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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised about an 'infodemic', with information and misinformation being spread across multiple channels and mediums. Information consumption has also been associated with increased anxiety throughout the pandemic. Thus, the present study investigates the mediating role of state anxiety on the relationship between information consumption (defined as mean frequency of information consumption multiplied by number of information sources) and COVID-19 protective behaviours. We compare results across Australian and United States samples and account for personal risk perception and belief in misinformation about COVID-19. Cross-sectional data collected between 28 and 30 April 2020 were analysed using Bayesian structural equation modelling among participants from Australia (N = 201), and the United States (N = 306). State anxiety scores were above the conventional clinical cut-off. Information consumption was positively associated with state anxiety, personal risk perception, and COVID-19 protective behaviours in the Australian and the United States samples. Additionally, the relationship between information consumption and COVID-19 protective behaviours was positively mediated by state anxiety in both nations, suggesting some functional benefits of anxiety. Differences in risk perception and belief in misinformation existed between the Australian and United States sample. Findings provide support for current guidance from organisations such as the WHO, APA, and APS on limiting information consumption to reduce anxiety. To effectively communicate critical public health messaging while minimising potential burdens on mental health, there is a need to develop and test interventions that assist people in calibrating the extent and nature of their information consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout COVID-19, the proliferation of misinformation and the impact of negative news on mental health highlights a tension between news media as a source of essential public health information and news as a source of distress. A suggested approach to reporting which remains informative while tempering audience distress is constructive journalism. We investigated the benefits and applications of constructive news reporting during COVID-19 from the perspectives of journalism professionals interested in constructive approaches. Eleven participants from four continents were interviewed in the first two months of the pandemic. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and two themes produced: "Sober not sensational" and "What's positive in a pandemic?" Six subthemes were also produced: "beyond the numbers", "slower reporting", "understanding uncertainty", "solutions", "we're all in the same boat" and "awakening". Constructive approaches were seen to help journalists navigate their roles as educators and to provide hope without inciting undue panic. Our interviews suggest constructive news reporting could assist in balancing informativeness and public mental health throughout the pandemic. More work is needed, however, that incorporates randomised controlled testing to establish whether constructive journalism techniques meaningfully impact audience mental health beyond standard approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine undergraduate psychology and dental students' perceptions of their self-perceived ability, value and comfort in working with others in an interprofessional context. Students participated in a new interprofessional learning initiative incorporating motivational interviewing to encourage health behaviour change. Pre- and post-interprofessional learning survey data from 49 students and written reflections of 115 students were analysed. Students demonstrated significant improvement in all quantitative measures, including overall interprofessional socialisation and values as well as perceived ability, value and comfort in working with others. Three themes relating to perceptions of ability, value and comfort with interprofessional collaboration were identified: Scope of Practice, Collaboration as a Valuable Approach and Healthy Scepticism. While the findings show that even small-scale interprofessional learning programmes can significantly increase students' perceptions in these domains, student feedback can further enhance interprofessional learning. Within interprofessional learning, the scope of practice for health professions, including the students' own discipline, must be clear, knowledge about facilitators and barriers to successful interprofessional collaboration and ways to address these issues must be included, and efforts should be made to show students how professions that may initially seem quite disparate, can and do, collaborate to support positive patient outcomes. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1) Successful interprofessional collaboration offers benefits for clients, health professionals and health systems. (2) Interprofessional learning aims to produce a collaborative practice-ready psychology workforce responsive to a range of client presentations and workplace contexts. (3) Psychologists are often employed in multidisciplinary teams, yet in Australia it has not been commonplace for psychologists-in-training to be exposed to interprofessional learning. What this topic adds: (1) Small-scale interprofessional learning initiatives may be associated with improvements in students' overall interprofessional socialisation and values, and perceived ability, value and comfort in working with individuals from other health professions. (2) For interprofessional learning to be successful, students must be knowledgeable about the scope of practice for a range of health professions, including their own. (3) Students benefit from knowledge about facilitators and barriers to successful interprofessional collaboration and guidance on how to address these to maximise the effectiveness of collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Regular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) can substantially improve outcomes. This study investigated how measuring regret expected from failing to screen might lead to stronger screening intentions. Five potential moderators were evaluated: perceived threat, psychological reactance, prior screening participation, concurrently measuring faecal aversion (FA) and anticipated regret (AR). Design: A 2 (AR measured pre/post intention) × 2 (FA measured pre/post intention) single blind parallel randomised controlled trial was used. Australians aged 45 and over completed an online survey measuring AR, FA, intention, theory of planned behaviour variables and potential moderators. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was CRC screening intention. Results: Eight hundred and three participants were randomised, with 666 analysed. Measuring AR prior to intention unexpectedly resulted in a significantly lower intention to screen (d = 0.18, 95% CI [0.03, 0.33]) compared to measuring after intention. Trait reactance predicted a significantly lower intention when it was at least 0.52 SD above the mean; other moderators were not supported. Conclusion: The processes underlying anticipated regret manipulations must be better understood in order to have practical value in health promotion. More research is required to determine how to minimise or avoid the apparent negative effects of psychological reactance in CRC screening communication. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001098224 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated how coping impacts offspring's adaption to parental cancer in terms of post-traumatic growth, resilience, and emotion; and how coping differs between offspring. Methods: Participants (18–34 years; n = 244) completed an online survey. Data were analyzed using generalized linear modeling and multinomial regression. Findings: Higher levels of adaptive coping was associated with higher post-traumatic growth, resiliency, and positive affect; whereas maladaptive coping was associated with lower resiliency and higher negative affect. Females and offspring who did not access support for their parent's cancer reported higher adaptive coping. Offspring bereaved by parental cancer reported higher levels of maladaptive coping. Offspring whose parents' cancer was of shorter duration and those who lived with their ill parent had lower adaptive and maladaptive coping. Conclusions/Implications: Adaptive coping appeared beneficial to offspring. Supportive interventions may benefit from focusing on increasing adaptive coping, particularly among bereaved offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent and course of psychological distress were examined in a representative sample of patients attending a primary health care practice in metropolitan Adelaide where general practitioner (GP) and clinical psychologist services are co-located. Scores for psychological distress were similar to national norms. Approximately one in six patients expressed a wish to discuss their feelings with a GP and/or psychologist, but the association between distress scores and wish to discuss feelings was only moderate. At follow-up 5 months later, average distress scores had fallen. Half of those who had expressed a wish for discussion had done so, and they had significantly lower scores for anxiety and stress. The results provide a context within which subsequent national mental health initiatives can be interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Farmers are faced with many stressors, along with numerous barriers to accessing traditional forms of mental health support. The ifarmwell online intervention was co-designed with farmers and is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to equip farmers with transferable coping strategies, particularly to help them cope with circumstances beyond their control. We aimed to evaluate the effect of ifarmwell on farmers' short- and long-term distress and mental wellbeing. Methods: Australian farmers (21–73 years) who registered on completed measures at the commencement of module 1 (N = 228), the end of the intervention (N = 77) and 6-months post-intervention (N = 61). Primary outcomes included distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and mental wellbeing (Mental Health Continuum – Short Form). We also examined the relationship between distress, mental wellbeing, neuroticism (Quickscales-R) and ACT-based psychological mechanisms; psychological inflexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II), cognitive fusion (Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire), believability of automatic thoughts (Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-B), coping via acceptance (4 items from the situational COPE) and mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form). Secondary outcomes of acceptability (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8) and usability (System Usability Scale) were also explored. Results: Pre- to post-intervention, farmers' distress decreased and mental wellbeing increased. These effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Changes in these outcomes were greatest for participants who entered the intervention with high baseline distress ( β ˆ = −0.59, 95%CI =[−0.70, −0.47]) and low mental wellbeing ( β ˆ = −0.33, 95%CI = [−0.47, −0.19]). Decreases in distress and increases in mental wellbeing were associated with decreases in psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, and believability of thoughts, and increases in coping via acceptance and mindfulness. Levels of satisfaction (M = 26.92/32) and usability (M = 84.70/100) were high, and 94.6% of participants said they would recommend ifarmwell to a friend in need of similar advice and tools. Conclusions: ifarmwell is an effective and usable intervention that is likely to help farmers reduce their levels of distress and improve their mental wellbeing, by improving their psychological flexibility, ability to focus on the present and accept things beyond their control, as well as by reducing the extent to which they believe unhelpful thoughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to develop an evidence-based and community-defined model for multiple stakeholders such as community leaders, service providers, and policymakers to adaptively implement to improve the quality of life of these children and their families. To inform this model, results from three previous studies conducted by the authors were combined with the results from the current qualitative investigation. Overall over 100 key informants including parents, community leaders, and government and non-government officials aged from 18 to 63 years old participated in interview and focus group sessions. The results were then analysed thematically. The resultant model consists of 41 activities across 7 sectors, including health, education, and the economy, plus a central multi-sectoral component. Taken together, this comprehensive list of activities aims to support young children's development, increase family competencies, and strengthen social inclusion for families with children with disabilities. Young children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable population in the world. A range of evidence-informed activities exists to help young children with disabilities in low and middle-income countries with settings similar to that in Indonesia. We united these activities together with additional suggestions through a series of investigations to generate an evidence-informed and community-defined model for improving the quality of life of these children and their families. We hope that this article assists researchers and practitioners to adaptively implement such approaches to improve the lives of young children with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffer health inequities, such as high levels of psychological distress and multiple life stressors. These have been shaped by colonisation, racism, discrimination, and government policies and practices. Method Eight Australian psychologists were interviewed with the aim of identifying the professional skills and personal competencies that enable effective service delivery for this client group, and especially those aged 12-25 (i.e., 'youth'). Results Thematic analysis identified that personal and clinical credibility, relationship centrism, contextual understanding, a holistic approach, and flexibility are important to good practice. Not all of these are currently part of standard psychology training, but many are covered by guidelines developed by the Australian Psychological Society. Conclusions Results from this study indicate that ongoing adjustments to university curricula, professional competency requirements for practitioner registration, and continuing professional development will all contribute to best practice. Moreover, for Australian psychologists, the consolidation of cultural competency into a useful framework for professional development is paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The goal of this work is to review the current literature on continuity of care in the treatment of people with dual diagnosis. In particular, this review set out to clarify how continuity of care has been defined, applied, and assessed in treatment and to enhance its application in both research and clinical practice.Methods:To identify articles for review, the term “continuity” and combinations of “substance” and “treatment” were searched in electronic databases. The search was restricted to quantitative articles published in English after 1980. Papers were required to discuss “continuity” in treatment samples that included a proportion of patients with a dual diagnosis.Results:A total of 18 non-randomized studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed six core types of continuity in this treatment context:continuity of relationship with provider(s), continuity across services, continuity through transfer, continuity as regularity and intensity of care, continuity as responsive to changing patient need,andsuccessful linkage of the patient. Patient age, ethnicity, medical status, living status, and the type of mental health and/or substance use disorder influenced the continuity of care experienced in treatment. Some evidence suggested that achieving continuity of care was associated with positive patient and treatment-related outcomes.Conclusions:This review summarizes how continuity of care has been understood, applied, and assessed in the literature to date. Findings provide a platform for future researchers and service providers to implement and evaluate continuity of care in a consistent manner and to determine its significance in the treatment of people with a dual diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bullying is a widespread global issue, with serious consequences for victimized individuals. The current systematic review is the first to explore the consequences of bullying in early adolescence on psychological and academic functioning across the adolescent period. Five databases were examined, yielding 28 relevant studies. Victimized individuals were found to experience negative psychosocial and academic outcomes, including increased depression and anxiety, increased peer rejection, poorer school performance and school connectedness, both over the short term (12 months), and up to 8 years later. Victimized females suffered worse outcomes than victimized males, specifically for symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Future research should prioritize developing a globally recognized measure of bullying, and designing targeted interventions addressing specific outcomes for victimized females and males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As an underdeveloped region of Indonesia, West Timor faces a significant challenge of childhood disability compounded by environmental risk factors such as poverty, discrimination and stigma, and limited access to basic services. However, very little is currently known about how this important social issue is viewed from the perspective of parents and local leaders, who play an influential role in local society. This research aimed to explore the views of these groups, towards childhood disability, within an environmental risk context. Method: Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and photovoice with 23 parents and 15 local leaders such as a midwife, priest, headmaster and staff from international and local non-government organisations. Results: The results of the study suggest that local culture, including religion has a strong influence on the perceptions of disability and environmental risk factors, while available services are seen by parents as being inaccessible. Conclusions: Implications of the results are presented together with multi-sectoral recommendations for best supporting parents raising children with disabilities in rural areas in low-income jurisdictions such as West Timor. Grass-root healthcare providers, such as community health centres in Indonesia should work with community leaders to improve health literacy and awareness on disability Initiatives like inclusive village might eliminate barriers to services such as stigma and distance to health centres Decision-makers should aim to empower religious and cultural figures to provide social support for parents of children with disabilities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Young children living with disabilities in developing countries face a range of environmental risks that may impact upon their development. However, very little research has explored how to provide interventions for, or support to, this group of children and their families. In this systematic review, we examined studies which evaluated interventions aimed at addressing environmental risk factors in developing countries. Method: Ten databases were searched. Websites of organizations active in disability and children issues were also searched. Results: Forty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria (11 qualitative, 29 quantitative, and 8 mixed-methods). The findings indicate that the impact of environmental risk factors on development might be ameliorated by providing disability-screening services, community-based interventions, targeted, and inclusive basic services. The review also identifies key barriers to supporting these children as stigma and discrimination. Key enablers include religious support and community education. Conclusions: Comprehensive interventions from screening services to inclusive basic services are needed and collaboration from related stakeholders, also utilization of local resources is vital. Environmental risk factors threaten development of young children with disabilities in developing countries. Screening services, community-based interventions, targeted and inclusive basic services are needed to address environmental risk factors. Religious support and community education are key in addressing stigma and discrimination in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure psychological and physical health of psychology students during their Honours year of study, in the context of this being perceived as a high stake, "make‐or‐break" degree program in Australia. Method: Psychology honours students from 9 universities (N = 179) completed an online survey that included measures of depression, anxiety and stress, physical activity, drug and alcohol use, self‐rated health status, future study intentions and desired final grade for the degree. Data were collected in the first semester of the academic year. Results: The sample was overall, high on perceived physical health, with around 74.85% being at least minimally active. Around one quarter were overweight or obese. The majority were non‐smokers, and did not regularly misuse drugs or alcohol, although binge drinking was reported by the majority. The majority planned to enter further study to qualify as a registered psychologist. Depression, anxiety, and stress were elevated in the sample, when compared with other comparative reference groups. Those with higher levels of perceived physical health and those aiming for a higher desired final grade were less likely to show elevated scores on psychological distress measures. Conclusions: This study is consistent with published and unpublished data showing that psychological distress levels in this cohort are high. These findings show that this is evident across universities, and that distress is apparent early in the academic year. Educators and the profession have a duty of care and a responsibility to reflect upon the student experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive education blends academic learning and student well-being. Although research and application in positive education is growing, most has involved psychologists and educators applying strategies in schools, with little research that involves student voices in the development and implementation of a school's positive education strategy. Assumptions are frequently made about what is best for student well-being, with little input from the students themselves. This paper describes a case study of participatory action research (PAR) carried out by students (N = 10) at a publically funded Australian school aiming to implement positive education. PAR is a form of collective inquiry undertaken by the people that the issue directly affects. The PAR group researched the school community regarding well-being during the school year. Mixed methods examined PAR student's well-being, self-efficacy, autonomy, social and emotional assets, and other competencies before and after the process. Student involvement allowed the school to better understand their students' well-being, and student-led communication about positive education laid the groundwork for its implementation. Results suggested benefits for the PAR students, particularly in engagement and self-efficacy. This realistically scaled study suggests that involving students using a framework of PAR is a promising, accessible, evidence-based, and developmentally beneficial approach to the implementation of positive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International students undertaking a higher degree by research may experience a range of difficulties and challenges while studying in their host country. Some of these challenges, including language and cultural difficulties, limited peer relationships and challenges in forming relationships with supervisors, have been outlined in the literature but there is less research that has considered both the experiences of international students and supervisors together to provide a cohesive overview of the issues that international higher-degree-by-research students may face. Using a qualitative interview design, this research therefore sought to examine this issue within one faculty in a single university in Australia. International higher-degree-by-research students were found to be diverse in their expectations and desires of their new host country and university. Thus, it should not be assumed that all students will have similar priorities. The article provides some suggestions for universities when developing or refining their programmes to better support international higher-degree-by-research students in settling into their new country and programme of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]