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Objective We sought to determine the relative frequency and nature of personal display of cigarette packs by smokers in two Australian cities where 30% front-of-pack and 90% back-of-pack health warnings have been used since 2006 and comprehensive tobacco marketing restrictions apply. Methods An observational study counted patrons, active smokers and tobacco packs at cafés, restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. Pack orientation and use of cigarette cases were also noted. Results Overall, 18 954 patrons, 1576 active smokers and 2153 packs were observed, meaning that one out of every 12.0 patrons was actively smoking, and one of every 8.8 patrons displayed a pack. Packs were more frequently observed in lower socio-economic neighbourhoods, reflecting the higher prevalence of smoking in those regions. Packs were displayed less often in venues where children were present, suggesting a greater tendency not to smoke around children. Most packs (81.4%) were oriented face-up, permitting prominent brand display. Only 1.5% of observed packs were cigarette cases, and 4.2% of packs were concealed by another item, such as a phone or wallet. Conclusions Tobacco packs are frequently seen on table-tops in café strips, providing many opportunities for other patrons and passers-by to be incidentally exposed to cigarette brand names and imagery. Use of cigarette cases is rare, suggesting that smokers eventually habituate to pictorial warnings on branded packs and/or find repeated decanting of each newly purchased branded pack into a case to be inconvenient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Continuity of care by a primary midwife during the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods has been recommended in Australia and many hospitals have introduced a caseload midwifery model of care. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of caseload midwifery on women's satisfaction with care across the maternity continuum.Methods: Pregnant women at low risk of complications, booking for care at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, were recruited to a randomised controlled trial between September 2007 and June 2010. Women were randomised to caseload midwifery or standard care. The caseload model included antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care from a primary midwife with back-up provided by another known midwife when necessary. Women allocated to standard care received midwife-led care with varying levels of continuity, junior obstetric care, or community-based general practitioner care. Data for this paper were collected by background questionnaire prior to randomisation and a follow-up questionnaire sent at two months postpartum. The primary analysis was by intention to treat. A secondary analysis explored the effect of intrapartum continuity of carer on overall satisfaction rating.Results: Two thousand, three hundred fourteen women were randomised: 1,156 to caseload care and 1,158 to standard care. The response rate to the two month survey was 88% in the caseload group and 74% in the standard care group. Compared with standard care, caseload care was associated with higher overall ratings of satisfaction with antenatal care (OR 3.35; 95% CI 2.79, 4.03), intrapartum care (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.78, 2.57), hospital postpartum care (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.32, 1.85) and home-based postpartum care (OR 3.19; 95% CI 2.64, 3.85).Conclusion: For women at low risk of medical complications, caseload midwifery increases women's satisfaction with antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN012607000073404 (registration complete 23rd January 2007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is a need to better understand the use of aged care services by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) who were born in non-English-speaking countries and/or have a preferred language other than English and to describe service utilisation rates. Methods: The present study consisted of a secondary analysis of data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse. Data were analysed by country of birth, preferred language, state or territory and Aged Care Planning Regions within Victoria. Results: Nationally, over 30 000 (18.3%) RACF residents were born in a non-English-speaking country. In Victoria, almost one in four RACF residents (23.9%) was born in a non-English-speaking country, and approximately one in eight (13.1%) has a preferred language other than English. Most Victorian RACFs (72.4%) have at least one resident with a preferred language other than English. Approximately one in four residents (26.1%) with a preferred language other than English are the sole speaker of the language in their facility. Conclusion: All RACFs need to effectively address the needs and preferences of their residents, including those who were born in a non-English-speaking country or prefer to speak a language other than English. What is known about the topic?: The number of older people from a non-English-speaking background continues to increase, but little is known about the prevalence of this cohort living in RACFs and how aged care providers are responding to their needs and preferences. What does this paper add?: The present study provides detailed, service- and policy-relevant information, demonstrating a substantial degree of diversity among people living in RACFs, with wide distribution across facilities and regions. The findings confirm the need for a systematic, sector-wide approach to addressing linguistic diversity and developing inclusive practices. What are the implications for practitioners?: All RACFs are required to develop policies and procedures in order to cater to the needs and preferences of residents who were born in non-English-speaking countries and/or who prefer to speak a language other than English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential element of human research is the successful recruitment of participants. Many researchers appear to be able to recruit participants quickly and without significant issues, while other researchers have more challenges. This paper presents some issues encountered when recruiting participants for a phenomenological research project on the lived experiences of young people aged 16-24 years, with type 1 diabetes living in a rural setting. Insights and strategies are presented to assist researchers when recruiting young people to their research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Despite the growing number of older adults in Australia, many do not access counselling, partly because of the lack of trained mental health professionals for older people. This paper describes an innovative solution for providing counselling services to older adults, and geropsychology training to postgraduate psychology students. Method A university-based counselling clinic for older adults was described - an outreach service for older adults living in the community or in residential aged care facilities in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Results Over its first 13 months, the clinic provided a total of 266 sessions of counselling to 57 clients (41 living in residential aged care), and involved six postgraduate students. Conclusion This paper describes the potential benefits of the clinic for clients and students and the resources needed to support this model of service delivery. Thus, it provides a blueprint for other universities for developing similar services for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this paper were to report on the global psychosocial functioning of 5-year-old DHH children and examine the risk and protective factors that predict outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of data collected from a prospective, population-based longitudinal study. Study sample: Parents/caregivers of 356 children completed questionnaires on psychosocial development (CDI, SDQ), functional communication (PEACH) and demographic information. Children completed standardized assessments of non-verbal cognitive ability (WNV) and language (PLS-4). Results: On average, global psychosocial functioning was within the range of typically developing children; however, variability was high and 12% of children had scores that were more than 2 SDs below the norm. Non-verbal cognitive ability, presence of additional disabilities, language and functional communication significantly predicted outcomes. In contrast, type of hearing device, severity of hearing loss and age at intervention did not. Conclusion: The global psychosocial functioning of this cohort of 5-year-old DHH children fell within the range of typically developing children. The findings suggest that spoken language ability and functional communication skills are vital for healthy psychosocial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the first phase of a larger study aimed at investigating factors hindering family work and exploring ways to improve the amount and quality of family contact within a community aged mental health service in Melbourne, Australia. During the first phase of the project, 28 mental health professionals were interviewed about their views and experiences. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analysed in terms of repeating themes. The range of attitudes, beliefs and feelings about family work is summarised in this paper. Polarities emerged around questions of whether or not to engage family members, and if so, what function family work fulfils. The interviews also provided useful information on clinicians' beliefs about what would increase the possibility of family work. The paper concludes with a discussion about how to recognize and value family work in this area and target sustainable interventions during the second phase of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study of the impact of casualised and independent contractor work place arrangements on the psycho-social health of 72 workers in regional Victoria. It contributes to our understanding of the crisis in rural Australia in its use of qualitative methods focusing on the impact of work on health and well-being. There is some evidence in the literature that casualised work arrangement enhance the health and well-being of workers by giving them a sense of autonomy and freedom to negotiate their conditions of work. On the other hand, these arrangements may make an already vulnerable group even more vulnerable to uncertain work conditions, poor pay and uncertainty for their future with a significantly negative impact on their health and wellbeing. The results of these interviews support this latter perspective and show that these workers do not experience freedom and autonomy, but rather lowered social status, insecurity and serious limitations to their ability to manage their health, psychological wellbeing and social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The people of Melbourne are renowned for their 'football fever', yet this fever is under-studied. This paper addresses this fever by exploring the loves, suffering, and strange identifications of Australian Football League fans. Building on and complicating Freud's theories of group psychology, I argue that love, or rather two loves, are at the heart of the experience of being a fan. Fans love their club in a manner that incorporates the club into their sense of self, with the club becoming an ideal that is to be served. This love facilitates a particular form of identification where fans experience the club's trials, tribulations and triumphs, as if they too were being subjected to them. Moreover, in identifying with their club through love, the fan also takes on a second love, that of the club's object of desire, the elusive premiership. This is the love of the conquest and pursuit, a love that entails pain and suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Return to work (RTW) is important for recovery post-injury. Fear of (re)injury is a strong predictor of delayed RTW, and therefore much attention has been given to addressing injured workers' fear beliefs. However, RTW is a socially-negotiated process and it may be important to consider the wider social context of the injured worker, including the beliefs of the key people involved in their RTW journey.Methods: This paper involves data collected as part of a wider study in which semi-structured interviews explored RTW from the perspectives of 93 key stakeholders: injured workers, GPs, employers and insurance case managers in Victoria, Australia. Inductive analysis of interview transcripts identified fear of (re)injury as a salient theme across all stakeholder groups. This presented an opportunity to analyse how the wider social context of the injured worker may influence fear and avoidance behaviour. Two co-authors performed inductive analysis of the theme 'fear of (re)injury'. Codes identified in the data were grouped into five categories. Between and within category analysis revealed three themes describing the contextual factors that may influence fear avoidance and RTW behaviour.Results: Theme one described how injured workers engaged in a process of weighing up the risk of (re)injury in the workplace against the perceived benefits of RTW. Theme two described how workplace factors could influence an injured workers' perception of the risk of (re)injury in the workplace, including confidence that the source of the injury had been addressed, the availability and suitability of alternative duties. Theme three described other stakeholders' reluctance to accept injured workers back at work because of the fear that they might reinjure themselves.Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the need for a contextualised perspective of fear avoidance and RTW behaviour that includes the beliefs of other important people surrounding the injured worker (e.g. employers, family members, GPs). Existing models of health behaviour such as The Health Beliefs Model may provide useful frameworks for interventions targeting the affective, cognitive, social, organisational and policy factors that can influence fear avoidance or facilitate RTW following injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deleterious impact of parental substance abuse on child development and family functioning is well established. However, evaluations of interventions designed to ameliorate such impacts are very limited. This paper presents the results of a service evaluation using a pre-post design of the Supporting Kids And Their Environment (SKATE) program; a child-focused group program run by Glastonbury Community Services from 2006 to 2010 in the Geelong region of Victoria, Australia. The intervention was an 8-week psycho-educative model that used family-based techniques. Outcomes are reported for child behavior problems, assessed on the Child Behavior Checklist, and family functioning, assessed on the Family Support Scale. A total of 89 children and families within 13 intervention groups were recruited via adult Drug and Alcohol Services (Mean age = 10.4 years; SD = 2.4). Results suggest reductions in emotional and behavioral problems in children as well as improving family functioning with small to moderate effect sizes after children's participation in the SKATE program compared to pre-test. These preliminary findings suggest that children whose parents are substance abusing are a high-risk group but they may benefit from targeted intervention programs that are well integrated with the adult drug treatment system. Such interventions warrant further development and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of consumer-related risk is paramount in a secure forensic mental health facility. However, the consequent risk aversion presents a major barrier to consumers forming sexual relationships in a manner that is open and accepted. Investigation of the views of nurses working in forensic mental health settings on this topic is limited, and even more so for consumers of services. This qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to elicit the views of consumers and nurses about forming sexual relationships within this long-term and secure setting. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 nurses and 10 consumers. The benefits of, and barriers to, sexual relationships was identified as a major theme, and these findings are the focus of this paper. Nurse responses included the subthemes 'supportive factors' and 'potential dangers', reflecting their qualified support. Consumer responses included the subthemes 'therapeutic', 'feeling normal', 'restrictions and barriers', and 'lack of support and secrecy'. The importance of sexual relationships was clearly articulated, as was the difficulties in forming and maintaining them within the forensic setting. More open discussion about this commonly-avoided issue and the education of nurses and other health professionals is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International students make a vital contribution to the Australian economy. Due to their importance, a number of studies have been undertaken to examine the living experiences, attitudes and behaviours of international students in Australia. However, very few studies have examined international students' overall satisfaction with their university experience. The primary objective of this paper is to measure the influence of six individual university service factors on international students' satisfaction, and its subsequent impact on behavioural intentions. The results from the structural equation modelling analysis revealed that overall student satisfaction is influenced by the level of satisfaction with academic services, courses offered, access and augmented services. In contrast, administrative services and physical evidence were found to have a non-significant impact on overall satisfaction. Analysis also revealed a strong relationship between overall satisfaction and behavioural intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This paper reports on a project to examine the expectations of senior nurses regarding graduate roles of registered and enrolled nurses educated in Victoria, Australia. Methods. Participants completed an online survey to indicate whether predetermined competencies were in the roles of graduate enrolled or registered nurses or not in the role of either nurse. Chi-squared analysis was used to identify differences between participant groups. Results. Participants expressed variations in role expectations for the different level of graduate nurse. Although basic nursing care was undertaken by both graduate enrolled and registered nurses, no specific role was identified for enrolled nurses. Differences were found in the opinions of senior nurses over the roles of graduate nurses, demonstrating considerable variation in expectations. Management, education and research roles were not identified as the role of either nurse on graduation. Differences were found in the expectations of the different senior nurse groups regarding the roles of the enrolled nurse, particularly in the new skills taught in the enrolled nurse diploma program. Conclusions. Confusion exists regarding the roles of both types of nurse on graduation. Further research across Australia is required to clarify the roles of the different level of nurse in different practice contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients regularly abscond from mental health units and at times the consequences for patients and for others can be serious. The police are involved with absconding events, but are rarely considered in the mental health literature. In most jurisdictions, the police can take missing person reports for involuntary patients whose whereabouts are unknown and there are genuine concerns for their safety or welfare. Those people remain active cases for the police until located. This paper presents extracts of 25 police officers' narratives from a qualitative research project. Officers viewed absconding as a regular event, and workload burden that was exacerbated when mental health staff rarely initiated any search for the absconded patient and abdicated responsibility too quickly to the police. The officers were concerned about communication with mental health services and reported that information about the absconded patient could be inadequate or not given to police, and police often were not informed when the patient was found or discharged. Improved liaison and cooperative working that promote effective communication could strengthen police and mental health nursing collaboration and ensure better outcomes for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable cancer with increasing numbers of survivors at risk of medical and psychosocial morbidity which can impact on their quality of life and long-term survival. An innovative model of nurse-led survivorship care has been developed to enhance 1) awareness of individual health risks, 2) benefits of adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours and 3) reduction in psychosocial distress. A phase 1, quasi-experimental study is being undertaken to test the capacity of the intervention to deliver against the aims outlined. Thirty survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma and 30 healthy participants have been recruited to the study. The nurse-led consultations include an education package tailored to these individuals' health needs, screening for emotional distress and delivery of an individualised survivorship care plan. Study measures include the General Health Index, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and the late effects Supportive Care Needs Screening Tool. This paper outlines the rationale and key design issues behind the development of the nurse-led intervention and some preliminary indication of the benefit of the intervention from participants' perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper aims to explore frail older women's lived experiences of 'community' and which aspects of 'community' they perceive as beneficial to their well-being. Method: This qualitative project used a mixed methodological approach which integrated aspects of descriptive phenomenology and grounded theory. Ten frail, older women residing in South East Melbourne, Australia participated in in-depth interviews. Results: This research obtained a rich and detailed account of the aspects of 'community' identified by participants as enhancing their well-being. These included: social contact, community dynamics, feelings of support and positive orientation. Conclusion: This paper has increased our understanding of the factors supporting well-being of frail older women. Service providers should actively consider how they can strengthen these factors to improve social connectedness for frail older women by the use of volunteers, developing social networks and increasing availability and quality of community-based activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess depression literacy, help-seeking and help-offering to others in members of the police force in the state of Victoria, Australia. Methods: All staff in police stations involved in a cluster randomised controlled trial of an integrated workplace mental health intervention were invited to participate. Survey questions covered sociodemographic and employment information, recognition of depression in a vignette, stigma, treatment beliefs, willingness to assist co-workers with mental health problems, help-giving and help-seeking behaviours, and intentions to seek help. Using the baseline dataset associated with the trial, the paper presents a descriptive analysis of mental health literacy and helping behaviours, comparing police station leaders and lower ranks. Results: Respondents were 806 staff, comprising 618 lower-ranked staff and 188 leaders. Almost 84% of respondents were able to correctly label the problem described in the vignette. Among those who had helped someone with a mental health problem, both lower ranks and leaders most commonly reported ‘talking to the person’ although leaders were more likely to facilitate professional help. Leaders’ willingness to assist the person and confidence in doing so was very high, and over 80% of leaders appropriately rated police psychologists, general practitioners, psychologists, talking to a peer and contacting welfare as helpful. However, among both leaders and lower ranks with mental health problems, the proportion of those unlikely to seek professional help was greater than those who were likely to seek it. Conclusion: Knowledge about evidence-based interventions for depression was lower in this police sample than surveys in the general population, pointing to the need for education and training to improve mental health literacy. Such education should also aim to overcome barriers to professional help-seeking. Interventions that aim to improve mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour appear to be suitable targets for better protecting police member mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the introduction of an ongoing professional development programme for clinicians in a rural area mental health service. The programme involved a series of workshops delivered by clinical psychologists. The training component of each workshop focused on discrete cognitive behavioural strategies, targeted at the amelioration of anxiety and mood symptoms.Conclusions: The paper emphasizes contextual aspects of the programme: its setting, the modality of delivery, resourcing issues and maximizing engagement by the participants. Preliminary evaluation data are reviewed, and it is argued that programmes that focus on local capacity building in rural settings are an important component of redressing the urban-rural imbalance in the availability of evidence-based psychological treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy is a time of increased risk for developing or re‐experiencing mental illness. Perinatal mental health screening for all women is recommended in many national guidelines, but a number of systems‐level and individual barriers often hinder policy implementation. These barriers result in missed opportunities for detection and early intervention and are likely to be experienced disproportionately by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including women of refugee backgrounds. The objectives of this study were to develop a theory‐informed, evidence‐based guide for introducing and integrating perinatal mental health screening across health settings and to synthesize the learnings from an implementation initiative and multisectoral partnership between the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE), and a university‐based research centre. COPE is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) commissioned to update the Australian perinatal mental health guidelines, train health professionals and implement digital screening. Methods: In this case study, barriers to implementation were prospectively identified and strategies to overcome them were developed. A pilot perinatal screening programme for depression and anxiety with a strong health equity focus was implemented and evaluated at a large public maternity service delivering care to a culturally diverse population of women in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, including women of refugee background. Strategies that were identified preimplementation and postevaluation were mapped to theoretical frameworks. An implementation guide was developed to support future policy, planning and decision‐making by healthcare organizations. Results: Using a behavioural change framework (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behaviour Model), the key barriers, processes and outcomes are described for a real‐world example designed to maximize accessibility, feasibility and acceptability. A Programme Logic Model was developed to demonstrate the relationships of the inputs, which included stakeholder consultation, resource development and a digital screening platform, with the outcomes of the programme. A seven‐stage implementation guide is presented for use in a range of healthcare settings. Conclusions: These findings describe an equity‐informed, evidence‐based approach that can be used by healthcare organizations to address common systems and individual‐level barriers to implement perinatal depression and anxiety screening guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: These results present strategies that were informed by prior research involving patients and staff from a large public antenatal clinic in Melbourne, Australia. This involved interviews with health professionals from the clinic such as midwives, obstetricians, perinatal mental health and refugee health experts and interpreters. Interviews were also conducted with women of refugee background who were attending the clinic for antenatal care. A steering committee was formed to facilitate the implementation of the perinatal mental health screening programme comprising staff from key hospital departments, GP liaison, refugee health and well‐being, the NGO COPE and academic experts in psychology, midwifery, obstetrics and public health. This committee met fortnightly for 2 years to devise strategies to address the barriers, implement and evaluate the programme. A community advisory group was also formed that involved women from eight different countries, some of refugee background, who had recently given birth at the health service. This committee met bimonthly and was instrumental in planning the implementation and evaluation such as recruitment strategies, resources and facilitating an understanding of the cultural complexity of the women participating in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that nursing practice produces considerable anxiety, and it can also give rise to envy and jealousy. While envy in nursing was identified in the literature more than 50 years ago, there remains a paucity of articles addressing either envy or jealousy for nurses. In a recent research study on current experiences of clinical practice, we analysed a fragment of nurses' speech via Klein's theory of jealousy. The results revealed that the nurses expressed jealousy at the privilege afforded to doctors. We argue that it is important to acknowledge jealousy in nursing practice because it has the potential for 'spoiling' effective care delivery and as such, can have detrimental ramifications in the health system. Also, jealousy may keep the nurse from fully focusing on their nursing practice in that it divides the nurse's attention and so limits the nurse's treatment of the patient. Nurses' jealousy of doctors is a taboo topic in nursing, and yet it warrants serious consideration due to the potential deleterious consequences that can arise when this dynamic is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal recovery is a concept that emphasises an individual's unique process of achieving a meaningful and fulfilling life, even if mental illness symptoms are ongoing. This is in contrast to clinical perspectives that focus on reducing or eliminating symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine private practice psychologists' perceptions of recovery in the context of mental illness. Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight psychologists who worked in private practice in Victoria, Australia. Analysis was conducted with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Six of the eight participants were not familiar with frameworks of recovery. Instead, their views had largely been shaped by interactions with clients. There was a view that clients undertake a unique journey towards greater functioning and reflective awareness. Symptom reduction was also considered part of this journey. The therapeutic relationship with clients was viewed as crucial to recovery. Efforts are needed to educate mental health practitioners working in private practice about recovery. Mechanisms to achieve this could be the inclusion of recovery frameworks in pre-registration courses, directing recovery-focused training and resources towards the private practice sector and establishing explicit links between recovery and commonly employed therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family violence has been highlighted by the World Health Organization as a major public health concern. Although family violence occurs to all genders, a higher prevalence of victims are female. Estimates report around 30% of all women experience intimate partner violence worldwide. Experiencing assault in the family violence context can lead to an acquired brain injury (ABI); however, the connection between these two phenomena has not been well established. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the extent of, and factors contributing to, ABI and family violence. We conducted 22 semi‐structured interviews and one focus group (n = 4) with practitioners working with family violence victims and/or perpetrators. Thematic data analysis utilised inductive and deductive coding approaches. The Social Determinants of Health Framework was used to guide analysis. Practitioners estimated 30%–40% of the clients on their caseloads had a suspected or diagnosed ABI. They identified that contributing factors were extremely complex. These included acquiring an ABI through assault (past family violence or other criminal act), and transport crashes. Complicating factors of ABI were identified as mental health conditions, alcohol and drug use, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. Additional factors contributing to family violence were recognised as biological (age of parent, twin births, pregnancy, premature births, and children with congenital abnormalities), relationships (intimate partner, father, boyfriend, mother and siblings), previous trauma (family violence), and life stressors (unemployment, financial, and lack of housing). Social determinants of health included cultural (ethnicity, societal attitudes, values, and beliefs) and organisational (legislation and policy) factors which influenced behaviours and outcomes across all sectors. A model of Brain injury Family violence Nexus (BFN) was created to understand the interaction between these phenomena. Utilising the BFN model to understand the interaction can enhance the methods used within health and social services for a more efficacious approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine health care managers' and health and safety staff experiences of prevention and management of workplace violence against staff. Background: Employers have a responsibility to protect employees from workplace violence. The varied care settings present challenges for those responsible for ensuring safety. Method: Descriptive exploratory study using semi‐structured interviews with 99 participants responsible for workplace safety, from 29 health services across metropolitan and regional Victoria, Australia. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: Five themes were identified: Workplace violence was accepted as "part of the job"; Participants relied on government resources and networking to guide them; Working alone and home visiting was a risk factor; Participants demanded a single, state‐wide training programme; Sharing information is vital. Conclusions: Participants were acutely aware of the risks of violence towards staff, and of their responsibility in managing risks. Knowledge sharing and consistent, regular education can reduce the risks. Additional resources were required, particularly during home visits, or when working alone. Implications for Nursing Management: Managers need to prioritize resources such as reliable rapid response systems to prevent and manage violence, particularly against staff working alone or home visiting. Information sharing between health services and other agencies is important to reducing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paramedics may be involved in the care of patients experiencing a health crisis associated with palliative care. However, little is known about the paramedic's role in the care of these patients. Aim: To describe the incidence and nature of cases attended by paramedics and the care provided where the reason for attendance was associated with a history of palliative care. Design: This is a retrospective cohort study. Setting/participants: Adult patients (aged >17 years) attended by paramedics in the Australian state of Victoria between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 where terms associated with palliative care or end of life were recorded in the patient care record. Secondary transfers including inter-hospital transport cases were excluded. Results: A total of 4348 cases met inclusion criteria. Median age was 74 years (interquartile range 64–83). The most common paramedic assessments were 'respiratory' (20.1%), 'pain' (15.8%) and 'deceased' (7.9%); 74.4% (n = 3237) were transported, with the most common destination being a hospital (99.5%, n = 3221). Of those with pain as the primary impression, 359 (53.9%) received an analgesic, morphine, fentanyl or methoxyflurane, and 356 (99.2%) were transported following analgesic administration. Resuscitation was attempted in 98 (29.1%) of the 337 cases coded as cardiac arrest. Among non-transported cases, there were 105 (9.6%) cases where paramedics re-attended the patient within 24 h of the previous attendance. Conclusion: Paramedics have a significant role in caring for patients receiving palliative care. These results should inform the design of integrated systems of care that involve ambulance services in the planning and delivery of community-based palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health inequalities between metropolitan and rural areas persist despite a range of interventions over recent years. Social inclusion is often linked to health outcomes, yet few studies examine social inclusion across different geographic areas. In this study, a set of indicators of social inclusion were drawn together and sourced data were aligned to these indicators, which are readily available to primary health practitioners and population health planners. Through this process, a useful framework that provides a nuanced understanding to guide primary health policy and practice has been produced. Using Victoria as an example, 11 domains of social inclusion were explored using population data across 79 local government areas. Analysis highlighted significant differences in several indicators, with rural and regional local government areas ranking higher on measures of social participation, trust and social resources. The use of a diversity of data sources provided information on the social, economic, and education issues of an area, along with relational factors such as safety, trust, community resources and civic participation. A social inclusion lens can inform action to address the rural–urban primary health divide by determining and exploring the social inclusion characteristics of communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than seven billion mobile phones are estimated to be in service globally, with more than a billion older phones likely to be retired. A major barrier to a sustainable circular economy for mobile phones is people’s hoarding of their retired phones. Old mobile phones may be refurbished for re-use or ultimately dismantled for possible extraction of elements, including ‘conflict’ metals such as coltan (containing elements tantalum and niobium), mined in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and threatening wild populations of eastern Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri). Zoos Victoria cares for western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) who served as ambassadors for their Grauer’s gorilla counterparts in this community-based social marketing initiative. Through tracking of barcodes on satchels of recycled mobile phones, efficiency of ten different points of influence could be calculated for the ‘They’re Calling on You’ mobile phone recycling community campaign at Zoos Victoria in Australia. Over a six-year period (2009–2014), a total of 115,369 mobile phones were donated. The Courier Collect initiative resulted in 50,883 mobile phone donations (44% of total), followed by the Static Display at Melbourne Zoo, resulting in 29,778 mobile phone donations (26% of total). The number of phones collected for Keeper Talks (at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo) was 12,684 (11% of total), and in terms of fostering close connections between visitors and the conservation campaign, keeper talks were effective as one phone was donated for every four people attending a keeper talk at Werribee Open Range Zoo and one phone was donated for every 28 people who attended a keeper talk at Melbourne Zoo. We provide suggestions for future campaigns, so that accurate data capture can allow cost-benefit analyses to be conducted. Our results demonstrate that a conservation-based organisation, in partnership with corporate sponsors and community groups can effectively influenced people’s mobile phone recycling behavior, paving the way for international collaborations to maximize scale and impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to explore the use of a contemporary workplace stress model, the Job Demands‐Resources model, with direct‐care workers using a qualitative approach. The JD‐R model has successfully been used to predict health outcomes across different occupations using quantitative methods. However, the use of the generic questionnaire developed for this model may not always be appropriate. Direct‐care workers (n = 19) attended two focus groups and reported on their job demands, job resources and personal resources. Six themes relating to demands across the two groups: funding insecurity, time pressure, hindrance demands, poor systems, emotional engagement and dealing with client crises were identified. Participants identified clinical supervision, social support and progressive workplace resources as job resources. Finally, the personal resources identified by participants were professional behaviours, disposition and self‐care. The JD‐R model and its standard questionnaire captures some of these aspects of direct‐care work, but many were not assessed. As such, future investigations with direct‐care workers should ensure items related to poor systems, progressive workplace resources, disposition and professional behaviours are included. Alternatively, a qualitative approach should be used as a first step in the development of valid questionnaires when investigating workplace stress with this group to ensure their experience is accurately quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On behalf of the Committee of the APS Psychology of Relationships Interest Group, the Scientific Program Committee and myself, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the 3rd Annual Conference of the Psychology of Relationships Interest Group. Who would have thought that our conference would still be going strong 3 years later! It is a tribute to the interest and dedication of you our presenters, to the generosity of our Keynote Speakers, and to the unfailing efforts of the behind the scene organization and organisers. I am warmed and encouraged by your continued support for the conference that, clearly, has filled an important need for us the members. Our aim for this year's conference was to continue to provide a forum for the dissemination of current research, case studies and theoretical papers focusing on relationships with an emphasis on relationships in the home, work, and community. The diversity of refereed papers, as well as our Keynote Addresses, we have been proud to schedule, attests to this theme. This year, I would particularly like to thank Professor Judy Feeney for her Keynote Address and her contribution to our conference in general. I would also like to thank the Victoria Minister for Health, Ms Bronwyn Pike for her generous support of the conference and her encouraging words during her Conference Opening Address. Invited Round Table Discussion broadly entitled Does the Family Still Matter? Professor Marita McCabe (Deakin University) will act as the Discussant for the Round Table. I would like to extend our gratitude to these speakers as well as to the presenters in the Parallel Sessions scheduled across the two days of the conference. A special thank you also to the President, Professor Paul Martin, and staff of APS, who have been strong supporters of the Interest Group and who have encouraged us to venture forth with this our 3rd Annual, conference. As in other years, the independently refereed proceedings will be published in December, of this year. In conclusion, let me thank you — the attendees — for your participation in this our 3rd Annual Conference. With your ongoing contributions, I know that we shall continue to grow and develop both scientific and personal relationships of our own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the availability of numerous obesity prevention initiatives in developed countries including Australia, rising childhood obesity levels have been found among migrant communities which contribute to widening obesity-related disparities in these countries. We sought to understand the factors influencing the participation of migrant communities in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews among 48 migrant parents from African, Middle Eastern, Indian and Vietnamese origins living in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia to explore their views on childhood obesity and its prevention. Thematic analysis showed low obesity literacy among migrant communities, cultural influences negatively impacting their healthy lifestyle behaviours and cultural, family-level and community-level barriers impacting their participation in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. There is an urgent need to improve obesity literacy among migrant communities using bicultural workers in order to improve their responsiveness to childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Health interventionists are urged to incorporate culturally-mediated influences in the design of obesity prevention programs to achieve energy balance and maintain healthy weight among migrants. Such culturally appropriate approaches have the potential of reducing the widening ethnic-related obesity disparities in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study considered the role of informal carers and their decision-making regarding various aged care services that supposedly support their ageing relatives. Consideration was given to the stressors and overall well-being of informal carers and the support services they did or did not receive during their time of caregiving. A questionnaire was utilised to gain exploratory quantitative and qualitative data plus basic demographic information from informal carers who connected with a single caregiver association based in Victoria, Australia. Several themes emerged from the analysis of data regarding carer well-being, carer decision-making and carer relationships—particularly with respect to the various authorities and organisations ostensibly responsible for supporting carers. While the majority of participants indicated a religious association, nevertheless spiritual considerations were not stress factors paramount in their decision-making or their criticism of carer support services. Other concerns dominated such as the need of having appropriate practical support, better case management, organisational transparency and greater recognition of the role of informal carers. Although this research was isolated to a particular locality, carers in similar situations globally have indicated comparable stresses and challenges further indicating that greater accountability and improved organisation are required for the support of carers internationally. Recommendations are suggested for how service providers can support carers—most importantly, the need for ongoing government assessment and government service improvement in order to help carers care into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotive anti-tobacco advertisements can increase quitting. Discrete emotion theories suggest evoking fear may be more effective than sadness; less research has focused on hope. A weekly cross-sectional survey of smokers and recent quitters (N = 7683) measured past-month quit attempts. The main predictor was level of exposure to four different types of anti-tobacco advertisements broadcast in the two months prior to quit attempts: advertisements predominantly evoking fear, sadness, hope, or evoking multiple negative emotions (i.e., fear, guilt, and/or sadness). Greater exposure to fear-evoking advertisements (OR = 2.16, p < .01) increased odds of making a quit attempt and showed similar effectiveness among those in lower and higher SES areas. Greater exposure to advertisements evoking multiple negative emotions increased quit attempts (OR = 1.70, p < .01), but interactions indicated this was driven by those in lower SES, but not higher SES areas. Greater exposure to hope-evoking advertisements enhanced effects of fear-evoking advertisements among those in higher SES, but not lower SES areas. Findings suggest to be maximally effective across the whole population avoid messages evoking sadness and use messages eliciting fear. If the aim is to specifically motivate those living in lower SES areas where smoking rates are higher, multiple negative emotion messages, but not hope-evoking messages, may also be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common condition among reproductive‐aged women. However, its exact prevalence is unknown. Aims: To determine the prevalence of PCOS in Australian women aged 16–29 years using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria compared to self‐reported PCOS, to compare co‐morbidities between the groups and to determine the most distressing aspect of a diagnosis of PCOS for these young women. Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited from the Young Female Health Initiative (YFHI) and Safe‐D studies. Participants completed questionnaires, physical examinations and blood tests from 2012 to 2016. In March 2016, two supplementary questionnaires were distributed: the first, comprising questions on reproductive health and impact of diagnosis, was sent to participants who self‐reported having PCOS in the original studies. The second, comprising general reproductive health questions, was sent to the remainder. Results: The prevalence of PCOS, according to the NIH criteria, was 12% (31/254), while the prevalence of self‐reported PCOS was 8% (23/300). Only 35% (8/23) of those with self‐reported PCOS actually fulfilled the NIH criteria for PCOS. Comorbidities were relatively similar among groups. Finally, approximately 65% (15/23) were unhappy or worried about their initial PCOS diagnosis, with 72% (13/18) stating fertility concerns were the most distressing aspect of their diagnosis. Conclusions: The lack of consistent and accurate diagnosis of PCOS in young women potentially leads to over‐diagnosis. This creates unnecessary fears of health complications, particularly infertility. Therefore, we recommend the development of standardised criteria with set parameters that allow for better diagnosis of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic wounds on the physical, emotional, social, lifestyle and financial domains of quality of life among people who self-treat their wounds. Background Patient-centred models of care have received increased attention over recent decades because of the potential to contribute positively to the patient's health and well-being. A contemporary understanding of the effect of chronic wounds on quality of life may assist care providers and healthcare systems to respond to patient needs and improve patient outcomes. Method A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Participants were aged 18 years or older and had a chronic wound that was currently or previously self-treated. A sample of 25 participants was recruited from the community, and in-depth interviews were conducted in participants' homes. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes that represented the physical, emotional, social, lifestyle and financial domains of quality of life. Results Study participants ( n = 25) were 71 years of age (average), and the majority had a leg wound. Participants experienced a negative effect on quality of life. Physical limitations affected activity and compromised the management of other health conditions. Participants felt frustrated with and distrusting of healthcare professionals from whom they received advice and care. Daily lifestyle and workforce participation were disrupted when receiving professional care. Wound treatment and professional care expenses negatively affected personal finances. Conclusion Continued effort is required to develop relationships and treatment regimens that are conducive to healing and to optimise well-being. Additionally, healthcare systems should identify and address structural shortcomings of care services to create more patient-centred models of wound care in the community setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smokers often talk about antismoking campaigns, and these conversations can contribute to campaign effectiveness. However, little is known about the predictors and content of naturally occurring campaigngenerated conversations. In two studies (Study 1, N = 480; Study 2, N = 232), we systematically examined whether the occurrence and content of smokers' conversations after exposure to one of eight antismoking television advertisements were predicted by characteristics of (a) the message, (b) intrapersonal responses to the message, (c) the individual, and (d) the social context in which exposure occurred. In multivariable models, we found that conversations were more likely to occurwhen advertisement exposure occurred in the presence of others, and as the amount of anxiety elicited by the advertisement increased. Conversationsweremore likely to contain a favorable appraisal of the advertisement when the message elicited higher levels of sadness, and less likely to contain favorable appraisals when the respondent had finished secondary education (vs. lower levels of education). Stronger feelings of guilt reduced the likelihood that conversations contained unfavorable appraisals, and increased the likelihood that they contained quitting talk. These findings suggest several promising avenues for future investigations into why smokers talk and talk in particular ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with increasingly longer survival, and many treatment options for advanced disease. Men with prostate cancer report a high level of unmet supportive care needs. To evaluate unmet needs of a small cohort of Australian men with advanced prostate cancer, and their partners, and to assess the impact of attendance at a multidisciplinary allied health clinic on meeting these needs. Fifty patients were referred to the clinic by their treating specialists. Prior to their clinic consultations patients and partners completed study questionnaires to determine their unmet needs, prostate cancer and treatment related quality of life, levels of anxiety and depression, exercise patterns and prostate cancer-related functional status. Questionnaires were completed again 1 month post-clinic attendance, and pre-and post-clinic scores were compared. Patients reported unmet needs in several domains including psychological and sexuality needs. These showed a small reduction when assessed post-clinic. Partners also reported needs in the psychological and emotional, and information domains. Thirty-two percent of patients reported clinical levels of distress when assessed pre-clinic attendance, reduced to 8% reporting the same level of distress 1 month post-clinic. The identified high levels of unmet needs and levels of distress of this group of patients and partners highlights the necessity for additional resources to assist these men. A multidisciplinary allied health care prostate clinic as described here may further assist in the comprehensive care of these men and their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To build on the understanding of how individuals experience gastroparesis, how gastroparesis impacts on their lives and how they adapt to living with gastroparesis. Background Gastroparesis is a neurogastroenterological disorder associated with increased psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Research shows that gastroparesis poses a significant burden across many facets of life; however, less is known about how individuals cope and adapt to living with the condition. Design The study employed an interpretive phenomenological approach with semistructured interviews and thematic analysis. Methods Ten gastroparesis patients were interviewed over the telephone ( n = 8), Skype ( n = 1) or face-to-face ( n = 1). All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Results Key themes identified: (1) frustration, (2) identity and (3) coping and adaptation. Gastroparesis patients experience significant frustration around their diagnostic journey, being misunderstood and the burden of living with the illness. Patients differed in how they identified with the illness, and this appeared to be associated with adaptation and whether they remained socially engaged. Conclusions Gastroparesis is associated with significant frustration and burden; however, some patients adapt to living with the condition more effectively than others. Identity appears to play an important role in this relationship. Support aimed at fostering a health-focused and resilient identity may assist gastroparesis patients in adaptation. Relevance to clinical practice The findings of this study can help nurses and other healthcare professionals better understand the experience of living with gastroparesis and the factors that help patients best adapt to living with the condition. Nurses can help promote resilience in patients by discussing the importance of being health-focused rather than illness-focused. Nurses can also support patients by helping them problem-solve issues that may arise around social eating and remaining socially engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Walking among dog owners may be a means to achieve health benefits, yet almost half of owners (approximately 30% of households) are not regularly walking their dogs. Current research on the correlates of dog walking has generally considered intention as the primary determinant of behavior, yet the intention-behavior relationship is modest. The purpose of this paper was to apply a framework designed to evaluate the intention-behavior gap, known as multi-process action control (M-PAC), to understand daily walking among dog owners.Method: A community sample of adult dog owners (N = 227) in Victoria, Canada completed M-PAC measures of motivational (dog and human outcome expectations, affective judgments, perceived capability and opportunity), regulatory (planning), and reflexive (automaticity, identity) processes as well as intention to walk and behavior.Results: Three intention-behavior profiles emerged: a) non-intenders who were not active (26%; n = 59), b) unsuccessful intenders who failed to enact their positive intentions (33%; n = 75), and c) successful intenders who were active (40%; n = 91). Congruent with M-PAC, a discriminant function analysis showed that affective judgements (r = 0.33), automaticity (r = 0.38), and planning (r = 0.33) distinguished between all three intention-behavior profiles, while identity (r = 0.22) and dog breed size (r = 0.28) differentiated between successful and unsuccessful intenders.Conclusions: The majority of dog owners have positive intentions to walk, yet almost half fail to meet these intentions. Interventions focused on affective judgments (e.g., more enjoyable places to walk), behavioral regulation (e.g., setting a concrete plan), habit (e.g., making routines and cues) and identity formation (e.g., affirmations of commitment) may help overcome difficulties with translating these intentions into action, thus increasing overall levels of walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objective To understand the stressors related to life post kidney transplantation, with a focus on medication adherence, and the coping resources people use to deal with these stressors. Background Although kidney transplantation offers enhanced quality and years of life for patients, the management of a kidney transplant post surgery is a complex process. Design A descriptive exploratory study. Method Participants were recruited from five kidney transplant units in Victoria, Australia. From March-May 2014, patients who had either maintained their kidney transplant for ≥8 months or had experienced a kidney graft loss due to medication nonadherence were interviewed. All audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and underwent Ritchie and Spencer's framework analysis. Results Participants consisted of 15 men and 10 women aged 26-72 years old. All identified themes were categorised into: (1) Causes of distress and (2) Coping resources. Post kidney transplantation, causes of distress included the regimented routine necessary for graft maintenance, and the everlasting fear of potential graft rejection, contracting infections and developing cancer. Coping resources used to manage the stressors were first, a shift in perspective about how easy it was to manage a kidney transplant than to be dialysis-dependent and second, receiving external help from fellow patients, family members and health care professionals in addition to using electronic reminders. Conclusion An individual well-equipped with coping resources is able to deal with stressors better. It is recommended that changes, such as providing regular reminders about the lifestyle benefits of kidney transplantation, creating opportunities for patients to share their experiences and promoting the usage of a reminder alarm to take medications, will reduce the stress of managing a kidney transplant. Relevance to clinical practice Using these findings to make informed changes to the usual care of a kidney transplant recipient is likely to result in better patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify motivators and barriers that paediatricians face when discharging patients from outpatient specialty care.Aquestionnaire was administered to outpatient care paediatricians in Victoria working in one of five speciality public hospital clinics. Questions focused on how important various motivators and barriers were in respondents' decision to discharge a patient from their clinic. Nearly all (91%, n = 74) paediatricians invited to participate provided responses. The factor influencing the greatest proportion of paediatricians in their decision to discharge patients back to primary care was the potential that patients may not receive the required care from a GP. The next most highly rated barrier was that it is too complicated to arrange discharge; rated as a very important influence by one-third of paediatricians (33%, n = 24). Improvements to the discharge process may encourage more paediatricians to discharge patients back to their GP, therefore freeing up appointment slots. This in turn could reduce waiting times for paediatric outpatient clinics in Victoria. The concern from paediatricians that patients may not receive the required care from a GP warrants attention and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: People with intellectual disability (PWID) appear more likely to be victims and perpetrators of crime. However, extant evidence pertaining to these risks is limited by methodological weaknesses and the absence of consistent operational definitions. This research aimed to estimate the prevalence of criminal histories and victimisation using a large, well-defined sample of PWID.Methods: A case-linkage study was conducted comprising 2220 PWID registered with disability services in Victoria, Australia, whose personal details were linked with a state-wide police database. Criminal charges and reports of victimisation were compared to a non-disabled community comparison sample (n = 2085).Results: PWID were at increased risk of having a history of criminal charges, particularly for violent and sexual offences. Although the non-disabled comparison group had a greater risk of criminal victimisation overall, PWID had a greatly increased risk of sexual and violent crime victimisation.Conclusions: PWID are at increased risk of victimisation and perpetration of violent and sexual crimes. Risk of sex offending and victimisation is particularly elevated, and signalling the need for specialised interventions to prevent offending and to ensure victims is assisted with access to justice, support, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Literature suggests that overweight and obese young people use healthcare services more often, but this awaits confirmation in primary care.Objective: To identify health profiles of underweight, overweight and obese young people attending general practice and compare them to normal-weight youth and also to explore the weight-related health risks of eating and exercise behaviour in the four different weight categories.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with baseline data from a trial including 683 young people (14-24 years of age) presenting to general practice. Through computer-assisted telephone interviews data were obtained on number and type of health complaints and consultations, emotional distress, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and eating and exercise behaviour.Results: General practitioners (GPs) were consulted more often by overweight (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.28, 95% CI (1.04 to 1.57)) and obese youth (IRR: 1.54, 95% CI (1.21 to 1.97), but not for different health problems compared with normal-weight youth. The reason for presentation was seldom a weight issue. Obese youth reported lower physical HRQoL. Obese and underweight youth were less likely to be satisfied with their eating behaviour than their normal-weight peers. Exercise levels were low in the entire cohort.Conclusions: Our study highlights the need for effective weight management given that overweight and obese youth consult their GP more often. Since young people do not present with weight issues, it becomes important for GPs to find ways to initiate the discussion about weight, healthy eating and exercise with youth.Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN16059206. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education for Sustainability is an internationally recognised field of learning that is currently mandated as a cross-curriculum priority in the Australian curriculum. Empirical research into children’s views about sustainability, and how they develop sustainability knowledge, however, remains limited. This article focuses on research that investigated children’s perspectives of sustainability in Victoria, Australia. The children were recruited through the Sustainable School Expo where they delivered keynote presentations about their school’s respective Education for Sustainability initiatives. Data were generated from interviews with 16 children aged from 9 to 13 years and included a set of self-created and designed sustainability artefacts. The article contends that children have strongly conceptualised ideas about sustainability that are developed through interactions with material entities (human/more than human) in diverse environments. A key finding suggests that children become vital stakeholders in Education for Sustainability through experiential, investigative, sensorial and place-oriented ways of learning, which informs how they build sustainability knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The current investigation examined the relationship between cognitive impairment and sense of self in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Method:Forty-nine participants with dementia associated with AD were recruited through memory clinics in Victoria, Australia. The 26 participants of the healthy control sample were recruited from a retirement village. Self was measured via theReflectiveSelf-Function Scale– a theory of mind indicator that provides personal and social self-reflection scores. Cognitive assessment included measures of new learning, executive function, and speed of information processing. Results:A reduction in sense of self in mild AD was demonstrated in both personal and social domains, as compared to healthy adults of a similar age. With a focus on specific cognitive impairment relationships, new learning was found to predict personal self-reflection, whereas speed of information processing predicted social self-reflection capacity. Conclusion:Findings suggest that deficits in new learning ability contribute to a reduced ability of people with early AD to understand their mental world and interpret thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about themselves. This impaired capacity to self-reflect will be intrusive in daily activities that require monitoring of current self-performance. Furthermore, with reduced speed of information processing found to impact on ability to reflect on social relations, individuals with AD are placed at risk of reduced ability to understand their social world, including communicating and interacting with others. Notwithstanding the overall group findings, individual variability was evident which reinforces the need for person-centred care in dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Health graduates face personal and work-related stressors during the graduate year. The extent to which employers and health graduates have a shared understanding of graduate stressors is unclear but may impact graduate support and transition into the health profession.Aim and design:The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify factors that impact health graduates’ transition and integration into the workplace, comparing the perspectives of health graduates and organisational representatives.Method:Individual and small group semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 medical and 26 nursing graduates and five organisational representatives from a regional health organisation in Victoria, Australia. A thematic analysis was undertaken on the data.Findings:Five main categories were identified: dealing with change, dealing with conflict, workload, taking responsibility and factors that influence performance.Conclusion:Similarities and differences in the perspectives of health graduates and organisational representatives were identified. These findings have implications for current graduate support programs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving older adults from social clubs within a regional local government area in the state of Victoria, Australia, to identify factors associated with knowledge, and attitudes about oral health, as well as perceived self-efficacy.Methods: Participants underwent an oral health interview, followed by a comprehensive oral clinical examination.Results: A total of 225 older adults participated in this study. The mean age was 70.7 (range: 55-96) years. The majority was females (62.0%) and had incomplete secondary education or less (56.1%); 34.2% were fully edentulous. The mean oral health knowledge score was 24.7 (SD 3.8). None of the socio-demographic and oral health variables yielded a significant effect on the knowledge score. The attitude score had a mean of 5.0 (SD 1.6). Four variables remained significant in the multivariate analysis [p < 0.0001]. A dentate female, with tertiary education, had better oral health attitudes. Higher oral health knowledge scores were associated with a better attitude. The overall self-efficacy mean value was 83.1% (SD 10.6). Dental visits and oral health knowledge remained significant in the attitudes multivariate analysis [p < 0.01].Conclusion: Findings indicate that there were some misconceptions in oral health among this group of older adults. These are important influences on the success/failure of an oral health programme. Oral health education is needed to increase older adults' oral health knowledge, in particular of oral cancer, and to some extent periodontal disease, and improves attitudes and oral health self-efficacy. Oral health knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy were minimally explained by socio-demographic and clinical variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the impact of adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) on parents in two studies. In Study 1, 16 Australian parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury responded to open-ended questions about their child's nonsuicidal self-injury. Data from 10 of the adolescents were matched with parents' responses regarding the nature and extent of nonsuicidal self-injury, revealing that parents underestimated the frequency of nonsuicidal self-injury, the age of onset, and the likelihood their child would continue to self-injure. In Study 2, 22 American parents of adolescents with a history of nonsuicidal self-injury participated in interviews about their experiences. Parents in both studies reported changes in the parent-adolescent relationship after self-injury, which posed challenges to the family unit. When professional help had been sought, experiences were largely negative. Results support further investigation into family-based interventions to equip parents with tools to better relate to, and communicate with, their adolescent following self-injury. Results also suggest that mental-health professionals and general practitioners may require further training for nonsuicidal self-injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and distress, and often profoundly affects the quality of life of stroke survivors and their carers. With the support of carers, many stroke survivors are returning to live in the community despite the presence of disability and ongoing challenges. The sudden and catastrophic changes caused by stroke affects the mental, emotional and social health of both stroke survivors and carers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate, support and improve the psychosocial health of stroke survivors and their carers.Methods: This study is a prospective randomised controlled trial. It will include a total of 168 stroke survivors and carers randomly allocated into an intervention group (SCOHP) or a control group (usual care). Participants randomised to the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster) sessions guided by a structured workbook. The primary outcome measures for stroke survivors and carers will be health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D) and self-efficacy (GSE). Secondary outcome measures will include: anxiety and depression (HADS); coping (Brief COPE); work and social adjustment (WSAS); carer strain (MCSI); carer satisfaction (CASI); and treatment evaluation (TEI-SF and CEQ). Process evaluation and a health economic cost analysis will also be conducted.Discussion: We believe that this is an innovative intervention that engages the stroke survivor and carer and will be significant in improving the psychosocial health, increasing independence and reducing treatment-related costs in this vulnerable patient-carer dyad. In addition, we expect that the intervention will assist carers and stroke survivors to negotiate the complexity of health services across the trajectory of care and provide practical skills to improve self-management.Trial Registration: ACTRN12615001046594 . Registered on 7 October 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. This study aimed to identify the extent to which different coping strategies can predict benefit finding in prostate cancer experiences. Background. Although beginning evidence suggests that the capacity to find positives in adversity and find some benefit from cancer-associated experiences may be influenced by coping, little is known about which coping strategies can predict benefit finding in prostate cancer. Design. Cross-sectional. Method. Data from men (n = 209) diagnosed with prostate cancer receiving hormone suppression therapy were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations and backward stepwise multiple linear regression. Sociodemographic and clinical data, and self-report scales (17-item Benefit Finding Scale and Brief COPE) were used. Results. Bivariate analyses showed significant correlations between 14 coping strategies and benefit finding in prostate cancer. Multiple linear regression modelling showed that the predictor variables 'acceptance', 'positive reframing' and 'turning to religion' explained 35% of the variance in dependant variable benefit finding when the other variables were controlled for. Of the three predictor variables, acceptance and positive reinterpretation were most strongly related to benefit finding. Conclusion. The self-reported coping strategies 'acceptance' and 'positive reframing' emerged as being most significantly predictive of benefit finding in this sample. 'Turning to religion' was also significant, but to a somewhat lesser extent in predicting benefit finding in the disruptive experience of prostate cancer. Relevance to clinical practice. The use of positively oriented emotional coping strategies of 'acceptance', 'positive reframing' and 'turning to religion' are influential to benefit finding in prostate cancer. An understanding of the coping strategies that are predictive to benefit finding can assist clinicians to discern and target men who are more or less likely to find benefit, and to develop person-centred support strategies and interventions with an aim to optimising positive emotional states throughout the cancer journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]