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New research from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia suggests that most psychological research assumes that their samples are ergodic, meaning that inferences about individuals are made based on aggregated values of group behaviors. The researchers analyzed three highly cited journals in clinical, educational, and cognitive psychology and found that the ergodic fallacy was prevalent in the majority of the papers. The prevalence of this error was highest in cognitive psychology papers, but still high in all fields. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the reporting of research findings and the validity of theories in psychology. [Extracted from the article]

A recent systematic review conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia examined the effectiveness of Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH) in treating late-life depression in older adults with cognitive impairment. The review included twelve papers from seven independent studies, involving a total of 579 older adults with multiple comorbidities. The findings suggest that PATH may lead to immediate reductions in depression symptoms and small improvements in disability compared to other treatments. However, the overall quality of evidence was characterized by bias, inconsistency, and imprecision in effect estimates. The researchers recommend further rigorous research with follow-up assessments to consolidate the effectiveness of PATH. [Extracted from the article]

A systematic review conducted by researchers at the University of Adelaide aimed to summarize current research, assess the quality of evidence, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeting the psychological well-being (PWB) of carers of people with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Thirteen papers were included in the review, but the studies suffered from methodological problems, limiting the interpretability of the data. The review highlighted a lack of quality research in this area and emphasized the need for high-quality and carefully designed studies to develop effective interventions for the PWB of MND carers. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia have developed a 10-item core clinician experience measure (CEM-10) to assess the experiences of clinicians providing care in value-based healthcare (VBHC) initiatives. The CEM-10 consists of four domains: psychological safety, quality of care, clinician engagement, and interprofessional collaboration. The tool was validated through psychometric analysis and demonstrated good reliability. The CEM-10 can be used to compare clinician experiences across cohorts and can be embedded within evaluations of VBHC initiatives. This research contributes to the field of value-based healthcare. [Extracted from the article]

New research from Southern Cross University in Coolangatta, Australia explores consumer behavior towards plant-based and meat-reduced diets. The study aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand the factors influencing consumer acceptance of these diets. The researchers conducted a literature review of 107 studies and proposed an alternative model that captures the relationships between different consumer dietary types, psychological discomfort, and the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior) framework. The proposed model may provide valuable insights for practitioners and future researchers interested in understanding the factors influencing consumer behavior in transitioning to plant-based and meat-reduced diets. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia discusses the limitations of current psychological research on transgender experiences. The research argues that the traditional definitions of "transgender," "sex," and "gender" in psychology have led to a pathologization of transgender individuals and a failure to account for non-normative and non-binary transition pathways. The report suggests that a focus on contextualized transgender experiences, rather than the idea of a "true" gender, could provide a more comprehensive understanding. The research concludes that transgender experiences are those that challenge the dominant binary understanding of gender. This research has been peer-reviewed and is published in the British Journal of Psychology. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Technology Sydney discusses research findings on the use of suggested prices to enhance the profitability of pay what you want (PWYW) strategies. The study conducted five experiments to explore the impact of suggested prices on buyers' payments. The results showed that a higher suggested price led to increased payments, and this relationship was mediated by cost estimation. However, when a charitable element was present, increasing the suggested price did not stimulate higher payments. The research suggests that sellers using PWYW could use suggested prices to provide cost information, but it may not be suitable for products with a charitable component. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia explores the association between evaluating a romantic partner as deviating from relationship ideals and a form of self-regulatory behavior called accommodation in romantic relationships. The researchers conducted two studies, one with 450 individuals and another with 116 couples, and found that when relationship commitment was high, a negative-ideal partner discrepancy was associated with more accommodation. These findings provide new insights into understanding accommodation behavior in romantic relationships. The research has been peer-reviewed and can be accessed through the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Murdoch University in Perth, Australia explored the experiences of Australian men who have sex with men (MSM) using dating apps. The study found that dating apps are popular among MSM as they provide a perceived safe space for exploring their sexuality with reduced risk of discrimination and violence. However, the study also identified concerns such as exposure to non-traditional relationship models, commodification of dating, and safety issues including online harassment and predatory behaviors. The researchers recommend that dating apps increase security measures to ensure a safe space for LGBTQIA+ users. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia discusses research on psychology and personality in the context of collective action. The study explores different subgroups of people involved in collective action, such as activists, sympathizers, and radicals, and examines the methods used to distinguish between them. The research highlights the importance of person-centered statistical approaches in understanding and explaining the dynamics of collective action. The study concludes that these approaches are valuable in social psychological research on collective action and complement variable-centered approaches. The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Social and Personality Psychology Compass journal. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers from Edith Cowan University in Joondalup, Australia, explores the psychological needs of mid-career students in post-graduate courses and how these needs can impact motivation and retention. The study gathered data from 26 Master of Teaching mid-career students, analyzing their perspectives on how the university supported or hindered their psychological needs. The findings indicated that students desired more control over the pace of their course and that workload issues during professional experience eroded their teacher-efficacy. The research concludes with recommendations on how to support mid-career retention. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, presents a study on the predictive validity of three risk assessment instruments for women who perpetrate intimate partner abuse (IPA). The study evaluated 410 female IPA perpetrators using the Victoria Police Screening Assessment for Family Violence Risk (VP-SAFvR), the Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk (B-SAFER), and a modified version of the Lethality Screen. The results showed that the VP-SAFvR and B-SAFER had indicators of effective discrimination and predictive validity, while the Modified Lethality Screen had mixed results. The study suggests that these instruments function consistently for both men and women identified by police as perpetrating family or intimate partner abuse. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the University of Technology Sydney explores the effectiveness of an online course aimed at improving healthcare professionals' understanding of distress screening for people with prostate cancer. The study found that the e-learning course increased learners' knowledge of distress screening, with statistically significant improvements in several areas. Participants reported high satisfaction with the course content and structure. The research suggests that online courses can offer effective and feasible education on distress screening for prostate cancer. [Extracted from the article]

A scoping review conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne explores the concept of "crafting," which refers to intentional and proactive behavioral or cognitive changes individuals make to satisfy their psychological needs. The review examines the relationship between crafting and the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, relatedness, and meaning in life. The researchers found that autonomy and meaning in life were frequently related to the crafting process, while competence and relatedness were less researched. The study concludes with recommendations for future research in this area. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Victoria, Australia discusses the topic of chronic temporomandibular disorder (cTMD), a condition characterized by non-mechanical association without an obvious organic cause. The study explores the association between neural and psychological pathways in cTMD patients, highlighting the increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system. While genetic susceptibility to pain and various genes associated with the nervous and musculoskeletal systems are believed to play a role, environmental triggers and epigenetic changes are also thought to contribute to cTMD development. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing biological, psychological, and social factors in cTMD assessment and management. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia explored the use of creative engagement to facilitate experiences of flourishing in participants' lives. The study, titled "Spiralling Engagement Experiences of Creativity (SEEC)," used concepts from Poetic Inquiry to generate poetry/lyrics that told individual stories. Participants engaged with their own positive personal stories to create artwork that reminded them of ways to interpret their lives. The SEEC process has the potential for use in various contexts where a deliberate research and arts-making framework would be helpful for exploring a phenomenon of inquiry. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup, Australia, explores the impact of positive and negative psychological affect and overconfidence from major family events on the survival of new ventures. The study utilizes panel data from the Australian Household, Income and Labor Dynamics survey and finds that positive family events interacting with overconfidence have a greater negative impact on new venture survival than negative events. This research enhances our understanding of the role of family in the entrepreneurial process and challenges previous findings. The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Monash University in Clayton, Australia discusses the findings of a study on initiatives for promoting educator wellbeing. The study used the Delphi approach, which gathers expert opinions, to identify key characteristics required in prospective educator wellbeing initiatives. The research highlighted the importance of positive relationships, the role of wellbeing teams, and the need for leaders to address their own wellbeing. The study concludes that applying the consensus derived from this research can make wellbeing initiatives more viable and facilitate uptake among educators. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia discusses the need for a more comprehensive understanding of student wellbeing in secondary education. The researchers argue that focusing solely on individuals' psychological health is insufficient and that wellbeing should be viewed from a relational perspective. They specifically examine the concept of "being-well-in-relationships" in the context of Chinese students' wellbeing. The research concludes that wellbeing involves both fitting in and actively pursuing personal development within interconnected relationships. This study has been peer-reviewed and provides valuable insights into the cultural politics of education. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Western Australia proposes a new approach to mediation called mentalizing-inspired mediation (MBT-M). The researchers suggest that this approach can help parties involved in disputes to understand and recover from impaired mentalizing, which can hinder conflict resolution. The study outlines the MBT-M model and its potential to guide mediation interventions, research, and scholarship. The research has been peer-reviewed and offers a scientifically grounded framework for mediation practice. For more information, readers can contact the University of Western Australia. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Parkville, Australia discusses the importance of psychiatric genetic counseling and educational resources in the management of psychiatric disorders. The study found that individuals with psychiatric disorders and their relatives tend to overestimate risk and express concerns about reproductive decision-making. However, they also perceive genetic counseling and educational resources as useful and empowering. The research suggests that the findings can inform the development of genetics-based educational resources or guide future research in this field. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the Australian National University explores the religious coping strategies and psychological impact on women following the 2023 earthquakes in Syria. The study found that women reported higher endorsement of positive religious coping (PRC) items, while men reported higher endorsement of negative religious coping (NRC) items. Lower education and income, as well as younger age, predicted PRC and NRC in women. NRC was strongly associated with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, while PRC was only associated with PTSD. The research suggests that targeted support is needed to help these vulnerable women adopt more adaptive religious coping strategies. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report discusses research conducted by the University of South Australia on the development of an online intervention called "Just Run" aimed at promoting ongoing running participation. The intervention was designed based on a six-step process and incorporated input from runners, coaches, and experts in physical activity and behavior change. The intervention consists of ten modules delivered over twelve weeks and includes videos, testimonials, and activities to address key themes such as goal setting, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, social support, and overcoming barriers to running. The research concludes that further investigation is needed to support the implementation of the intervention to a wider community. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Melbourne discusses the impacts of Australia's first residential peer-support service for individuals at risk of suicide. The study found that psychological distress significantly improved after the intervention and at follow-up. Participants reported improvements in mental well-being, feelings of connectedness, respite, and confidence to engage with other services. The study suggests that residential peer-support services could be a valuable alternative to conventional inpatient treatment for individuals at risk of suicide. However, it is important to note that the study did not include a control group, the sample size was relatively small, and participants may have provided socially desirable answers. [Extracted from the article]

A recent research study conducted at the University of Wollongong in Australia has explored enactive approaches to psychiatry, which focus on understanding psychiatric conditions through relational interactions between individuals and their environments. The goal of these approaches is to integrate a naturalistic understanding of psychiatric conditions with their broader sociocultural dimensions. The study examines the potential for enactive models to assess social norms using Canguilhem's distinction between health and pathology, arguing that this conceptualization provides a tool for social integration that complements enactive approaches to psychiatry. The research has been peer-reviewed and is available for further exploration. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Adelaide in Australia discusses the findings of a clinical trial comparing two techniques for fetal surveillance during childbirth. The trial aimed to determine if one technique, ST analysis (STan), could reduce emergency cesarean birth rates while maintaining or improving neonatal outcomes. The study also examined the psychosocial outcomes of participants, including depression, psychological distress, quality of life, and infant feeding practices. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of psychosocial outcomes, suggesting that both monitoring types produced similar results. The findings provide valuable information for making informed decisions about monitoring options in childbirth. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, highlights the underrepresentation of infants in mainstream family therapy. The researchers argue that infants' social capacities and contributions to family dynamics are often overlooked in therapeutic contexts. They emphasize the importance of including infants in family therapy and advocate for a shift towards infant inclusion as the norm. The study calls for further research, training, and practice to better understand and incorporate the unique contributions of infants to family life. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Australian Catholic University explored the concept of flourishing in positive education and its relationship to Aristotelian eudaimonia. The study analyzed the writings of 226 adolescents, 93 of whom attended a school that implemented positive education. The findings revealed that both groups of students emphasized relationships, emotions, and accomplishments, but did not prioritize moral goodness and virtue. The implications of these findings for positive education and its role in nurturing flourishing are discussed. The research has been peer-reviewed and can be accessed through the Australian Educational Researcher. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Australia explores the potential benefits of incorporating infant observation training into family therapy practice. The researchers argue that training in infant observation, which focuses on the subjective experience of infants, can greatly enhance the work of family therapists. They provide examples from their own practice and suggest ways in which infant observation could be integrated into family therapy training and practice. The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Tasmania discusses the use of serotonergic psychedelics and related substances as adjuncts in substance-assisted psychotherapy (SAPT) for treating various disorders. The report focuses on the integration phase of SAPT, which involves applying insights from psychedelic experiences to everyday life. The researchers conducted a systematic review of the literature and found that there is limited research on the most appropriate therapeutic approach during SAPT. They concluded that further investigation into different therapeutic frameworks for integration sessions is needed. [Extracted from the article]

A report from the University of Sydney discusses the protocol for the My Diet Study, a two-part observational study on dieting in Australian youth. The study aims to examine the links between self-directed dieting, psychological well-being, and biomarkers of gut-brain axis functions. Participants will complete questionnaires and diaries to assess mental and physical health, perceived diet success, and food intake. A subsample of participants will also provide bio-samples for analysis. The study hopes to provide information on the impacts and effectiveness of self-directed dieting in young people and inform advice on safety in dieting. [Extracted from the article]