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Research on attitudes towards asexual people is a relatively new focus within the discipline of psychology, and to date has not been a topic of focus in the Australian context. This study focused on Australian undergraduate psychology students, and their attitudes towards asexual people. The study recruited 231 participants from undergraduate psychology programmes to complete an online survey assessing their attitudes towards asexual people, bias against single people, and gender ideologies. In addition, participants rated how comfortable and confident they felt about working with asexual people within mental health settings in the future. Participants who reported greater endorsement of traditional gender role ideology, and negative bias against singles, also reported greater levels of anti-asexual bias. Participants who hoped to pursue a career in psychology reported lower levels of anti-asexual bias and less negative attitudes towards single people, and reported moderate levels of both comfort in working with asexual people in the future, and capacity to provide safe care to asexual people in the future. Drawing on these findings, the paper concludes by discussing areas that require ongoing attention in the study of anti-asexual bias, and makes recommendations for the training of psychology students and clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Where one sibling has a disability, research has examined the role of disability in sibling relationships; however, the majority has reflected a normative understanding of sibling relationships and a deficit understanding of disability. Reacting to this history, this paper draws on the concepts of embodiment (absorption of bodily experience into self/identity) and enactment (performance of self/identity) to provide a new way of understanding the role of disability in sibling relationships. Using data from an Australian study of young adult siblings with and without disabilities, the paper discusses how disability is embodied and enacted in: how siblings engage in supportive and conflictual talk and everyday chat with each other; how they enact recreation and seek connection with each other; and how they strive to understand and experience their emotions about each other. The paper ends by discussing how embodiment and enactment allow a clearer understanding of disability in sibling relationships, which may be empowering for siblings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how young people of diverse genders and sexualities share information about sex, sexualities and genders. Formal approaches to education often fail to consider young people’s communication and information exchange practices, including the circulation of peer knowledge through social media. In the wake of recent Australian backlash against the Safe Schools Coalition, we can observe how homophobia and queerphobia in the broader community can impact upon young peoples’ ability to learn about themselves and their bodies through formal education. Yet young people of diverse genders and sexualities can be observed to support each other in peer spaces, utilising their knowledge networks. This paper explores young people’s informal learning practices, the capacity of peer networks to support and educate young people, and the challenges of recognising such networks in a culture in which health and education discourses present them as ‘risk subjects’ rather than ‘health agents’. These issues are discussed in relation to our own experiences in research and health promotion, including one author’s role as a youth peer educator. Drawing on our workplace experiences, we provide a number of anecdotal examples which highlight the complexities of informal knowledge practice and information circulation, and the ways these can challenge and reform professional health, education, and research approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper assesses whether, in an age of social and cultural globalisation, place-specific cultural differences continue to exist between domestic Australian and international Asian university students, resulting in divergent leisure patterns among these populations. The paper is based on a survey of the leisure behaviour of Australian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Korean, and Singaporean students enrolled at the University of Queensland, Australia. A total of 126 domestic students and 191 international students took part in the study. Analysis of the data shows there are some significant differences and similarities in the leisure behaviour of the students from the seven nationalities selected. These results indicate the existence of place-specific, nationally based cultures that influence leisure behaviour even when people are away from their home country. In addition, a student culture that cuts across national boundaries, creating behavioural similarities between different nationalities in the process, appears to exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increased diversification of Australian families, the nuclear family formed through reproductive heterosex continues to be treated as the norm. This paper argues that this norm impacts negatively upon families formed in other ways, by exposing them to increased scrutiny. Drawing on interviews with 60 participants from four cohorts (families formed through reproductive heterosex, intercountry adoption, long-term foster care, or surrogacy), a comparative thematic analysis is presented in which two key themes are elaborated: (1) the impact of government policies and practices, and (2) the degree to which families are treated as public property. Findings suggest that families formed through reproductive heterosex were the least regulated and scrutinised; families formed through either adoption or surrogacy received a considerable degree of regulation and scrutiny; and foster families were the most scrutinised and negatively impacted by government policies. The paper concludes by considering what is required to engender more inclusive and supportive responses to all families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The war for talent, whereby skilled workers move between countries, continues to remain a global issue. This paper is informed by the human resource management (HRM) literature on global careers of skilled migrants and their cross-cultural adjustment and well-being. These literatures draw on human capital theory to understand skilled migration. In this paper, a case study of Western Australia's answer to addressing skills shortages by employing skilled migrant workers through temporary skilled migration schemes (employer-sponsored) situates the discussion within the role of HRM. Temporary skilled migrants are vulnerable in that they can experience a number of stressors, including long periods of separation from their loved ones, commencing a new job in an alien environment and resettlement tasks. The paper makes a contribution in utilising Al Ariss and Syed's (2011) model of human capital drawing on social, cultural, economic and symbolic forms of currency for temporary skilled migrants. This group is not homogenous in that they all draw on these aspects of human capital in varying ways. By addressing the gaps, HRM can add value in providing assimilation strategies for temporary migrant workers that supports retention and ensures improved worker well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: In spite of the healthy immigrant effect, the prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases among migrants is reported to approximate that of the host country with longer duration of stay. For example, higher rates of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension have been observed among Filipino migrants and these have been linked to acculturation. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Filipino-Australian migrants in managing their chronic health conditions in a Western host country. Design: This paper reports on qualitative findings of a mixed methods study that used an explanatory sequential design. Nine focus group discussions were undertaken with 58 Filipino-Australian migrants with chronic disease. Thematic analysis was undertaken using a five-stage general purpose thematic framework ensuring that themes closely identified key participants’ experiences. Results: Findings revealed that health benefits provided by the health system in Australia were considered advantageous. However, a lack of social and instrumental support compounded isolation and disempowerment, limiting self-management strategies for chronic illnesses. Cultural beliefs and practices influenced their knowledge, attitude to and management of chronic disease, which health service providers overlooked because of perceived acculturation and English language skills. Overall this study has clearly identified recognition of cultural beliefs, language needs and support as three core needs of Filipino-Australian migrants with the elderly the most vulnerable. Conclusion: This paper highlights that self-management of chronic disease among elderly Filipino immigrants may be adversely affected by host language difficulties, a lack of social support and cultural issues, impacting on access to services, health-seeking behaviours and participation in health promotion initiatives. Language, culture-specific health interventions and resources and enhancing social support are likely important strategies in promoting chronic disease self-management among the elderly. These interventions have the potential to empower and encourage individuals to take control and better manage their chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:In 2013, the Australian Government Senate formed a committee for inquiry and report into the prevalence of speech, language, and communication disorders and speech pathology services in Australia. Submissions were sought from individuals and organisations. In this paper, submissions made by individuals with a history of childhood communication disorder were examined to explore their life experiences and the impact on their lives when the right to communicate could not be enacted. Method:There were 305 submissions to the Australian Government Senate Committee Inquiry, of which 288 were publically accessible. In this study, the submissions (n = 17) from children or adults with a history of communication disorder (including speech, language and stuttering), who provided personal accounts of their experiences, were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Result:Four themes emerged relating to: personal identity, life with communication disorder, the importance of help, and how life would be different without a communication disorder. Conclusions:This paper gives voice to children and adults with communication disorder. In listening to these voices, the impact of communication disorder on the right to communicate and on other human rights can be heard, and the need for a response is clear. However, the challenge is to determine how the voices of these individuals, and others like them, can be enabled to exert real influence on practice and policy so communication disorder will no longer be a barrier to attainment of their human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing ( SEWB) is a multifaceted concept that acknowledges that a person's wellbeing is determined by a range of inter-related domains: body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, Country, and spirituality. This paper explores the meaning of these seven domains of SEWB. Method A thematic analysis of qualitative data obtained from the National Empowerment Project (NEP) was conducted, along with a literature review of each domain. Results Findings from the NEP, together with relevant literature, indicate that implementing strategies that focus on strengthening SEWB is important for individual, family, and community wellbeing. Addressing the social determinants of Indigenous disadvantage is also shown to have an important role in strengthening the SEWB of individuals, families, and communities. Conclusion It is important for all practitioners and policymakers involved with improving Indigenous health to recognise the seven inter-related domains of SEWB and to acknowledge and support people in addressing the social determinants of wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Indigenous health matters have largely been neglected in the speech-language pathology literature and have particular import for the aphasia clinician. The influence of culture on people’s experiences and expectations after an event such as stroke can vary widely and there is a need to understand the impact of context on assessment and therapy. Standard approaches may not be adequate or relevant, nor always ethical to apply. Examination of aphasia in contexts with Indigenous populations provides an opportunity to explore methods and approaches with socially complex and marginalised communities and to expand our understanding of the lived experience of aphasia. Aims:The goal of this paper is to explore the role of culture in aphasia in Indigenous populations and drawing from a body of emerging research, highlight relevant dimensions of understanding and practice for the aphasia clinician. Main Contribution:A series of qualitative studies undertaken with Indigenous people with aphasia in two separate contexts – Australia and South Africa – will be described and their findings considered along several dimensions. A consideration of methods of approach and understanding will be provided, followed by discussion of some central constructs. A series of conceptual and clinical propositions for culturally safe research and practice in aphasia will be derived from this evidence. Models of collaboration are derived which are decolonising and potentially transformative and supplement models of knowledge and intervention in a local community. Particular attention is paid to temporal and spatial issues, the role of family, identity and community, the notion of resilience in such communities and addressing some of the specific challenges that may be involved such as working with cultural brokers. A series of recommendations is provided which allows for a critical engagement with interdisciplinary frameworks of understanding aphasia in context. Conclusion:As a reflective piece, this paper has enabled a collation of knowledge about aphasia in two Indigenous cultures and has helped consolidate some novel principles and insights and the need for expanded skills, attitudes, insights, explanations and methodologies – ones that acknowledge and accommodate diversity and difference, and that are relevant to Indigenous communities. Language difficulties are only one cause of social exclusion and issues such as poverty and identity make a huge impact on the lives of our clients and their families, and on the approach we adopt. A shift from the primary framework of our profession is required to accommodate the central role of culture in communication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

My response to Kathleen McPhillips’s paper focuses on the pervasiveness of vicarious trauma for those working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Attempts to avoid the impact of vicarious trauma may in fact lead to denial, dissociation, or amnesia. Cultural trauma, as unearthed by the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Commission, can also be linked with the wider theme of Australia’s history of migration. Migrants who came to Australia fleeing various forms of trauma, have, at times, felt betrayed by the new country. This sense of betrayal is compounded if, for example, institutional sexual abuse suffered by their offspring, is ignored or denied. The abuse suffered by children in Australian institutions has led to trauma on both personal and cultural levels. Healing, therefore, may require both individual help, and ethical responsiveness on a more collective level. The Royal Commission serves to provide a container for its examination. Such public recognition is but one step in processes of reparation that need to take place on individual and cultural levels. McPhillips’s work may also serve as a vital part of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The development of a strong and vibrant knowledge economy is linked directly to successful learning outcomes among university graduates. Building evidence-based insights on graduate outcomes plays a particularly important role in shaping planning and practice. To this end, this paper analyses some key findings from the Graduate Pathways Survey, the first national study in Australia of bachelor degree graduates' outcomes five years after course completion. It focuses on the outcomes of graduates from disadvantaged groups, people of particular significance in an expanding and increasingly important higher education system. After advancing the rational for this analysis, the paper sketches the overall research approach. The paper continues with an analysis of education and employment outcomes for the target groups, and concludes by summarising implications for building further research insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly ubiquitous references to night-time economy within urban revitalisation agendas mark the concept as a standard component in a globally circulating 'post-industrial city' script. The merit of the concept rests upon an assumed capacity for diverse and vibrant nightlife to contribute to urban quality of life and city marketability. Its attraction to cities seeking to expand the profitability and utility of the spectacular landscapes of consumption established along waterfront and within inner-city locales reclaimed from post-industrial disuse are readily apparent. However, only certain kinds of nightlife convey the prerequisite cultural sophistication necessary for making a 'correct' contribution to the desired city image. Consequently, nightlife is cast as a site of problematic behaviour and nightlife policy settings aimed at shifting the dominant cultures of night-specific consumption become implicated in demarcating the boundaries of appropriate activity. This paper examines these themes with respect to Newcastle, Australia. Through an analysis of the representations of nightlife cultures in local policy and planning, this paper argues that a significant contributor to the sense of crisis permeating Newcastle's after-dark urban culture has been the entanglement of nightlife in urban renewal and city re-imaging processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the psychosocial impact of being diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The paper clarifies some of the key misconceptions about the virus, especially the impact HCV has on people who have been recently diagnosed. An individual's reaction to the HCV diagnosis and the subsequent lifestyle challenges to maintain health, well-being, family, and social networks are discussed, particularly the issues surrounding mental health in respect to a recent chronic illness diagnosis and how to manage the trajectory of the illness in the community and individually. HCV disclosure and its effect on intimacy are also detailed. For people living with both a diagnosed mental illness and HCV, managing the illness can be complicated. Not only are these individuals concerned about their mental illness, its treatment, and the social stigma and discrimination associated with it, they also may be alarmed over their future physical health. The paper is preliminary to research using the psychotherapeutic approach of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in groups of persons with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and HCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change awareness has taken a dramatic turn in Australia, intensifying debate over the meaning of prolonged drought for rural futures, with critical implications for rural mental health. This paper is drawn from research on perceptions of Australian climate during a period of marked shift in public awareness of climate change (2004–2007). It utilises oral histories gathered in dryland farm communities of the semiarid Victorian Mallee at the edge of the nation's commercial cropping zone—in particular, the stories of women's health workers—to highlight the interdependency of environmental, economic, political and mental health concerns in rural and remote communities. Focusing on lived experience, the paper explores the narratives through which people have apprehended drought and climate change—in discourse of endurance, uncertainty and putative adaptation—revealing advocacy and local resolve in the provision of rural mental health services, and, fundamentally, a paradigm of embodiment in rural social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbols and ceremony are an important element in the formation and continuation of all societies. They enunciate the values of the citizenry or the membership of the society, and often provide the only tangible representation of those values. Furthermore, little has been written about the process of "formation" of identity of professional psychologists. One issue that has received little attention in terms of its symbolic importance as well as its capacity to aid formation concerns the development of an oath for professional psychologists. This paper considers the need for a professional oath for Australian psychologists. The concept of the professional oath is explored, and an examination of the merits of adopting a professional oath is considered. The practical issues of adopting a professional oath will then be briefly examined. The paper concludes by recommending that professional oath taking by psychologists be initiated as a matter of high priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the music practices of a group of young Australians in regard to their development, maintenance, and broadcast of a weekly, 30-minute 'youth' radio show on a community radio station in suburban Adelaide. It discusses challenges faced by the young people in terms of sourcing funding and compiling appropriate play lists. Coming out of the Australian Research Council-funded Playing for Life project, the paper addresses key questions concerning ways that informal, community-based music-related practices are a means to agency and social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sexual health problems can be pertinent to psychological function/diagnosis and psychologists are key players in treatment and education regarding sexual health. Despite this, little evidence exists to determine if sexual dysfunction is explored during routine client intake interviews, when the client does not present with relationship difficulties, or from a specialist referral for sexual dysfunction. We aimed to explore psychologists' decision-making around questioning of client sexual functioning through the lens of the Dual-Processing Model. Method: This qualitative study assessed 16 registered psychologists working within Australia who answered an online questionnaire around their beliefs and clinical experiences of sexual health practice. Results: Data was analysed using thematic analysis, revealing multiple themes favouring sexual health investigation. Main themes included risk management, relevance to clinical presentations, scope of practice, positive beliefs about asking, and competency beliefs. Primary barriers against sexual health investigation included perceived incompetence, organisational constraints, concerns around damaging rapport, sexual health not being relevant to the client's needs, and perceptions around unethical practice. Conclusions: This paper challenged the applicability of the Dual Processing Model to psychological decision-making, and suggested personal biases influence Australian psychologists' sexual health questioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne has launched a world-first app for children that will help reduce anxiety and the need for anesthesia during medical imaging procedures. The free, game-based app, “Okee in Medical Imaging”, helps children aged from four to eight years to prepare for all medical imaging procedures – X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopy. The app is designed to reduce anticipatory fear of imaging procedures, while helping to ensure that children attend imaging appointments equipped with the skills required for efficient and effective scans to be performed. This paper describes how the app was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

General career research suggests that many factors may influence how people select a career, including information about or exposure to the career. The focus of this paper is upon how exposure to a social worker personally (e.g. friend or family) or in a therapeutic capacity (e.g. received social work therapy) may influence the decision to become a social worker, when compared to other disciplines. The results showed that 63% of 64 social work students had personal and/or professional exposure to social work prior to making a career decision. When compared to other students (n = 447) the social work students were significantly more likely to have accessed social work services (themselves or a family member). The influence of a friend who was a social worker and working with a social worker was noteworthy for mature-aged students. These results highlight that every interaction social workers have with the community provides valuable information about the profession and gives insight into social work as a career. Additionally, the results suggest that the increase in numbers of social workers and the influence of that exposure to a social worker have resulted in an increase in the use of social work services by students, and may continue to rise in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aims to examine the development of personality research within Australia, from the emergence of Australian psychology to the current time. Method: The paper first identifies the central role of personality research in shaping early Australian psychology. The paper then addresses the emerging directions of Australian personality research in the post‐war years up to the end of the 20th Century. The paper then highlights the present contributions of personality research, noting both the world‐leading impact made by Australian researchers and real‐world applications of this field. Results: Australian personality research has a long history of providing important contributions to both Australian and international psychology. Future prospects and challenges related to attracting research funding for Australian research are also identified. Conclusions: Australian personality research was important for the successful emergence of Australian psychology. Present Australian personality researchers are making world‐leading impact and addressing a number of important social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the willingness to use and pay for HIV Self-testing (HIVST) among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM). Bivariate and univariate multinominal logistic regression of data from an online survey was performed. Thirty-one (13%) had never HIV tested and 41.9% (88) were testing sub-optimally by Australian guidelines. Half (58.4%, 136) had never heard of HIVST, however, 56.2% (131) reported willingness to use HIVST, with sub-optimal (OR=2.13; p < 0.01) and never-testers (OR=2.01; p < 0.10) significantly more likely to do so than optimal-testers. Most were confident (51.7%, 119) or somewhat confident (29.1%, 67) accessing support following a reactive result, however, never-testers were significantly less confident compared to previous testers (OR=3.47; p< 0.05). Less than a quarter (23.6%, 57) were willing to pay for a kit with AUD$15 (R2 = 0.9882) the estimated preferred price. This research confirms that HIVST is an important and accepted adjunct to established HIV testing modalities, particularly among sub-optimal and never-testers and that online (61.6%, 143) or clinic-based (61.6%, 143) dissemination are preferred. Research examining how best to disseminate HIVST in a range of safe and effective models needs to continue to ensure HIVST is part of a comprehensive strategy that facilitates usage and linkages to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching Aboriginal content in social work education presents risks of retraumatisation for students. There are international calls for a trauma-informed teaching model that creates cultural safety in the classroom. This study aimed to develop a trauma-informed model for social work education by reviewing the literature on cultural safety for Aboriginal peoples. This model incorporates key aspects of ensuring Aboriginal cultural safety: de-colonise social work education; collaborative partnerships; build relationships; critical reflection; develop cultural courage; and yarning and story-telling. It provides a valuable framework for creating a more equitable teaching and learning environment that also ensures the essential academic content is covered. IMPLICATIONS Trauma underlies the historical, contemporary and cultural narratives of Aboriginal peoples. Students engaging in Aboriginal content that is traumatic can mean connecting with trauma that has occurred in their own lives. Trauma-informed teaching and learning will ensure that educators create culturally safe spaces that enable students to engage well with content. The adoption of the framework proposed in this paper may lead to the creation of a culturally safe space for teaching and learning in social work education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technologies have afforded increased access to genetic testing providing valuable information for individuals and those biologically related. However, the management of such information is challenging for psychologists given the ethical issues that may arise. This paper aims to review the utility of existing ethical standards and current legislation for psychologists when encountering genetic information. Current legislation and guidelines involved in the management of genetic information applicable for psychologists is critically reviewed in light of relevant ethical principles. While knowledge of information that has arisen from genetic testing may guide psychological therapy, intervention, and education, psychologists have a responsibility to uphold their ethical obligations in order to meet the needs of their clients and their families and to prevent harm. Outside the domain of ethically approved human research, and specific guidance for trained genetic counsellors in Australia, ethical guidance on the management of human genetic information is not readily available for psychologists. Technological advances can be expected to continue to present epistemic dilemmas about the use of genetic material. The implications for future psychological practice is discussed. : What is already known about this topic: (1) Increased access to genetic testing can provide valuable information for individuals and those biologically related. (2) Genetic testing poses new and significant challenges for psychologists, especially in respect to the ethical issues that can occur. (3) Given that findings from genetic testing may guide therapy goals, interventions, and psychoeducation, psychologists have a responsibility to uphold ethical obligations in order to meet the needs of their clients and their families and to prevent harm. Yet, clear guidelines for ethical obligations regarding the handling of genetic testing are not readily available. What this topic adds: (1) Within the framework of current legislation, the four core ethical standards of beneficence, autonomy, justice, and non-maleficence work together with the APS Code of Ethics and ethical guidelines for psychologists. (2) While the use of genetic information has the potential to affect whole communities, it should be used in such a way that maintains ethical principles, meeting the needs of the individual and family. (3) It is important that ethical guidelines for genetic information in the field of psychology remain cohesive to meet the needs of rapid technological advances and changing legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the relative importance of parents and peers in supporting Australian children's use of the internet and whether those choices for support change with age and gender. The paper reports findings fromAU Kids Online, a satellite study toEU Kids Online. Parents were found to be the primary support to Australian children using the internet, with peer support increasingly important as children get older. The potential of these two key socializing influences to minimize harm and build resilience is considered in the light of other studies on Australian family internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper uses Australia as an example to view how state and social acceptance of mixedness influences a mixed race individual's life and their access to a validated identity. The study is a critical view of history's influence on modernity, which uses a data from a larger study to exemplify critical mixed race theories. Data were gathered through interviews with six mixed race individuals in Melbourne, Australia. The study found that mixedness has been problematised in salient points in Australian history, and this has resulted in a lack of appropriate terminology to accurately identify race and fully understand mixed race. Due to this, individuals in the study were afforded honorary whiteness and racial exceptionalism due to their association with whiteness and the desire of the onlooker to allocate a singular racial identity. While such exceptionalism can provide social favours, it simultaneously denies them access to their mixed race identity which leads to a superficial engagement with their 'otherness' and an inability to feel national belonging. The study argues that this is damaging to the individual, and calls upon the Australian state to honestly engage with racial plurality for the benefit of mixed race Australians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High quality mental healthcare after a suicide attempt is a key strategy for preventing subsequent suicide attempts and deaths, yet little is known about how people navigate the healthcare system following a suicide attempt. This paper focuses on the stories told by 20 people who had attempted suicide. Five themes emerged: fitting into the healthcare system; need for advocacy; consistent care; lucky to find help; and, small kindnesses. Positive and empathetic healthcare experiences, as well as connected services, assisted the recovery of people who have attempted suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to investigate the experience of home for parents and carers of children with disabilities in Australia. Data for this qualitative study were gathered using semi-structured interviews with four families living in their own homes. An inductive thematic analysis revealed two main themes. The first was titled ‘Aspects making everyday life easier’ explored the aspects of the home environment that facilitated home life for the child, including access to transport, services, family and home modifications. The second theme ‘Decisions and efforts to create opportunities for the child’ emphasized the efforts made by parents and carers to promote their child’s independence and participation including a strong consideration for their children’s future needs. The study indicated that the location of home, appropriate home modifications and planning for the future defined the experience of home for parents and carers. These findings identify some important considerations for occupational therapists when providing services in the homes of families with children who have a disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community gardens can offer a range of psychosocial benefits to individuals who utilize them including nutritional, social, psychological benefits, as well as the opportunity to become connected to nature. However, we know little about how community gardens are perceived and reasons that make people participate in community gardens in rural Australian towns. This paper addresses these issues among a group of older persons who reside in a rural Australian town. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 older persons. Findings highlighted the benefits associated with participation in a rural community garden including forming social support networks in order to cultivate social capital. Community gardens created social connectedness among the participants, which could lead to better overall health and well-being. The main reason for their initial involvement with the community garden was that they were new to the area. Joining the group to develop support networks within the local area would allow them to cultivate social capital in their new living environment. Our findings can inform government policies regarding localized food sustainability programs, which is important given the increasing popularity of such programs Australia-wide and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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While the existence of uncritical exhibition practices that support nostalgic narratives about the past cannot be denied, this paper is focused on demonstrating both the existence of critical exhibitions and on explaining how they work. In particularly, this paper looks at the ways in which the production of affective, nonrational forms of experience aimed at inducing a heightened level of engagement on the part of visitors is being used to facilitate a more critical reflection on the relationship between past and present. My examples, drawn from curatorial practices in Australia dealing either with contact histories or histories of migration, will be used to explore how explicit forms of engagement with the senses in contemporary exhibition practices gesture toward not only a new understanding of the pedagogical role of museums but also to new forms of pedagogical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores the aspirations of a group of young women in a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory of Australia. It examines how their hopes and expectations are influenced by the reality of their everyday lives and the extent to which they are able to influence the course of their lives and become agents for change in their own communities. As with adolescents in lower socio-economic groups, the majority of young women in River Town have not developed life goals or clear strategies of how to achieve these goals. The choices that young women have are constrained by their narrow range of experience, which is characterized by early pregnancies and the potential threat of male violence. However, young women have articulated specific domains where they are able to control and structure their lives. This paper discusses the experiences of young women in this remote Aboriginal community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to sport, sociology and the body literature by exploring the ‘exposure and effect’ of culture, in particular bodily practices placed on three adolescent swimmers immersed in the Australian swimming culture using an ethnographic framework. The research reported is particularly notable as it addresses two distinct time points in the swimmers’ lives. The first section explores the adolescent experiences of three female swimmers within the cultural context of Australian swimming by articulating some of the specific body practices and ‘memes’ (ideas, symbols and practices) that they were exposed to and/or engaged within relation to the body. The second section of this paper focuses on the same three swimmers in the ‘present day’, some 10–30 years after being immersed in the Australian swimming culture as adolescents. It excavates their body practices and the relationships they now have with their body, and thus pursues the sustained impact of the body practices and ‘memes’ they were exposed to as adolescents. Analysis employs concepts drawn mainly from Foucault, particularly his thesis in regard to ‘disciplinary power’, ‘regulation’ ‘classification’ and ‘surveillance’. At a club (amateur) and National level, Australian swimming is revealed as an institution, a site and culture where particular techniques of power have become concentrated and have been brought to bear on individuals in systematic ways, with sometimes damaging effects arising for athletes’ long-term health and well-being, particularly if the individuals concerned continue to engage with cultural practices in regard to the body post-career. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper is an account of, and reflection on, the author's six-month ethnographic study of a residential care home for severely traumatised and abused children in Australia. During the stay she designed and offered a short six-day course for the care staff and foster carers in the use of play for emotional and therapeutic support. Prior to this, the dominant orientation of the staff was to a behaviourist model and the opportunity they had to learn about therapeutic play was positive. Fieldwork of deep cultural immersion took place with the principle method of participant observation. In addition an in-depth interview with a key education staff member and shadow tutor was conducted to further explore the value of a short training course for care staff and foster carers in providing emotional and therapeutic support for children through play. Main findings suggest that raising awareness of play and its therapeutic value was beneficial to carers and children. The unexpected main finding was that spontaneous group play observed and recounted by the shadow tutor revealed to her an in-depth understanding by the young children of the prevailing culture within the setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social environment prevailing within higher education institutions in Australia has seen many changes in recent years. Many factors have contributed to these changes and this paper explains the areas in which student life in Australia has changed and the challenges these changes have posed to students. This paper argues that universities in Australia and elsewhere need to prepare themselves to cope with the rapidly changing needs of their students. Information technological tools such as Internet chat room could be one of the cheapest and student-friendly tools which universities could use to meet the social and psychological needs of their students. A chat room was created for the students of Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia) and this paper explains the ways in which this chat room was used by the students. Based on the observations made, this paper highlights the fact that chat rooms could be a useful tool for universities in this day and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic practice in Australia and around the world attracts a high level of public and judicial scrutiny. The way in which the forensic psychologist conducts him or herself in ethically challenging situations is important not only to the reputation of the individual practitioner, but to the profession more widely. This paper outlines some of the ethical issues that commonly arise in forensic psychology practice and discusses these in relation to the recently published Australian Psychological Society (2007) Code of Ethics. Four ethically challenging scenarios are described and discussed in terms of how the Code might be used to offer guidance to psychologists about how they might best respond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper problematizes the discourse of internationalizing the curriculum using a critical framework of difference. The author draws on her transnational experiences as an international postgraduate researcher in an Australian university, an educator in Malaysia and her present experiences as an academic in an Australian university. The notions of difference, power and subjectivities are used to unpack the academic and pedagogical practices of internationalizing the curriculum. A politics of difference in internationalizing the curriculum entails interrogating the power dynamics in the privileging and marginalization of knowledge, skills and ways of being, knowing and doing. Transnational connectivity and reciprocal flows of individuals and knowledge are emphasized within such practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research has provided a significant picture of the lived experiences of transgender and sex/gender diverse (TSGD) Australians, it remains incomplete because population samples rarely include TSGD people from Australia's Northern Territory. The Northern Territory is twice the size of France but is populated by only 210,000 people. The territory's environmental and demographic features make it very distinct from Australia's other six states and mainland territory. Most notably, it possesses a "frontier" mentality and is considered to be one of Australia's most homophobic states and territories. This paper publishes the results of an online survey conducted as part of an ongoing research project into the health needs of TSGD individuals, such as availability of medical and support services that specialize in, and are "friendly" to, TSGD people, especially in remote areas of the territory, colloquially referred to as out bush. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:This paper describes the development and practice of clinical neuropsychology in Australia.Method:Clinical Neuropsychology has shown rapid growth in Australia over the past three decades. Comprehensive and specialized training programs are producing high quality graduates who are employed in a broad range of settings or private practice.Results:Australia now has a substantial number of clinical neuropsychologists with specialist training. Whilst the majority of Australian clinical neuropsychologists still undertake assessment predominantly, there are growing opportunities for clinical neuropsychologists in rehabilitation and in a broad range of research contexts. Cultural issues relating to the assessment of Indigenous Australians and immigrants from many countries present significant challenges. Some major contributions have been made in the realms of test development and validation across various age groups. Australian clinical neuropsychologists are also contributing significantly to research in the fields of traumatic brain injury, aging and dementias, epilepsy, memory assessment, rehabilitation, substance abuse, and other psychiatric disorders.Conclusion:Expansion of roles of clinical neuropsychologists, in domains such as rehabilitation and research is seen as essential to underpin continuing growth of employment opportunities for the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To date, people with intersex variations have been mainly studied via small-scale clinical research, with only a small amount of reflective commentary contributed by sociocultural scholars. This paper reports on findings from a 2015 online Australian survey of 272 people with intersex variations, which aimed to redress the gap in research on this groups’ experiences and perspectives concerning education. Participants ranged in age from 16 to 87 years, and represented all Australian states and territories. Most had experienced two medical treatment interventions related to their intersex variation: commonly reported interventions included hormonal treatment and genital surgery delivered to participants when they were aged under 18 years of age. Participants reported various physical and psychological impacts from these treatments. Well-being risks were high; most of the group had engaged in suicidal ideation, particularly when individuals first found out about their variation. This impacted on their schooling – almost one-fifth of survey respondents had received no high school certification due to their early dropout and the overwhelming majority did not attend schools with inclusive puberty/sex education provision or counselling. Most survey participants had not disclosed their intersex variation to staff, although more than half had done so to their classmates. Many had experienced bullying. Only one-quarter of participants rated their overall education experiences positively. Participants suggested improvements to schools’ information provision and support features. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To understand the desire for children among heterosexual couples planning for a first child. Background: In Australia, almost two-thirds of all pregnancies are planned, and over 40% of all children born each year are to first-time mothers. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken as part of a longitudinal study on planned first-time parenthood among Australian heterosexual couples. Ten couples who were planning for a pregnancy were interviewed, men and women separately. Results: An inductive thematic analysis identified four modes of decision-making: (1) female partner-directed, (2) male partner-directed, (3) joint-directed due to circumstance, and (4) joint-directed, and three themes related to the desire to have a child: (1) having children is a natural progression, (2) there is an innate drive to want to have children, and (3) a desire to see oneself reflected in another human being. Conclusions: The paper concludes by exploring the implications of the findings for service provision. Specifically, intending parents may be better supported by services that provide gender-specific information during the planning stage, including about infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a qualitative study of teacher educators which investigated teacher educators' ideological discourses. A number of ideologies were found to inform the work of the teacher educators who participated in the study. While multiple ideologies are discernible, the social orientation tends towards conservatism rather than transformation. The paper concludes with the claim that the recognition of multiple conservative discourses allows more possibilities for change in teacher education than might be possible if the conservative social orientation was understood as a single hegemonic ideology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper starts from the premise that embodied knowledge is critical to understanding health policy implementation. We explore this notion through a qualitative investigation of the way that knowledge has functioned in the implementation of an Australian mental health policy, Partners in Recovery (PIR). Analysis uses the theoretical lens of interpretive policy analysis and the 'embodied, inscribed, enacted' knowledge schema developed by Freeman and Sturdy [(2014a). Introduction: Knowledge in policy – embodied, inscribed, enacted. In R. Freeman & S. Sturdy (Eds.), Knowledge in policy: Embodied, inscribed, enacted (pp. 1–19). Bristol: Policy Press]. Our analysis reveals a policy problem centred around difficulties of coordination where the inscribed solution lies in individuals who must implement the PIR program in local areas. Our interviews with PIR consortium members and stakeholders show that this implementation happens through the enactment of embodied knowledge. However this implementation is not straightforward and we point to difficulties arising from the centrality of embodied processes in implementation, related to the localisation of systems knowledge in individuals and structural devaluation of certain types of knowledge over others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing numbers of Australian trans and gender diverse people desire to become parents, yet many who do so experience a lack of support and recognition. This article reports on an online survey completed by 160 trans or gender diverse people. The survey included general demographic questions, in addition to questions related to (1) current parenting arrangements, (2) modes of family formation, (3) the desire to have children in the future, and (4) support or discrimination from families of origin. In regard to the findings, only a minority of participants (39) were already parents; however 21 participants indicated that they desired to have children in the future. Participants who were already parents were older than those who were not, and conversely, participants who desired to have children in the future were younger than those who did not. Discrimination from family of origin was negatively correlated with support for parenting, while support from family of origin was positively correlated with desire to have children. The paper concludes by suggesting that support from service providers is important for this potentially vulnerable group who may not experience support from their families of origin and who may perceive themselves as having limited pathways to parenthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an historical critical policy analysis of deinstitutionalisation and the introduction of neoliberal forms of governance in mental health policy. It focuses particularly on a major period of policy reform in the 1980s and 1990s in Victoria, Australia. Many of the particularities of the Victorian experience can be generally observed with deinstitutionalisation throughout the world. In particular, the policy discourse of rights and entitlements, consumer choice and empowerment, at times stood in tension with the service void created by the transition from large, stand-alone psychiatric institutions, to dispersed forms of service provision outside the hospital. Further, certain policy features could be seen to perpetuate patterns of coercion, abuse and neglect. This article offers a number of potential lessons for mental health law, policy and practice today, which is poised for further advances of neoliberal governance, including through the policy of personalised services, individualised disability funding and human rights-based reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents for the first time the results of research conducted in 2001 titled Australian Transgender Survey 2001 (ATS2001). Sixty-six transgender Australians participated in a qualitative research methodology—namely, an online survey—and were asked to reflect on their sex/gender and transgender identities and lived experiences, especially in regard to their views on hormone therapy, sex reassignment surgery, and the medical profession. Participants were also asked about their aspirations for the future of transgenderism in Australia. This project was unable to mirror the findings of other research, thus, making a unique contribution to the extant literature. ATS2001 indicates that participants are satisfied with the results of sex reassignment surgery while simultaneously being critical of the medical profession. Participants were also asked to reflect on their aspirations for the future. Some aspirations, such as uniformity across Australian states and territories with regard to recognition of one's sex/gender and a reduction in the cost of "sex reassignment surgery," have not been realized. Other aspirations have been realized, such as the passage of anti-discrimination laws, being able to change the sex/gender on official documents, being able to marry, and social acceptance and adoption of sex/gender categories other than man, woman, and transgender, have occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Clinical psychology students and clinicians in regional and remote areas face challenges accessing required supervision and peer consultation. Distance supervision using existing online conferencing tools (e.g., SKYPE) is one option, but limitations of existing platforms require an external method of initiating a supervisory relationship and securely sharing confidential documents and videos. This paper addresses the development of an e-supervision application to overcome these limitations, and examines issues inherent to such a development. Method A newly developed e-supervision application provides online access to a database of clinical supervisors and peers for students to search, contact and meet, with additional document sharing and video annotation tools to support standard supervision activities. The authors provide a selected review of clinical, technical, legal and ethical considerations that have arising during the design, development and testing of this application. Results Technological barriers exist, both in internet capacity in rural areas, and with institutions allowing access to common meeting platforms. Online interactions necessitate a different communication style, which may deter new users. The highly confidential and sensitive nature of supervision resources (client videos and notes) requires the implementation of best practice security measures, and consideration of Australian Privacy law and informed consent procedures for clients. Conclusions Issues around online security, confidentiality and verification of users need to be considered and addressed in the development of online supervision services. User perceptions of security and utility will ultimately determine uptake of online supervision services, and further investigation of user perceptions is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPeople who have profound intellectual and multiple disabilities face significant challenges to participating in their community and are reported to have few friends. In this paper, the issue of how this is addressed by parent-carers of young women with Rett syndrome is explored. MethodTranscripts of in-depth interviews with 6 families registered with the population-based Australian Rett Syndrome Database were examined, guided by a theory of social construction, for themes of participation. ResultsThe majority of parent-carers saw social participation as an unrealistic expectation due to their daughters’ difficulties with communication. At the same time, parent-carers spontaneously recounted details of their daughters’ social connections within their local communities. This was positively associated with the presence of siblings. ConclusionsYoung women with Rett syndrome participate socially in their community. Encouraging parent-carers to continue with small-scale strategies that pay heed to their concerns and fears has the potential to enhance their daughters’ access to the benefits associated with friendship. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The challenges associated with facilitating an organizational environment that promotes work engagement and is supportive of employee psychological well-being are well documented. This study focused on the longitudinal relationships between work engagement and three supportive job resources: supervisor support, colleague support and individual perceptions of the wider resource of work culture support. The sample comprised 1196 employees of an Australian state police service, both police officers and civilian staff, who completed self-report surveys across three waves of data collection. Work culture support predicted higher supervisor support, colleague support and work engagement over time lags of 12 and 18 months. Furthermore, work engagement was a significant predictor of work culture support over the two time lags. Significant indirect relationships were also observed. With the large volume of work-related factors potentially influencing work engagement, the results of this research assist in clarifying the specific supportive job resources that impact upon work engagement over time. The paper discusses practical implications for the promotion of support and work engagement within high-stress occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]