at home in rural New Brunswick: “Essentialising” the role of family networks. 74th Canadian Psychological Association convention, Québec City, Qc (June 13-15).
Webb, K., Burdett, F., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2013). Giving Birth in New Brunswick: How the Medical Institution Shapes the experience of Women. 74th Canadian Psychological Association convention, Québec City, Qc (June 13-15).
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2012). Vieillir chez soi : La voix des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick
Aging at home: The voices of rural New Brunswick Seniors. The 4th annual New Brunswick Health Research Conference: The dream of future generations – The challenge of our generation, Nov. 7-8, 2012, Fredericton, NB.
Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2012). A thriving military lesbian community during the witch hunt of the 80s? Shedding light on resilience in the face of marginalisation. Section on Women and Psychology Institute (Canadian Psychological Association), Halifax, NS.
Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2012). The Psycho-social ethnography of the commonplace (P-SEC): A semi-structured qualitative approach to feminist research. 73rd Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Halifax, NS.
Moore, J. A., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C.(2010). Health consequences of institutional discrimination: Gay men serving in the pre-1992 Canadian Armed Forces. 71st Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Winnipeg, MB.
McCutcheon, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2010). Both sides of the spectrum: Gay and lesbian soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces. 71st Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Convention. Winnipeg, MB.
McCutcheon, J., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Policing masculinity and femininity: Health consequences for gay and lesbian soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces. Sexual and Gender Diversity vulnerability and Resilience (SVR) Conference, Montreal, QC.
Moore, J. A., Poulin, C., & Gouliquer, L. (2009). Partners of Canadian lesbian soldiers: Examining the military family social support system. 70th Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Montréal, Qc.
McCutcheon, J., Gouliquer, L., & Poulin, C. (2009). Sports and Soldiering: Examining servicewomen’s experiences with military sports. 70th Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) convention, Montréal, Qc.
My name is Caroline De Freitas Silva. In 2013, I came to UNB as an international student, sponsored by the Brazilian program Science without Borders - CNPq (Ciencias sem Fronteiras - CNPq). During the Summer, I completed my research internship in the P-SEC Lab. I am training to become a Psychologist, doing so in the Faculty of Science. This Summer (2014), I have returned to the P-SEC lab for a three-month research internship. This is a funded Globalink Research Internships.
In Brazil, I have completed research projects on children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as well as on the elderly, and retirement. This work is part of the Laboratory of Instrumentation and Psychological Assessment (LABIAP - UFRB). From 2011-2012, I was sponsored by my University in Brazil (Federal University of Reconcavo of Bahia - UFRB) to validate my scale about Self-efficacy for Elderly Retired People Social Engagement.
During my internships in the P-SEC Lab, I am learning about qualitative methods, and more specifically, about the P-SEC methodology. This methodology seems to be a really interesting way of exploring the point of view and the reality of marginalized populations. This approach would be really useful in investigating the realities of people in Brazil, which might be quite different than the people here in Canada. At the end of my internships, I hope to be able to develop projects using P-SEC in my country to contribute to the scientific body of knowledge.
In 2014, I made a life-changing decision to quit a viable career and pursue a passion. In the 1990s I attended the University of Guelph in Ontario, but did not complete my undergrad due to some adversities endured by most single mothers. In my forties, I decided that I was not fulfilled, and it was time to complete my education.
]Now I am a 2016 Dean's Scholar at the University of New Brunswick and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree, honouring in psychology. In the future, I am interested in working with women; in particular, aging women. I also have a strong interest in Positive Psychology. My overall aspiration is to establish a non-profit organization that transforms communities by empowering women and offering services that are neglected by existing social programs.
Working with the P-SEC research team has taught me about the contributions of qualitative research in understanding the realities of marginalized people. Through hours of transcribing and coding interviews, I realized the time involved in the qualitative research process. Of particular interest was an interview I studied of an interviewee for the team’s research project on Resilience and Exceptionally Old Adults (90+). It was a unique window into the private life of a woman who had a rich experience. Finally, the exceptional camaraderie, genuine interest in my success, and selfless guidance I received by all team members.
Psychology is much larger than curing mental illness or curing diseases. I think it's about bringing out the best in people, it's about positive institutions; it's about strength of character. [Martin Seligman]