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1
Parker, Gordon, Kay Roy, Philip Mitchell, Kay Wilhelm, and Kerrie Eyers. "Costing Depression and Its Management: An Australian Study." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 34, no. 2 (April 2000): 290–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2000.00714.x.
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Objective: To examine the cost impact of referral to a Mood Disorders Unit (MDU), by comparing pre-service and post-service costs, and MDU and control samples. Method: We studied tertiary referral MDU patients and a control group of consultants' depressed patients, with the principal comparison intervals being: (i) 12 months prior to and (ii) 6 months following baseline assessment, with costs annualised to allow the impact of assessment and treatment recommendation to be determined. In addition, we assessed any ‘personal cost’ of depression. Results: Following baseline assessment, MDU referrals showed a reduction in costs, while controls' costs increased, largely driven by contrasting directions in hospitalisation and social welfare costs. We identify variables associated with high and increased costs, including features of the earlier stages of the disorder, whether social welfare was received, diagnostic subtype and personality dysfunction, with multivariate analyses refining the variable sets. Self-report data indicated that patients judged the ‘personal cost’ of depression to exceed more formal cost parameters, so that to experience depression is itself depressogenic. Conclusions: This first Australian attempt to cost depression and its management in the clinical setting more provides a methodology for wider application in service evaluation studies rather than delivers an unequivocal answer to whether a specialist Mood Disorders Unit is cost efficient or not.
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Rocha, Armando Freitas da, Cláudia da Costa Leite, Fábio Theoto Rocha, Eduardo Massad, Giovanni Guido Cerri, Sueli Aparecida de Oliveira Angelotti, Eloisa Helena Garcia Gomes, and Carla Cristina M. Oliveira. "Mental retadation: a MRI study of 146 Brazilian children." Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria 64, no. 2a (June 2006): 186–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x2006000200003.
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We report results of a magnetic ressonance imaging (MRI) study of 146 Brazilian children, whose intelligence quotient scored less than 70. 50% of MRI examinations did not exhibit any signal of structural lesion (N group), whereas a focal thinning at the junction of the body and splenium of the corpus callosum; ventricular asymmetry; periventricular leukomalacia; gliosis and arachnoid cysts were among the most frequent findings in the remaining of subjects (L group). Maternal stress and altered blood pressure were the most frequent findings in the pre-natal history of both N and L children. Familial antecedents of mental deficiency were reported in 30% of both groups, whereas familiar history of alcoholism was important in N group (60% in N versus 0% in L groups). Neuropsychomotor development was delayed in 80% of the children in both groups. Aggressiveness is the most frequent finding in the post-natal children history.
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Nagendra, Janani, and John Snowdon. "An Australian study of delusional disorder in late life." International Psychogeriatrics 32, no. 4 (July 29, 2019): 453–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610219000966.
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ABSTRACTObjectives:There is a paucity of available research to guide clinical practice in delusional disorder (DD), particularly in late life. This study aimed to evaluate antipsychotic use and treatment outcomes in patients with DD aged 65 years and older. Secondarily, we sought to examine associated clinical features and socio-demographic variables.Design and setting:This descriptive study reviewed all consecutive cases of DD referred to an Australian old age psychiatry service over a 12-year period. Fifty-five patients were assessed in the inpatient and/or community setting, with data verified from a review of all individual medical records.Measurements:Data were collected with respect to antipsychotic use, outcomes, and clinical features. Socio-demographic variables of DD cases were compared to a non-matched comparison group (n=278) and an age and gender matched comparison group with a 1:1 ratio (n=55).Results:The predominant type of DD was persecutory (87%). Non-prominent hallucinations were experienced by 18%, and depressive symptoms occurred in 22%. There was a statistically significant association between having DD and social isolation (χ2= 11.04 (DF=1) p<0.001; McNemar’s test p<0.001). Atypical antipsychotic medication was prescribed in 32 cases, with follow-up permitted in 51 of the 55 cases (mean duration 36.6 months). Sustained recovery occurred in 20%, and improvement in an additional 35% of the study sample. Four patients subsequently developed dementia, and two developed mild cognitive impairment.Conclusions:Clinical improvement, including sustained recovery, occurred in more than half of those with late life DD. The majority of those who improved (96%) received atypical antipsychotics.
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Morice, Rodney, Susan Urbanc, and Don McNicol. "The Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS): Its Use in an Australian Study." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 19, no. 4 (December 1985): 390–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00048678509158847.
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The Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) is a new premorbid scale for use in schizophrenia, developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Its use in a recent Australian study is described. While total scores clearly discriminated schizophrenic from manic patients, and good test-retest reliability was demonstrated for the schizophrenic patients, the scores did not predict duration of hospitalisation for the schizophrenic group, as reported in the North American study. It is concluded that more research on the PAS is necessary before it can be accepted as a useful instrument in schizophrenia research and clinical practice.
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Khan, Wahaj Anwar A., Russell Conduit, Gerard A. Kennedy, Ahmed Abdullah Alslamah, Mohammad Ahmad Alsuwayeh, and Melinda L. Jackson. "Sleep and Mental Health among Paramedics from Australia and Saudi Arabia: A Comparison Study." Clocks & Sleep 2, no. 2 (June 8, 2020): 246–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/clockssleep2020019.
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Paramedics face many challenges while on duty, one of which is working different types of shifts. Shift work has been linked to a number of health issues such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Besides shift work, Saudi paramedics, a group that has not been investigated for sleep or mental health issues previously, may be facing more demands than Australian paramedics due to lower numbers of paramedics in comparison to the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sleep and mental health disorders among paramedics in Saudi Arabia and Australia. Paramedics were invited to complete a survey to assess stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, shift work disorder, obstructive sleep apnoea, fatigue, and general health. A total of 104 males Saudi paramedics (M age = 32.5 ± 6.1 years) and 83 males paramedics from Australia (M age = 44.1 ± 12.1 years) responded to the survey. Significantly higher rates of depression, PTSD, insomnia, and fatigue, along with significantly poorer physical functioning were observed among Saudi paramedics in comparison with Australian paramedics. However, Australian paramedics reported significantly poorer sleep quality and general health in comparison to Saudi paramedics. After removing the effect of driving and working durations, outcomes were no longer significant. The higher burden of depression and PTSD among Saudi paramedics may be explained by longer hours spent driving and longer work durations reported by this group. Taking into consideration the outcomes reported in this study, more investigations are needed to study their possible effects on paramedics’ cognition, performance, and safety.
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Beames, Lee, Esben Strodl, Frances Dark, Jennifer Wilson, Judith Sheridan, and Nicholas Kerswell. "A Feasibility Study of the Translation of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis into an Australian Adult Mental Health Clinical Setting." Behaviour Change 37, no. 1 (March 3, 2020): 22–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/bec.2020.1.
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AbstractThere is evidence that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) is an effective intervention for reducing psychotic symptoms. The recently updated Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines (RANZCP CPG) recommend CBTp for the therapeutic management of schizophrenia and related disorders. Translational research is required to examine how well CBTp can be applied into public mental health services. This feasibility study aimed to provide preliminary evidence on how acceptable, implementable, and adaptable individual or group CBTp may be within a public mental health service in Australia. Twenty-seven participants initially agreed to participate in the study with 16 participants being randomised to either group or individual therapy, 11 starting therapy and 7 completing therapy. The intervention involved approximately 20 h of manualised CBTp. Attendance was higher in the individual therapy. Subjective reports indicated that the therapy was acceptable to all completers. Participants who engaged in individual or group CBTp experienced a similar level of reduction in the severity of hallucinations and delusions. Individual CBTp may be a feasible, acceptable, and effective intervention to include in Australian public mental health services. A pilot trial is now required to provide further evidence for and guidance of how best to translate CBTp protocols to Australian mental health services.
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Hokama, T., M. Gushi Ken, and N. Nosoko. "Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Child Development." Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health 17, no. 1 (January 2005): 19–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/101053950501700105.
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A developmental test was carried out to evaluate the effect of iron deficiency anaemia on child development by using Bailey Scale of Infant Development (BSID) and Enjoji Scale of Infant Analytical development (ESID). The subjects were 54 children, divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 infants with anaemia; Group 2: 10 infants with a past history of anaemia and Group 3: 29 healthy normal infants without anaemia formed the control group. The characteristics of infants and their family background were not different among the three groups except for the male/female ratio. The mean mental developmental index (MDI) and psychomotor developmental index (PDI) of Group 1 and Group 2 were lower than that of control group using the BSID test. The mean speech development quotients of Group 1 and Group 2 were lower than that of control group in ESID. These tendencies were observed after subjects were stratified by sex. Therefore, the results of the study suggests that iron deficiency anaemia may affect child development especially speech development. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005: 17(1): 19-21.
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den Velde, W. Op, J. E. Hovens, I. Bramsen, A. C. McFarlane, P. G. H. Aarts, P. R. J. Falger, J. H. M. de Groen, and H. van Duijn. "A Cross-National Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Dutch-Australian Immigrants." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 34, no. 6 (December 2000): 919–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/000486700266.
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Objective: Studying the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who experienced World War II, but who have subsequently lived in different environments is a way of looking at the impact of recovery environment on PTSD. Immigrants had less support in terms of the social cohesion in their home country, but were not subjected to the same triggers of war-related intrusions. Method: Posttraumatic stress disorder was investigated in citizens from the Netherlands who emigrated to Australia in the post-World War II years (n = 251). Immigrants born between 1920 and 1930 (n = 171) were compared with a same-aged group living in Holland (n = 1461) for stressful war experiences and the extent of PTSD. Results: Those who had been exposed to the most severe war stress were over-represented in the immigrant group. Immigrants with current PTSD more often stated that motives for migration were threat of a third world war, disappointment with Dutch society and personal problems. We were unable to demonstrate specific effects of emigration on the prevalence of current PTSD. Conclusions: This study suggests that exposure to severe war stress promoted the need to emigrate. The comparable PTSD scores of the groups of war victims living in Australia and the Netherlands support the notion that extreme war stress may be considered the primary determining factor in the development of PTSD, and that actual post-war living circumstances are, in the long term, of subordinate importance.
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Goluza, Ivana, Jay Borchard, Nalin Wijesinghe, Kishan Wijesinghe, and Nagesh Pai. "To screen or not to screen? Vitamin D deficiency in chronic mental illness." Australasian Psychiatry 26, no. 1 (September 11, 2017): 56–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856217726717.
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Objectives: The objective of the current study was to examine the pathology test utilisation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) within an Australian inpatient psychiatric setting. Method: A retrospective audit of 300 random hospital files of those admitted as inpatients between Nov 2014 and Nov 2015 was undertaken. Data was quantitatively analysed and described. Results: The number of inpatients who had a vitamin D determination during their admission was 37/300 (12.33%). The mean vitamin D level of those tested was 51.63 nmol/l. Of those that were tested, 18/37 (48.6%) were mildly to moderately deficient. There was a statistically significant difference in age and length of stay between those that were and were not tested for vitamin D levels, p-value <0.001 and 0.017, respectively. In addition, a simple linear regression indicated a weak association between length of stay and vitamin D levels. Conclusion: This audit highlights vitamin D screening inadequacy. More research is recommended to establish tangible benefits of supplementation, while local practice provides valuable data for education and policy purposes.
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Lebădă, Ioana-Codruța, Mihaela Stanciu, Adina Frum, and Ion Gheorghe Totoian. "Evaluation of Iodate Status in a Group of Children with Stature Delay from Sibiu County." Acta Medica Transilvanica 24, no. 4 (December 1, 2019): 8–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/amtsb-2019-0003.
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Abstract Iodine deficiency in childhood can influence the mental and somatic growth and development of children by decreasing the thyroid hormone production. Iodine deficiency can be quantified by testing ioduria concentration. Our study has analyzed ioduria concentration of children detected with stature delay, coming from two distinct regions of Sibiu County, namely Gura Rîului, a known endemic area, and Şeica Mare, a lowland region. Approximately 60% of these children with iodine deficiency were detected in both regions, but a much lower average of ioduria was identified in the endemic area, where 23% of children presented severe iodine deficiency. The results are related to those published in other articles and call for their extension to larger group of children throughout the country, because iodine deficiency is still an issue of public health with multiple effects on the mental and somatic growth and development of children.
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Axisa, Carmen, Louise Nash, Patrick Kelly, and Simon Willcock. "Burnout and distress in Australian physician trainees: Evaluation of a wellbeing workshop." Australasian Psychiatry 27, no. 3 (March 11, 2019): 255–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856219833793.
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Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a workshop intervention to promote wellbeing for Australian physician trainees using a randomized-controlled design. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended a half-day workshop. Outcome measures included depression anxiety stress scale, professional quality of life scale and alcohol use disorders identification test. Demographic and work/life factors were measured. Measurements were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months, and the workshop was evaluated by participants. Results: High rates of burnout (76%) and secondary traumatic stress (91%) were detected among study participants and around half met screening criteria for depression (52%), anxiety (46%) and stress (50%) at baseline. Workshop evaluations showed that participants agreed that the training was relevant to their needs (96%) and met their expectations (92%). There was a small reduction in alcohol use, depression and burnout in the intervention group compared with the control group at 6 months, but these changes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: High rates of psychological morbidity detected in the study suggest that physician trainees are a vulnerable group who may benefit from initiatives that promote wellbeing and changes in the workplace to reduce distress.
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Mohammed, Atheer Abdullah, Abdul Hafeez Baig, and Raj Gururajan. "An examination of talent management processes in Australian higher education." International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management 69, no. 6 (January 13, 2020): 1271–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijppm-10-2018-0352.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the best processes that are currently used in managing talent in Australian higher education (HE) and to examine the policies in terms of talent management processes (TMPs) that are derived from objective one. Pragmatic benefits for academic institutions focused on enhancing talent. Design/methodology/approach This study selects the mixed method as its research design. In the qualitative study, there were three methods: brainstorming, focus group and individual interviews, followed by the quantitative questionnaire study. The sample consisted of 6 participants for brainstorming, 11 in focus group, 6 individual interviews and 286 participants for the quantitative questionnaire, all conducted in nine Australian universities. Findings Three key themes: talent retention, talent development and talent attraction were explored by the qualitative study. The quantitative study tests the level of an importance regarding the three TMPs explored. Practical implications This empirical research is one of the first few studies that extended the previous investigation of TMPs in various industries to the HE sector. This research provides more debates for adding more new ideas in the Australian education strategic plans for HE. Originality/value This study offers a value-add to talent management literature through designing a quantitative measurement of TMPs for the educational sector. Consequently, there is a deficiency of pragmatic evidence in terms of TMPs in the aforementioned sector. Furthermore, this study provides a clear and comprehensive outline of the extant scholarly research of TMPs from the period 2006–2018.
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Rowe, Heather J., Sara Holton, and Jane R. W. Fisher. "Postpartum emotional support: a qualitative study of women’s and men’s anticipated needs and preferred sources." Australian Journal of Primary Health 19, no. 1 (2013): 46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py11117.
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Australian health policy emphasises prevention, early intervention and improved pathways to treatment for perinatal mental disorders. Primary care is vital to achieving these aims. The aim of this study was to understand the anticipated needs and preferred sources of mental health information and support of men and women expecting their first baby. Nulliparous English-speaking expectant parents attending childbirth education programs in public and private hospitals participated in single sex small group discussions in late pregnancy. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using the group as the unit of analysis. Eight groups (22 women; 16 men) encompassing diverse socioeconomic circumstances were conducted. Analyses showed idealised fantasies consistently tempered with realistic expectations about adjustment to life with a baby. However, there were diverse and gendered views about whether primary care providers should discuss mental health with parents of infants and willingness to complete written questionnaires or be referred for specialist mental health care. Men regard primary family care as mother not father inclusive. Expectant parents readily anticipate realistic postnatal adjustment and need for emotional support. Increased provision of services that meet men’s needs and public understanding and acceptance of Australian integrated models of primary postnatal mental health care are needed.
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Fu, Lulu, and Hong Xu. "A Preliminary Study of the Effectiveness of Chinese Therapeutic Food on Regulating Female Reproductive Hormones." Integrative Medicine Insights 6 (January 2011): IMI.S5782. http://dx.doi.org/10.4137/imi.s5782.
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This study investigated the effectiveness of Chinese therapeutic food on female reproductive hormones in a double –blind, placebo –controlled clinical trial. Chinese kiwi fruit extract (Hong En No. 1) was provided for Australian peri-menopausal women for one month. Chinese medical assessment and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE) tests were conducted. Twenty-six urinary samples (pre and post-trial) which met the requirement of testing were analysed, the ratio 2-OHE:16alpha-OHE of pre-trial (1.18 ± 0.34) and post-trial (0.97 ± 0.29) in the control group (n = 6) decreased but showed no significant change, this ratio of pre-trial (1.44 ± 0.16) and post-trial (1.65 ± 0.21) in the treatment group (n = 7) indicated an improvement ( P = 0.066), which results in beneficial hormone regulation. The Chinese medicine assessment indicated that the patterns of disharmony mainly include Liver Qi stagnation and Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency patterns. No significant change observed in the control group, significant score reduction of the patterns of disharmony was achieved at post-trial in the treatment group, which indicates an improvement of general health condition.
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Kilic, Özgür, Sean Carmody, Judith Upmeijer, Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs, Rosemary Purcell, Simon Rice, and Vincent Gouttebarge. "Prevalence of mental health symptoms among male and female Australian professional footballers." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 7, no. 3 (July 2021): e001043. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001043.
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ObjectiveDetermining the prevalence of mental health symptoms (MHS) among Australian professional footballers compared with former players. A secondary aim was to assess whether MHS were associated with recent injury and psychological resilience.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 149 male (mean age: 24 years) and 132 female (mean age: 23 years) Australian A-League and W-League professional footballers (study group) and 81 former male footballers (control group, mean age: 39 years) for analysis. MHS and psychological resilience were assessed through validated questionnaires. Severe injuries were assessed through a single question. The adjusted Wald method was used to assess the primary aim. Logistic regression analyses was used to assess the secondary aim.ResultsThe most prevalent MHS among active footballers and former footballers was sport-related psychological distress (63%) and alcohol misuse (69%), respectively. Global psychological distress, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse and substance misuse were significantly lower among active male footballers than among former players. Increased psychological resilience among active male footballers was associated with a decrease in symptoms of sport-related and global psychological distress, anxiety and depression of 9%, 14%, 23% and 20%, respectively. Increased psychological resilience among female players was associated with 10% decrease in symptoms of depression. Problem gambling and sleep disturbance was associated with injury in the previous 6 months among active male and female footballers, respectively.ConclusionsMHS are prevalent among active and former professional footballers. Higher level of psychological resilience is associated with decreased reporting of MHS. Severe injury is associated with problem gambling and sleep disturbance.
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Biggs, Laura J., Helen L. McLachlan, Touran Shafiei, Rhonda Small, and Della A. Forster. "Peer supporters’ experiences on an Australian perinatal mental health helpline." Health Promotion International 34, no. 3 (January 16, 2018): 479–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dax097.
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SummaryPerinatal mental health is an important public health issue, and peer support is a potentially important strategy for emotional well-being in the perinatal period. PANDA Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia provides support to individuals impacted by perinatal mental health issues via the National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline. Callers receive peer support from volunteers and counselling from paid professional staff. The views and experiences of PANDA peer support volunteers have not previously been studied. We conducted two focus groups and an online survey to explore the experiences of women providing volunteer peer support on the Helpline. Data collection took place in October and November 2013. Two social theories were used in framing and addressing the study aims and in interpreting our findings: the Empathy–Altruism Hypothesis, and the Helper Therapy Principle. All PANDA volunteers were invited to participate (n = 40). Eight volunteers attended a focus group, and 11 survey responses were received. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. All survey respondents ‘strongly agreed’ that they felt positive about being part of PANDA. Thematic analysis of data from focus groups and open-ended survey responses identified the following themes: motivated to help others, supported to support callers, helping to make a difference and emotional impacts for volunteers. Respondents described a strong desire to support others experiencing emotional distress as a motivator to volunteer. Although perinatal peer support services are designed to benefit those who receive support, this study suggests volunteers may also experience personal benefits from the role.
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Evans, Larry, Tom George, Brendan O'sullivan, Philip Mitchell, Gordon Johnson, and Michael Adena. "An Australian Multicentre Study of Moclobemide versus Amitriptyline in the Treatment of Depression." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 26, no. 3 (September 1992): 454–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00048679209072070.
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This paper reports the results of a multicentre study of the new monoamine oxidase inhibitor, moclobemide, in the treatment of major depression. Moclobemide is a specific monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor which does not bind irreversibly to the enzyme, unlike the currently available MAOIs. Recent studies would suggest that in subjects taking moclobemide blood pressure elevation caused by tyramine is significantly less than that induced by the irreversible MAOIs, particularly when tyramine is administered in an oral form. Forty-eight patients with major depression were randomly allocated to treatment with either moclobemide or amitriptyline for 4 weeks in a double-blind comparison. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on measures of efficacy. Patients taking amitriptyline reported a greater number of side-effects and more patients in the amitriptyline group dropped out because of these. There were no reports of interactions with tyramine-containing foods.
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Butler, Tony, Stephen Allnutt, Azar Kariminia, and David Cain. "Mental Health Status of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Australian Prisoners." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 41, no. 5 (May 2007): 429–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048670701261210.
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Objective: To compare the mental health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners in New South Wales. Methods: The sample consisted of a cross-sectional random sample of sentenced prisoners, and a consecutive sample of reception prisoners. The sample was drawn from 29 correctional centres (27 male, two female) across New South Wales. Overall, 1208 men (226 Aboriginal), and 262 women (51 Aboriginal) participated in the study. Mental illness was detected using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-A) and a number of other screening measures incorporated into the programme. Results: No differences were detected in mental illness between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men, apart from depression, which was lower in the latter group. Aboriginal woman were more likely than non-Aboriginal women to screen positive for symptoms of psychosis in the prior 12 months and have a higher 1 month and 12 month prevalence of affective disorder; they also had higher psychological distress scores. Suicidal thoughts and attempts were the same in both groups. Conclusions: These findings confirm that the demand for mental health services in prisons is considerable, and that Aboriginal women are one of the most vulnerable groups. Services and programmes providing an alternative to incarceration are needed, as are culturally sensitive approaches to treatment.
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Robertson, Paul, Monica Hagali, Myrielle Allen, George Leao-Tuitama, Nick Kowalenko, and Allister Bush. "Pasifika Study Group: a child and adolescent mental health capacity building and leadership workshop with Pacific nations doctors and psychiatrists." Australasian Psychiatry 28, no. 1 (September 16, 2019): 42–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856219871893.
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Objective: To describe the Pasifika Study Group (PSG), a biennial workshop for Pacific nations psychiatrists and doctors working in psychiatry under the auspices of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Method: Since 2013 the PSG has brought together doctors and other health professionals from eight Pacific nations for a two-day study group. Results: On evaluation the PSG is considered informative and relevant and participants were generally confident of adapting the material to their own context. Conclusion: The PSG demonstrates a successful approach to regional engagement in mental health in the Pacific region.
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Delfabbro, Paul, Julie Lahn, and Peter Grabosky. "Psychosocial Correlates of Problem Gambling in Australian Students." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40, no. 6-7 (June 2006): 587–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01843.x.
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Objective: This study examined the relationship between problem gambling and psychological and social adjustment in Australian adolescents. Method: A sample of 926 adolescents (mean age=14.46 years) in the Australian Capital Territory were administered a standardized series of measures relating to gambling and psychosocial adjustment. Young people were asked to indicate how often they gambled, to report any difficulties that they might have been experiencing with gambling, and to complete a variety of measures of psychosocial health, including: the GHQ-12, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale and other measures of social functioning. Results: The results were generally consistent with previous international studies. Those adolescents classified as problem gamblers were found to have poorer scores on all psychosocial measures. Although many in the problem gambling group reported being part of a socially active peer group, they also reported being more alienated and unpopular among their classmates. Conclusions: The results suggest that problem gambling appears to be a significant risk factor for poorer mental health among Australia adolescents. Given previous adult research indicating a link between early gambling and long-term gambling problems and poorer life outcomes (e.g. Abbott, McKenna and Giles, 2000 in New Zealand), these findings suggest a need to enhance existing educational initiatives and services specifically designed to assist adolescents with gambling problems.
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Comino, Elizabeth J., Elizabeth Harris, Tien Chey, Vijaya Manicavasagar, Jonine Penrose Wall, Gawaine Powell Davies, and Mark F. Harris. "Relationship Between Mental Health Disorders and Unemployment Status in Australian Adults." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 37, no. 2 (April 2003): 230–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01127.x.
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Objectives: To compare the prevalence of anxiety and affective disorders among employed and unemployed patients and to compare the type of treatment received between the two groups for these disorders. Method: A secondary analysis of the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults cross-sectional study was undertaken. Results: Unemployed adults were more likely to have symptoms of anxiety (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 2.80–3.41) or an affective disorder (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.95–2.27) or anxiety and/or affective disorders (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.37–2.69). Unemployed participants with symptoms were less likely to have seen a general practitioner for treatment but when they did they received similar care to employed participants. Conclusions: These results confirm studies reported elsewhere that the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and/or affective disorders is higher for unemployed people. The data provide further evidence that people with an anxiety and/or affective disorder who are unemployed are not seeking medical treatment. However, unlike previous research undertaken by our group, these results indicate that symptomatic adults who seek help receive comparable treatment in general practice irrespective of their employment status.
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Remine, Maria D., and P. Margaret Brown. "Comparison of the Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in Deaf and Hearing Children and Adolescents in Australia." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 44, no. 4 (April 2010): 351–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00048670903489866.
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Objective: The aims of the present study were to (i) identify the prevalence rate and nature of mental health problems in a group of Australian deaf children and adolescents and compare these to those reported for the Australian hearing population; and (ii) identify specific demographic characteristics that may typify deaf children and adolescents with mental health problems. Method: Sixty-six parents of deaf children and adolescents aged 6–18 years, their teachers and 38 adolescents participated in the study. Data related to mental health problems were collected using the Child Behaviour Checklist and Youth Self-Report. Data related to demographic characteristics were obtained via parent and teacher surveys. Results: The overall prevalence rate of mental health problems reported by parents and adolescents in the present study is comparable to that of the Australian hearing population. Parents in the present study, however, reported significantly more concerns on the social problem and thought problem scales than did Australian parents of hearing children and adolescents. There were also significant differences between the prevalence and nature of mental health problems as reported by the deaf adolescents in the present study when compared to deaf adolescents in another Australian study. These differences appear to be explained by differences in the preferred communication mode of the participants in the two studies. Conclusions: The known heterogeneity within the Australian deaf child and adolescent population with respect to preferred mode of communication has important implications not only for the appropriate selection and use of psychiatric instruments in assessing child and adolescent mental health but also for the accurate reporting of the prevalence and nature of mental health problems within this population.
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Farrer, Louise, Amelia Gulliver, Jade KY Chan, Kylie Bennett, and Kathleen M. Griffiths. "A Virtual Mental Health Clinic for University Students: A Qualitative Study of End-User Service Needs and Priorities." JMIR Mental Health 2, no. 1 (February 11, 2015): e2. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/mental.3890.
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Background Help seeking for mental health problems among university students is low, and Internet-based interventions such as virtual clinics have the potential to provide private, streamlined, and high quality care to this vulnerable group. Objective The objective of this study was to conduct focus groups with university students to obtain input on potential functions and features of a university-specific virtual clinic for mental health. Methods Participants were 19 undergraduate students from an Australian university between 19 and 24 years of age. Focus group discussion was structured by questions that addressed the following topics: (1) the utility and acceptability of a virtual mental health clinic for students, and (2) potential features of a virtual mental health clinic. Results Participants viewed the concept of a virtual clinic for university students favorably, despite expressing concerns about privacy of personal information. Participants expressed a desire to connect with professionals through the virtual clinic, for the clinic to provide information tailored to issues faced by students, and for the clinic to enable peer-to-peer interaction. Conclusions Overall, results of the study suggest the potential for virtual clinics to play a positive role in providing students with access to mental health support.
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Chan, Sally Wai-chi, Victoria Williamson, and Helen McCutcheon. "A Comparative Study of the Experiences of a Group of Hong Kong Chinese and Australian Women Diagnosed With Postnatal Depression." Perspectives in Psychiatric Care 45, no. 2 (April 2009): 108–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00211.x.
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Shortt, Jake, Neil Waters, Mary Comande, Mark N. Polizzotto, Martine Moran, Marija Borosak, Damien J. Jolley, and Erica M. Wood. "Red Cell Transfusion Support for Hematology and Oncology Patients Is Both Substantial and Often Required Urgently. Results from the Bloodhound Study: A Comprehensive, Prospective Australian Study of Red Cell Use." Blood 112, no. 11 (November 16, 2008): 3047. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v112.11.3047.3047.
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Abstract Although red cell (RC) transfusion is often essential for the management of malignant and benign hematology, few prospective data are available on RC use in this patient group. In order to inform national emergency blood supply planning, we performed a longitudinal, prospective audit of RC use within the Australian state of Victoria (population 5.5 million) over a 9-month period (Jun ‘07–Feb ‘08). Our primary aims were to identify major clinical areas of RC utilisation and determine the urgency of RC use therein. Hemato-oncology (HO) patients were the largest overall user of RC in the state, prompting the detailed subgroup analysis reported in this abstract. 5132 RC units were randomly selected at point of production and distributed at a constant rate along with state-wide inventory (thus sampling 3.7% of the total population of RCs distributed during the study period). Details regarding the fate of each selected unit were actively followed by collation of associated case-report forms (CRFs). 5052 (98.4%) CRFs were returned; 4829 (95.6% CI±0.5%) of RCs were transfused. 1623 (33.6±1.3%) of these were administered to HO patients (median HO recipient age 68, range 1–100; 44% female). Clinical areas of use within the HO cohort included: malignant hematology/stem cell transplant, 34.8±2.3% of RCs; non-hematological oncology, 29.0±2.2%; benign hematology, 27.8±2.2% and hematinic deficiency, 8.4±1.4%. Although few (1.5±0.1%) transfusions were required acutely (<1 hr), the majority (53.6±2.4%) of HO recipients required RCs within 24hrs; only 3.1±0.9% of transfusions were considered deferrable for more than 1 week. Within individual clinical categories, urgency of RC supply was highest for the malignant disorders, with 59.7±4.1% of RCs for malignant hematology/SCT and 61.9±4.4% of RCs for non-hematological oncology required within 24hrs. The corresponding figures for benign hematology and hematinic deficiency were 36.4±4.4% and 24.4±9.5% respectively. The ABO group of recipients did not differ from the background Australian population estimates, but there was a significant excess of Rh positivity in the benign hematology cohort, possibly due to segregation of Rh phenotype with transfusion-requiring hemoglobinopathies (89.4±2.9% Rh +ve in benign hematology vs 82.5±2.2% in Australian population; p<0.001). Product modifications (including extended RC phenotyping, CMV screening, leucodepletion, irradiation) were more heavily utilised by HO patients than the wider transfused patient population. These results demonstrate the continuing importance of RC support in HO patients, and underscore the predominantly high acuity of RC transfusion in this group. We suggest that using increasingly restrictive transfusion thresholds in the context of a major blood shortage would be unlikely to have a significant impact on RC demands by HO patients with established anemia. However, delaying the administration (or reducing the intensity) of myelosuppressive chemotherapy as part of a RC triaging strategy may result in major short-to-intermediate term gains in inventory for transfusion services. The identification of ongoing, largely avoidable, low acuity RC transfusion for hematinic deficiency within the cohort also provides an opportunity to improve clinical practice while conserving finite RC resources. Consideration of alternatives to transfusion, optimisation of hematinics and judicious use of erythropoietic stimulating agents remain an important and potentially under-utilised facet to HO patient care.
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Westerink, Jan, and Leah Giarratano. "The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Partners and Children of Australian Vietnam Veterans." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 33, no. 6 (December 1999): 841–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.1999.00638.x.
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Objective: This study explored the emotional and physical health of a group of families of Australian Vietnam veterans suffering posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim was to study the impact of PTSD upon the families of the sufferers. Method: The families of a random sample of Vietnam veterans receiving treatment at a specialist PTSD Unit were invited to participate in this study. Partners of the veterans and children over the age of 15 years were eligible to participate. Four selfreport psychometric inventories were administered assessing psychological distress, social climate within their families, self-esteem, and a range of lifestyle issues, including physical health. A control group, consisting of a sample of volunteers, was also surveyed. Results: The partners of the Vietnam veterans showed significantly higher levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression than the control group. They reported significantly less cohesion and expressiveness in their families and significantly higher levels of conflict. The partners also had significantly lower levels of self-esteem. The children of the veterans reported significantly higher levels of conflict in their families. However, the children showed no significant differences on measures of psychological distress and self-esteem from their matched counterparts. Conclusions: These findings support overseas studies that indicate that the families of PTSD sufferers are also impacted by the disorder. In this study, the families of Australian Vietnam veterans experienced more conflict and their partners were significantly more psychologically distressed (i.e. somatic symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, depression and low self-esteem) than a matched control group.
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Tiangga, Eleanor, Asha Gowda, and John A. Dent. "Vitamin D deficiency in psychiatric in-patients and treatment with daily supplements of calcium and ergocalciferol." Psychiatric Bulletin 32, no. 10 (October 2008): 390–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.107.019109.
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Aims and MethodThis study examines the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a group of male psychiatric in-patients and follows 16 of them prospectively during treatment with calcium and ergocalciferol tablets.ResultsOf 17 male patients, 15 had vitamin D deficiency and two had borderline deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with Black and minority ethnic background. Improvement in vitamin D status was observed following replacement therapy.Clinical ImplicationsVitamin D deficiency may be widespread in the psychiatric population particularly in Black and minority ethnic but also in White European in-patients. Vitamin D level should be routinely monitored in psychiatric in-patients. for those with vitamin D deficiency, replacement therapy can be commenced with calcium and ergocalciferol tablets (containing 10 μg of ergocalciferol), which is safe and well tolerated. All psychiatric in-patients should have adequate exposure to sunlight and attention to diet to ensure that they receive their recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals.
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McBride, Trish, and Jane Fuller. "ThroughBlue: A support group for women affected by depression." Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work 25, no. 1 (May 19, 2016): 54–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol25iss1id98.
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Recent US research has validated the benefits and therapeutic value of peer support groups as a treatment component for depression, as has a 2008 Australian study of a women’s mental health support group. As facilitators working weekly with ThroughBlue, a support group of women who have experience of depression, we had already discovered the truth of their findings. This paper is a description of the way this Wellington group works, and may be of use to others looking to set up or facilitate similar groups elsewhere.
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Carter, Gregory L., Cathy Issakidis, and Kerrie Clover. "Correlates of Youth Suicide Attempters in Australian Community and Clinical Samples." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 37, no. 3 (June 2003): 286–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01179.x.
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Objective: This study (i) explores differences between a clinical sample of deliberate selfpoisoning (DSP) patients and a community sample who reported previous attempted suicide (AS); and (ii) examines correlates of suicidal behaviour in these groups compared with a community control group (CC) with no suicidal behaviour. Method: The study design was: case–case, case–control and cross-sectional population studies. A clinical sample of DSP (n = 51), a community sample of AS (n = 31) and a community sample with no suicidal behaviour (n = 842) were used, all aged 18–24 years. The DSP and AS groups were compared on several variables and two logistic regression models were developed for risk of (i) DSP and (ii) AS compared to community controls. Results: The adjusted odds ratios for DSP were: female gender (OR = 5.7, CI = 1.7–19.4), anxiety (OR = 7.4, CI = 2.2–25.1), affective (OR = 23.0, CI = 6.9–76.5), or substance-use disorder (OR = 19.2, CI = 5.6–65.4) and greater mental health related disability (OR = 0.5, CI = 0.3–0.7 for 1 SD decrease). For AS the results were: anxiety (OR = 9.4, CI = 1.7–52.8) or substance-use disorder (OR = 3.0, CI = 1.1–8.7) and greater mental health disability (OR = 0.5, CI = 0.4–0.7). Affective disorder was close to significant for the AS group (OR = 4.0, CI = 0.9–17.1). Conclusions: Correlates of DSP/AS were usually more powerful in the clinical group, but showed a similar pattern of psychiatric disorder and disability factors in both groups, supporting a continuum of risk factors across these groups. Interventions based on modifiable risk factors could target the same factors for public health, primary care or hospital populations: anxiety, depression and substance use disorders and mental health related disability.
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Wileman, Bud, Eleonora Gullone, and Simon Moss. "The Juvenile Persistent Offender, Primary Group Deficiency and Persistent Offending Into Adulthood: A Prospective Study (1980-2002)." Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 14, no. 1 (April 2007): 66–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/pplt.14.1.66.
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Ates Bulut, Esra, Pinar Soysal, Idil Yavuz, Suleyman Emre Kocyigit, and Ahmet Turan Isik. "Effect of Vitamin D on Cognitive Functions in Older Adults: 24-Week Follow-Up Study." American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementiasr 34, no. 2 (January 1, 2019): 112–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1533317518822274.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of vitamin D replacement on cognitive function in older adults. A total of 560 patients who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment including Global cognitive assessment, Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) twice in 6-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Oral cholecalciferol was replaced to patients with vitamin D deficiency routinely. In baseline cognitive scores, BADL-IADL scores were lower in the severe deficiency group than in the deficiency and adequate groups ( P < .05). With regard to the relation between changes in cognitive functions, BADL-IADL scores on the 6-month versus baseline, no difference was determined in patients with and without dementia ( P > .05). Vitamin D replacement may not improve cognitive performance in older adults, even if vitamin D is raised to adequate level, suggesting that longer term replacement therapy may be needed to improve cognitive function.
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Chee, Kit-Yun, and Perminder Sachdev. "The Clinical Features of Tourette's Disorder: An Australian Study Using a Structured Interview Schedule." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 28, no. 2 (June 1994): 313–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048679409075645.
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The clinical features of an Australian series of patients fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for Tourette's Syndrome (TS) were examined. Fifty patients, recruited from a hospital-based outpatient clinic and a self-help group, were interviewed using a structured schedule. TS is a complex disorder with wide ranging manifestations. Forty male and ten female TS patients with a mean age of 20.8 years (SD11.2) were assessed. The mean age of onset of tics was 8.3 years (SD 3.3). Simple motor tics occurring in the rostral body regions were more common (eye 86%, face and head 80%) when compared both to simple tics occurring caudally (leg 52%) and complex motor tics (58%). Simple vocal tics were more common (94%) than complex ones (44%). There was a rostrocaudal pattern in the age of onset and severity of simple motor tics. Rates of comorbidity were 32%, 18% and 30% for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Major Depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder respectively and this was reflected in the considerable proportion (32%) of the sample who first presented for reasons other than their tics. There were substantial delays between the age of first presentation and diagnosis of TS owing to the insidious onset of the disorder, misdiagnosis and delays in presentation for help. A comparison of the features of the present patients with those of other published studies revealed similarities with some differences. Better clinical recognition of the symptoms and modes of presentation of TS may improve existing delays in diagnosis and treatment.
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Butler, Tony, Gavin Andrews, Stephen Allnutt, Chika Sakashita, Nadine E. Smith, and John Basson. "Mental Disorders in Australian Prisoners: a Comparison with a Community Sample." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 40, no. 3 (March 2006): 272–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01785.x.
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Background: The plight of those with mental health problems and the possible role of prisons in “warehousing” these individuals has received considerable media and political attention. Prisoners are generally excluded from community-based surveys and to date no studies have compared prisoners to the community. Objective: The objective was to examine whether excess psychiatric morbidity exists in prisoners compared to the general community after adjusting for demographics. Method: Prison data were obtained from a consecutive sample of reception prisoners admitted into the state's correctional system in 2001 (n=916). Community data were obtained from the 1997 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (n=8168). Mental health diagnoses were obtained using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and a number of other screening measures. Weighting was used in calculating the 12-month prevalence estimates to control for demographic differences between the two samples. Logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and education was used to compare the prison and community samples. Results: The 12-month prevalence of any psychiatric illness in the last year was 80% in prisoners and 31% in the community. Substantially more psychiatric morbidity was detected among prisoners than in the community group after accounting for demographic differences, particularly symptoms of psychosis (OR=11.8, 95% CI 7.5–18.7), substance use disorders (OR=11.4, 95% CI 9.7–13.6) and personality disorders (OR=8.6, 95% CI 7.2–10.3). Mental functioning and disability score were worse for prisoners than the community except for physical health. Conclusions: This study found an overrepresentation of psychiatric morbidity in the prisoner population. Identifying the causes of this excess requires further investigation.
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Page, Andrew, Richard Taylor, and Graham Martin. "Recent Declines in Australian Male Suicide are Real, not Artefactual." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 44, no. 4 (April 2010): 358–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00048670903489874.
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Objectives: The aim of the present study was to clarify the extent to which the recorded marked decline in young male suicide (20–34 years) in Australia since 1998 is attributable to misclassification of cause of death information. Methods: Secular trends in young male suicide rates were investigated for the period 1976–2005. Suicide rates in the period after the peak of the epidemic in this age group (1998) were re-calculated based on published estimates of under-enumeration of suicide data, and misclassification of likely suicide cases to other unintentional and undetermined external causes. Two misclassification scenarios were used to revise young male suicide rates from 1998: previously reported estimates of 9% under-enumeration due to misclassification of unintentional causes of death, and 17% under-enumeration due to misclassification of open cases in addition to unintentional causes of death. All-cause mortality was also examined. Results: Recorded male suicide in the 20–34 year age group increased over the study period, peaking in 1998 at 39 per 100 000, before declining sharply in the period 1999–2005 by 44% to 22 per 100 000 in 2005. Following adjustment for misallocation under the first scenario, suicide rates declined 38% to 24 per 100 000, and under the second scenario declined 33% to 26 per 100 000. Revised suicide rates were not materially different from recorded suicide rates based on 95% confidence intervals over this period. All-cause mortality declined from 1999 due to reductions in suicide and other causes. Conclusion: The recent marked decline in young male suicide in Australia is real. The effects of misallocation of likely suicide cases to other causes did not substantially affect population trends in suicide rates in the period after 1998. There is still a need to account in detail for why young male suicide has declined so substantially during the period after 1998.
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Khalafallah, Alhossain A., Abdul-Rauf O. Ibraheem, Qiong Yue Teo, Abdul-Majeed AlBarzan, Ramanathan Parameswaran, Emily Hooper, Toly Pavlov, Amanda E. Dennis, and Terry Hannan. "Review of Management and Outcomes in Women with Thrombophilia Risk during Pregnancy at a Single Institution." ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology 2014 (February 17, 2014): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/381826.
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Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). We retrospectively studied 38 Caucasian pregnant women with thrombophilia risk and compared their obstetric outcomes with a matched cohort without known thrombophilia risk during the period between January 2007 and December 2010. There were (2) cases with factor V Leiden, (6) prothrombin gene mutation, (1) antithrombin III deficiency, (2) protein C deficiency, (3) protein S deficiency, (10) MTHFR mutation, (7) anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and (1) lupus anticoagulant. Patients without thrombophilia who presented with recurrent unprovoked VTE were considered as high risk (6 cases). Most patients received anticoagulation (34/38) with aspirin only (6), enoxaparin (27), and warfarin (1). Twenty-six out of thirty-eight pregnant women (68.4%) with an increased risk of thrombophilia experienced one or more obstetric complications defined as hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta abruptio, VTE, and oligohydramnios, compared with 15 out of 40 (37.5%) pregnant women in the control group (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.42, 9.21, P<0.001). The incidence of obstetric complications was significantly higher in the thrombophilia group compared to the controls. However, these complications were the lowest among patients who received full-dose anticoagulation. Our study suggests that strict application of anticoagulation therapy for thrombophilia of pregnancy is associated with an improved pregnancy outcome. The study was registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under ACTRN12612001094864.
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Flaherty, Rosemaria, and Rodney Cooper. "Piloting a parenting skills program in an Australian rural child protection setting." Children Australia 35, no. 3 (2010): 18–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1035077200001139.
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This rural pilot study examined the effectiveness of a brief parenting skills intervention delivered to parents/carers of children who had experienced moderate to severe child abuse. The participants were 35 parents/carers living in rural New South Wales, Australia, who were recruited through referrals to a rural community health service. Participants were assessed pre and post the brief parenting skills education program using a battery of standardised self-report measures. Participants were randomly assigned to an immediate intervention group or a 3-month waitlist control group. The intervention was a three session ‘1-2-3 Magic’ parenting program.T-test analyses indicated that carers who received the intervention reported significant improvements in their mental health and discipline practices, and a significant reduction in child problem behaviour compared to the waitlist control group.The results of the study suggest that a brief psycho-educational parenting group intervention may be effective for carers of abused children in the short-term.
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Drovandi, Aaron, Peta-Ann Teague, Beverley Glass, and Bunmi Malau-Aduli. "Do health warnings on cigarette sticks dissuade smokers and non-smokers? A focus group and interview study of Australian university students." Psychology Research and Behavior Management Volume 12 (May 2019): 361–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s193754.
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Wassie, Molla Mesele, Lisa N. Yelland, Lisa G. Smithers, Enzo Ranieri, and Shao Jia Zhou. "Comparison of iodine status pre- and post-mandatory iodine fortification of bread in South Australia: a population study using newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration as a marker." Public Health Nutrition 22, no. 16 (August 9, 2019): 3063–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019001915.
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AbstractObjective:The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mandatory iodine fortification of bread on the iodine status of South Australian populations using newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration as a marker.Design:The study used an interrupted time-series design.Setting:TSH data collected between 2005 and 2016 (n 211 033) were extracted from the routine newborn screening programme in South Australia for analysis. Iodine deficiency is indicated when more than 3 % of newborns have TSH > 5 mIU/l.Participants:Newborns were classified into three groups: the pre-fortification group (those born before October 2009); the transition group (born between October 2009 and June 2010); and the post-fortification group (born after June 2010).Results:The percentage of newborns with TSH > 5 mIU/l was 5·1, 6·2 and 4·6 % in the pre-fortification, transition and post-fortification groups, respectively. Based on a segmented regression model, newborns in the post-fortification period had a 10 % lower risk of having TSH > 5 mIU/l than newborns in the pre-fortification group (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0·90; 95 % CI 0·87, 0·94), while newborns in the transitional period had a 22 % higher risk of having TSH > 5 mIU/l compared with newborns in the pre-fortification period (IRR = 1·22; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·31).Conclusions:Using TSH as a marker, South Australia would be classified as mild iodine deficiency post-fortification in contrast to iodine sufficiency using median urinary iodine concentration as a population marker. Re-evaluation of the current TSH criteria to define iodine status in populations is warranted in this context.
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Koller, Shawn L., and Richard E. Hicks. "Psychological Capital Qualities and Psychological Well-Being in Australian Mental Health Professionals." International Journal of Psychological Studies 8, no. 2 (April 15, 2016): 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v8n2p41.
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<p>The mental health of mental health professionals has not been studied in detail to date, yet the work is stressful and many have left the field. What are the positive qualities that help mental health workers cope with their work and what pressures do they face? The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychological qualities and experiences of 56 Australian mental health professionals and compare these qualities with those of a general working group sample of 78 respondents, in regard to the similarities and differences demonstrated in psychological capital, positive psychological well-being, coping strategies, and mental health (depression, anxiety and stress) characteristics. Results from our online survey showed that the Australian mental health workers in our sample scored significantly higher on positive psychological capital attributes of optimism and goal-directed hope; significantly higher on psychological well-being (especially in valuing personal growth, and environmental mastery); and they scored significantly higher in the ability to use emotional coping effectively. They scored similarly to the general workplace sample on the depression, anxiety and stress scales; and similarly on active coping strategies. Conclusions are that those mental health workers continuing in the profession generally have high psychological well-being, provide a positive environment for their clients through their “psychological capital” emphasising optimism and hope, and they deal with their own pressures through positive emotional coping.</p>
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Walton, Courtney C., Simon Rice, Caroline X. Gao, Matt Butterworth, Matti Clements, and Rosemary Purcell. "Gender differences in mental health symptoms and risk factors in Australian elite athletes." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 7, no. 1 (March 2021): e000984. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000984.
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ObjectivesTo examine gender differences in the reporting of, and contributors to, mental health symptoms.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study of adult athletes within a national elite sporting system (n=523; women=292;56%), who completed a battery of assessments including measures of mental health and adverse life events. Group differences across a range of scores were examined, followed by gender-stratified bootstrapped linear regression and meta-regression on measures where gender differences were observed.ResultsWomen athletes reported higher rates of mental health symptoms, and lower rates of mental well-being, although there were no differences in general psychological distress or life satisfaction. Women reported experiencing several adverse life events at higher rates than men; particularly interpersonal conflict, financial hardship and discrimination. Low self-esteem was consistently associated with poorer mental health outcomes for all athletes. While a range of factors were associated with poor mental health in men or women athletes, meta-regression suggested that experiencing financial difficulty and social media abuse were more uniquely associated with mental health symptoms in men.ConclusionGender differences in mental health in elite athletes are apparent. Approaches to increasing well-being are required in elite sport.
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McKENZIE, D. P., J. F. IKIN, A. C. McFARLANE, M. CREAMER, A. B. FORBES, H. L. KELSALL, D. C. GLASS, P. ITTAK, and M. R. SIM. "Psychological health of Australian veterans of the 1991 Gulf War: an assessment using the SF-12, GHQ-12 and PCL-S." Psychological Medicine 34, no. 8 (November 2004): 1419–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291704002818.
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Background. Elevated rates of psychological morbidity and symptomatology have been widely reported in 1991 Gulf War veterans. The present study used brief self-report instruments to compare the psychological health of Australian Gulf War veterans with that of a randomly sampled military comparison group.Method. The 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Specific (PCL-S) and Military Service Experience (MSE) questionnaire were administered to 1424 male Australian Gulf War veterans and 1548 male Australian Defence Force members who were operational at the time of the Gulf War conflict, but were not deployed there.Results. The Gulf War veterans exhibited poorer psychological health, as measured by the above three instruments, than the comparison group members. For Gulf War veterans, the number of stressful experiences, as measured by the MSE questionnaire, was correlated with scores on the three instruments. SF-12 mental health component summary scores and PCL-S caseness, but not GHQ-12 caseness, differed significantly between Gulf War veterans and comparison group members who had been on at least one active deployment.Conclusions. More than a decade after the 1991 Gulf War, Australian Gulf War veterans are exhibiting higher levels of current (past month) psychological ill-health, as measured using the GHQ-12 and PCL-S, as well as lower mental health status, as measured by the SF-12, than the comparison group. Although not a replacement for formal psychiatric diagnosis, instruments such as those above may aid in the assessment of veterans' psychological health.
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Pidd, Ken, Vinita Duraisingam, Ann Roche, and Allan Trifonoff. "Young construction workers: substance use, mental health, and workplace psychosocial factors." Advances in Dual Diagnosis 10, no. 4 (November 20, 2017): 155–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/add-08-2017-0013.
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Purpose Young Australian workers are at elevated risk of mental health and alcohol and other drug related problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between alcohol and drug (AOD) use, psychological wellbeing, and the workplace psychosocial environment among young apprentices in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of a cohort of 169 construction industry apprentices in their first year of training was undertaken. The survey included measures of psychological distress (K10), quantity/frequency measures of alcohol and illicit drug use, and workplace psychosocial factors. Findings Construction industry apprentices are at elevated risk of AOD related harm and poor mental health. Levels of psychological distress and substance use were substantially higher than age/gender equivalent Australian population norms. Job stress, workplace bullying, and general social support accounted for 38.2 per cent of the variance in psychological distress. General social support moderated the effects of job stress and bullying on psychological distress. Substance use was not associated with psychological distress. However, workplace social support accounted for 2.1 per cent of the variance in AUDIT-C scores, and 2.0 per cent of the variance in cannabis use. Workplace bullying explained 2.4 per cent of the variance in meth/amphetamine use. Practical implications Construction trades apprentices are a high-risk group for harmful substance use and poor mental health. Study results indicate that psychosocial wellbeing interventions are warranted as a harm reduction strategy. Originality/value This is the first study of its kind to describe a cohort of Australian construction trade apprentices in terms of their substance use and psychological wellbeing. The study shows workplace psychosocial factors may predict young workers psychological wellbeing.
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Adhikari, Prabha M., Mukta N. Chowta, John T. Ramapuram, Satish B. Rao, Karthik Udupa, and Sahana D. Acharya. "Effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric symptoms and immune response in HIV-positive patients." Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice 07, no. 03 (July 2016): 362–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0976-3147.182774.
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ABSTRACT Background: Micronutrients such as B12 and folic acid deficiencies are found in higher number in HIV-infected patients. Objective: We conducted a study to examine the effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric manifestations, CD4 count, and anthropometric measurements in HIV-positive patients. Materials and Methods: Three different groups of HIV patients, namely, HIV patients with tuberculosis, HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations, and asymptomatic HIV patients with 50 patients in each group were included in the study. Baseline and follow-up CD4 count, anthropometric measurements, neuropsychiatric assessments, Vitamin B12, and folic acid estimation were done. Results: The prevalence of folic acid deficiency was 27.1% in Group I, 31.9% in Group II, and 23.4% in Group III. The prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency was 8.16% in Group I, 6.12% in Group II, and 4.16% in Group III. HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations were noted to have the lowest mean mini–mental score. After the supplementation of vitamins, anthropometric measurements, MMSE as well as Hamilton depression scores, improved in all the three groups whereas Hamilton anxiety scores improved only in Group III. The CD4 count also improved in Groups I and II after the supplementation of vitamins. Conclusion: Folic acid deficiency was highest among neuropsychiatric patients. The majority of people who had a folic acid deficiency have shown improvement in their neuropsychiatric assessment scores as well as CD4 count after its supplementation.
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Quinlivan, Julie A., Rodney W. Petersen, and Lyle C. Gurrin. "Adolescent Pregnancy: Psychopathology Missed." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 33, no. 6 (December 1999): 864–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.1999.00592.x.
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Objectives: Few data exist that explore the level of psychosocial problems and drug abuse in an Australian, adolescent, antenatal population. We set out to audit these data from a population of pregnant Western Australian adolescents. We also set out to examine whether social issues and the use of non-prescription drugs are routinely addressed in general public antenatal clinics. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients were involved in the prospective cohort study. In the assessed group, 100 consecutive patients from the King Edward Memorial Hospital Adolescent Antenatal Clinic were interviewed during the antenatal period to determine if any major psychosocial issues or a history of non-prescription drug abuse was present. The control group consisted of 60 adolescent patients who delivered in general antenatal clinics at three Perth metropolitan hospitals. Results: Sixty percent of the assessed group were identified as having a major psychosocial problem that interfered with their ability to carry out acts of daily living. Consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, heroin and solvents were higher than that reported for the general Australian adolescent population. Of note, in the control group, many patients did not have a social, psychological, or drug use history taken by their caregivers. Conclusion: Failure to identify psychosocial problems and drug abuse during the antenatal period will result in missed opportunities for positive intervention. These problems are common in this population and interventions are required to offer these women alternative foundations upon which to base their mothercraft skills.
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Priddis, Lynn E., Sarah Landy, Darren Moroney, and Robert Kane. "An Exploratory Study of Aggression in School-Age Children: Underlying Factors and Implications for Treatment." Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling 24, no. 1 (June 19, 2013): 18–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2013.12.
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Aggressive behaviour in school-aged children presents a significant challenge for society. If not managed, it can result in adverse academic, social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes for the child. In addition, it can create stress for families and become a significant burden for the community as these children reach adolescence and adulthood, and engage in antisocial behaviours. Using a three-step exploratory analytical strategy, this study explored parent and child reports of a diverse range of underlying developmental and clinical variables that have been identified in the literature as predictors of aggressive child behaviour, and which could be addressed within an Australian school or community context. A total of 57 children and their parents were recruited from a referral-based Western Australian child mental health service, and the wider community. A group of 31 clinically aggressive children were identified and compared to a group of 26 non-aggressive children. The aggressive group was reported as having a greater prevalence of internalising symptoms, including anxiety and depression, and their aggressive behaviour was more likely to be of the callous/unemotional type, relative to their non-aggressive counterparts. Significant predictors of belonging to the aggressive group included child social problems, thought problems, attention problems, affective problems, narcissism, symptoms of ADHD and PTS, and low maternal self-esteem. Findings are presented and discussed in the context of established theories. Recommendations for principles of treatment for aggressive children and their families are suggested.
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Davidson, Dennisa, and Lois Evans. "Virtual study groups and online Observed Structured Clinical Examinations practices – enabling trainees to enable themselves." Australasian Psychiatry 26, no. 4 (April 3, 2018): 429–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856218765886.
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Objectives: To explore online study groups as augmentation tools in preparing for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) for fellowship. Methods: An online survey of New Zealand trainees was carried out to assess exam preparedness and openness to virtual study groups and results analysed. Relevant material around virtual study groups for fellowship examinations was reviewed and used to inform a pilot virtual study group. Four New Zealand trainees took part in the pilot project, looking at using a virtual platform to augment OSCE preparation. Results: Of the 50 respondents 36% felt adequately prepared for the OSCE. Sixty-four per cent were interested in using a virtual platform to augment their study. Virtual study groups were noted to be especially important for rural trainees, none of whom felt able to form study groups for themselves. The pilot virtual study group was trialled successfully. All four trainees reported the experience as subjectively beneficial to their examination preparation. Conclusions: Virtual platforms hold promise as an augmentation strategy for exam preparation, especially for rural trainees who are more geographically isolated and less likely to have peers preparing for the same examinations.
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Lakeman, Richard, Andrew Cashin, John Hurley, and Tom Ryan. "The psychotherapeutic practice and potential of mental health nurses: an Australian survey." Australian Health Review 44, no. 6 (2020): 916. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah19208.
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ObjectiveMental health nurses (MHNs) have a long, under-recognised, history of engaging in psychotherapeutic practice across the spectrum of mental illness and mental health problems. There is a need for a psychotherapeutic response for people with complex or serious mental health problems within the stepped care model and in response to increased need for psychotherapeutic responses to COVID-19 and natural disasters. This project sought to identify the educational preparation and self-reported competency of MHNs to clinically undertake psychotherapy across the continuum of care. MethodsSituated within a larger mixed-methods study exploring how MHNs practice psychotherapy, adapt it to routine care and envisage the future, this paper reports the findings from a survey of MHNs regarding their educational preparation, experience and competence in modalities of psychotherapy and the application of psychotherapy with specific clinical groups. ResultsIn all, 153 MHNs responded to a request to participate in the study. In this cohort, 86% of nurses had postgraduate qualifications specific to psychotherapy and 95% had worked for over 10 years in the mental health field and had hundreds of hours of training in psychotherapy. There was a high level of self-reported competence in working with people with serious mental health problems and at-risk or vulnerable groups. ConclusionsCurrently, MHNs are not recognised in federal funding arrangements to procure psychotherapeutic intervention for members of the Australian population who require it. MHNs ought to be recognised as independent providers based on both the psychotherapeutic skills they possess and their specialist clinical skills of working with people across the spectrum of mental health problems. Appropriately qualified MHNs need to be funded to use their skills in psychotherapy via access to appropriate funding arrangements, such as Better Access and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. What is known about the topic?MHNs do not appear to be recognised as having postgraduate knowledge and skills in psychotherapy and other psychotherapeutic interventions. This lack of recognition has resulted in the Australian public being unable to access subsidised specialist psychotherapeutic services by this highly experienced group. Most published commentary has been around the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program, but, to date, scholarly work related to this program has not influenced public views and policy formation despite multiple favourable evaluations. What does this paper add?This study highlights that MHNs possess a largely unrecognised and valuable skill set in psychotherapy practice that they can adapt to work with people with complex needs. What are the implications to practitioners?MHNs possess skills and experience that, if recognised and funded, could be rapidly mobilised to improve consumer outcomes across the continuum of stepped care and in response to increased need during COVID-19.
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Mitchell, Brittany L., Katherine M. Kirk, Kerrie McAloney, Margaret J. Wright, Tracey A. Davenport, Daniel F. Hermens, James G. Scott, et al. "16Up: Outline of a Study Investigating Wellbeing and Information and Communication Technology Use in Adolescent Twins." Twin Research and Human Genetics 23, no. 6 (December 2020): 345–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/thg.2020.83.
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AbstractThe ‘16Up’ study conducted at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute from January 2014 to December 2018 aimed to examine the physical and mental health of young Australian twins aged 16−18 years (N = 876; 371 twin pairs and 18 triplet sets). Measurements included online questionnaires covering physical and mental health as well as information and communication technology (ICT) use, actigraphy, sleep diaries and hair samples to determine cortisol concentrations. Study participants generally rated themselves as being in good physical (79%) and mental (73%) health and reported lower rates of psychological distress and exposure to alcohol, tobacco products or other substances than previously reported for this age group in the Australian population. Daily or near-daily online activity was almost universal among study participants, with no differences noted between males and females in terms of frequency or duration of internet access. Patterns of ICT use in this sample indicated that the respondents were more likely to use online information sources for researching physical health issues than for mental health or substance use issues, and that they generally reported partial levels of satisfaction with the mental health information they found online. This suggests that internet-based mental health resources can be readily accessed by adolescent Australians, and their computer literacy augurs well for future access to online health resources. In combination with other data collected as part of the ongoing Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study, the 16Up project provides a valuable resource for the longitudinal investigation of genetic and environmental contributions to phenotypic variation in a variety of human traits.
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Byrne, G. J. A., and B. Raphael. "A longitudinal study of bereavement phenomena in recently widowed elderly men." Psychological Medicine 24, no. 2 (May 1994): 411–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291700027380.
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SynopsisA three-phase longitudinal design was used to study bereavement phenomena in a cohort (N = 78) of recently widowed elderly Australian men. One group of 57 widowers was compared with a second group of 21 widowers on a waiting list. A brief, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used to rate the frequency of 22 self-reported bereavement phenomena. The prevalence and temporal evolution of these phenomena are described. Half of a subgroup of elderly widowers reporting high levels of bereavement phenomena at 6 weeks post-bereavement went on to exhibit persistent or chronic grief at 13 months post-bereavement. The prevalence of persistent or chronic grief throughout the first 13 months post-bereavement was 8·8%. Income, education and expectedness of the death were all negatively correlated with frequency of self-reported bereavement phenomena at 6 weeks post-bereavement. In a multiple regression analysis only expectedness of the death contributed significantly to prediction of the frequency of bereavement phenomena at 6 weeks post-bereavement. Widowers who were unable to anticipate their wife's death, even when their wife had suffered a long final illness, had a more severe bereavement reaction.
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Lien, On. "Attitudes of the Vietnamese Community towards Mental Illness." Australasian Psychiatry 1, no. 3 (August 1993): 110–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10398569309081340.
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There are approximately 155,000 Vietnamese born people in Australia, with 46,000 in Victoria. The majority came to Australia as refugees. Many were subjected to the reality or threat of war, persecution, imprisonment, discrimination, economic deprivation, violence, the loss of family or other major stressors. These stressors have included the hazards of the escape, lengthy stays in refugee camps and, on arrival in Australia, lack of familiarity with English and with the culture. The Vietnamese Community in Australia was expected to have a high prevalence of mental illness, especially when newly arrived from refugee camps. In a study published in 1986 as “The Price of Freedom” [1] 32% of the young Vietnamese adult group was found to suffer from psychiatric disorder. At follow-up two years later, the prevalence of psychiatric disorder, without any major intervention, had dropped to 5–6%, a prevalence lower than that in the Australian-born community. In addition, the Vietnamese community's use of mental health services (inpatient and community-based) is lower than that of any other ethnic group.