Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Honours; Psychology'
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Johnson, Kim. "Perceptions of community psychology among Honours/BPsych students in the Western Cape." Thesis, Link to online version, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/555.
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Paris, Natasha Lynn. "The subjective experiences of Psychology Honours students enrolled at a faith-based institution." University of the Western Cape, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6898.
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Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych)The demand for study places in Honours courses in Psychology far exceeds the available places in courses at government-funded universities. Private institutions are increasingly offering such courses to address the need for enrolment and to capitalize on a market niche. Students who are unsuccessful at mainstream universities might apply for courses at private institutions, even those offered at faith-based universities regardless of their personal spiritual beliefs and values. There is a clear gap in the literature exploring the experiences of students enrolled at faith-based private institutions. The study attempted to gain insight into the subjective experiences of students enrolled in a Psychology Honours programme at a faith-based institution in the Western Cape. The proposed study incorporated an exploratory research design and employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data from a purposively selected sample and transcripts were subjected to a content analysis. Data collection and analysis occurred in parallel until reaching the threshold number. Ethics clearance and project registration was obtained from the UWC Senate Research committee and all relevant ethics principles were upheld. The findings indicated that faith based institutions are not homogenous and that students enrolled at faith based institutions are respectively not homogenous. Findings further indicate that alignment does exist between the core values of participants and their discipline choice, and not that participants‘ faith beliefs were necessarily aligned with that of the institution.
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Isakow, Haley. "Exploring career choice negotiation among psychology honours students." Thesis, 2014.
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The primary aim of the research was to examine the ways in which Psychology Honours students interactionally made sense of their career choices. In addition, the research examined how these students interactionally made sense of psychology as a discipline and field of study, particularly in the context of discussions of career choices. The participants were selected for inclusion into the study (through purposive sampling) if they were currently in their psychology honours year. An interview schedule that contained open-ended questions and prompts was used to guide the focus groups. The findings showed that the participants were contextually creating meanings of career choice and psychology as seen by the acknowledged, additive or at times challenged responses, statements, descriptions etc. in the focus groups. Further research could be performed on students from other disciplines to see if the meanings of ‘psychology’ and ‘career choice’ vary or are similar across disciplines. This would provide the field of psychology with a better understanding of how it is perceived and might provide some constructs that have not been considered yet, with regards to career
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Le, Vu Kym. "Exploring anti-asexual bias and future clinical contact intentions with asexual people among undergraduate psychology students." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131215.
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This item is only available electronically.Asexuality is defined as a lack of sexual attraction, which is believed to exist within 0.4 – 1.05% of the general population. In order to provide culturally competent and safe care, mental health professionals must assess their attitudes and biases towards asexual people. Although attitudes towards asexual people have been investigated among the general population and in a sample of university students, there has been little research on the attitudes held by mental health professionals. This thesis investigates undergraduate psychology students, as future mental health professionals, on their attitudes towards asexual people. The main aims were to determine demographic predictors and potential correlates of anti-asexual bias. Furthermore, we investigated how the predictors of anti-asexual bias affects students’ willingness to engage in future clinical work with asexual people. The study recruited 231 participants from undergraduate psychology programs to complete an online survey assessing their attitudes towards asexual people, bias against singles, and gender ideologies. In addition, participants rated how comfortable and confident they felt about working with asexual people within mental health settings in the future. Participants who reported greater endorsement of traditional gender role ideology, and negative bias against singles, also reported greater levels of anti-asexual bias. Participants who reported lower levels of anti-asexual bias rated higher levels of comfort and confidence in future clinical contact with asexual people. Drawing on these findings, this thesis concludes by discussing the implications of anti-asexual bias in clinical settings and the provision of culturally safe and affirmative care for asexual people.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Kirsch, Alexander. "Investigating the employment outcomes, student satisfaction, and self-perceived development of graduate attributes in Adelaide University Psychology Graduates." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131209.
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This item is only available electronically.The undergraduate psychology degree has become one of the most popular degrees in tertiary education as of late. In an environment where universities are being increasingly held accountable for the relative success of their students, pedagogical research into the outcomes and development of psychology graduates is critical, especially as psychology graduates tend to fare poorly within the job market. This current study aims to contribute to the growing literature on this population, investigating the self-perceived development of graduate attributes, student satisfaction, and employment outcomes of undergraduate psychology students from the University of Adelaide. Through a sample of 67 psychology graduates (n = 27 bachelor’s graduates, n = 40 honours graduates), participants completed a set of Likert scale questions relating to the self-perceived development of the University of Adelaide’s established graduate attributes. Their overall satisfaction, employment, and degree relevancy, were also gathered for analysis. Low-levels of employment relevancy, and degree utility, were found in the early employment outcomes of these undergraduates. High levels of self-perceived attribute development and satisfaction were also found, and self-perceived development was strongly correlated with student satisfaction. Differences in self-perceived development, as well as employment outcomes and satisfaction, were also observed between the two graduate types, illustrating a number of advantages that the honours degree provides over the conventional major. Suggestions for future research were made, and the implications of these results were discussed in the context of prior research.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Ang, Ser Yee. "Understanding Medication Adherence in Men with Chronic Conditions Using the Andersen Behavioural Model." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131016.
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This item is only available electronically.Chronic illnesses have a huge impact on health outcomes and cause disease burden. Although better adherence to medication has been found to associate with better health outcome and reduce disease burden, the level of adherence can be influenced by an individual’s socio-environmental factors. However, as little studies have used a framework model to understand medication adherence, this study aims to use the Andersen Behavioural Model to explain medication adherence. The Andersen Behavioural Model is a theoretical framework which is able to demonstrates the effects of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in predicting medication adherence. Data used in this cross-sectional study are taken from the longitudinal Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS) that began in 2002. A total of 447 male participants aged 47 to 92 were recruited in this study, who completed the 2015-2016 FAMAS follow-up questionnaire. The associations between factors in the Andersen Behaviour Model and medication adherence were analysed. The proxy measure used for medication adherence is the number of medication taken. While several associations between the Andersen Behavioural Model and medication adherence were significant, some were not. The significant associations were then analysed using a multiple regression model, to demonstrate the relationship between the significant variables and medication adherence after adjusting for covariates. Findings of this study show that the level of adherence can be influenced by a number of factors of the individuals, such as age, individual beliefs, and number of chronic conditions. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future studies were provided.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Bradshaw, Thomas. "Trait-level Predictors of Objectification in Heterosexual Men." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131102.
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This item is only available electronically.Sexual objectification is a problem routinely faced by nearly all Australian women, yet little work has been done to understand the traits of heterosexual men who are most likely to objectify women. Sexual objectification occurs when a woman’s sexual parts or functions are separated from the rest of her personhood for either use or to replace her identity. Experiencing sexual objectification is associated with increased body shame and eating disorder symptoms, and has been experimentally linked to reduced cognitive performance. The present study aimed to determine the strongest trait-level predictors of sexually objectifying behaviours and attitudes in heterosexual men. 164 heterosexual adult males completed a short online survey which measured traits including aggression, empathy, hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, and desire for power, as well as a measure of interpersonal sexual objectification (both behaviours and attitudes). This study also considered, as a secondary aim, the relationship between dehumanisation and objectification. Higher levels of sexual objectification perpetration were associated with lower levels of empathy, lower agreeableness, lower openness, increased hostile and benevolent sexism, increased aggression, and an increased desire to have power over others. Regression analyses indicated that hostile sexism and affective empathy explained unique variance in the prediction of sexual objectification. Results also indicated that animalistic dehumanisation of women was associated with sexual objectification of women. This research is an early, but nonetheless necessary, steppingstone in the development of interventions to help reduce sexual objectification in Australian society.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Todd, Mikaela. "The Relationship between Connectedness to Nature in Childhood and Pro-Environmental Behaviour: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133956.
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This item is only available electronically.Children are not only the most vulnerable to the current degradation of the natural environment but are the ones left to restore the natural world. Yet, children are progressively having less direct contact with nature, potentially creating disconnection with the natural world and reduction in commitment to protecting it. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesise the literature on childhood nature connection to better determine its influence on pro-environmental behaviours. Twenty-four studies with a pooled sample of 8,564 children and youth were identified from seven databases. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches were included and quality assessed. The included studies consistently reported a positive relationship between childhood nature connection and pro-environmental behaviour, but incorporated a wide range of assessment methods, as well as covered a broad age and geographical range. Effect sizes were calculated for the relationship between connection to nature and pro-environmental behaviour amongst the sixteen eligible quantitative studies. Using random-effects modelling, connection to nature in childhood was found to have a large effect in influencing pro-environmental behaviour. However, significant heterogeneity suggests limitations in drawing conclusions from the results and reinforces the need for better standardisation of measures. Subgroup analyses show the effect was present across the entire age range, despite being stronger in younger children. Also, the effect appears to be universal, although not all global regions were represented in the meta-analysis. Overall, the findings suggest that the development of pro-environmental behaviour is strongly related to the connection one feels with nature during childhood.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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Monteath, Alexander David Nettelbeck. "Cleverness, contentiousness, creativity and curiosity. A meta-analytic investigation of predictors of academic performance." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128939.
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This item is only available electronically.Intelligence and conscientiousness have long been recognised as key predictors of academic performance, but only account for about half of the variance in academic performance (von Stumm et al., 2011). Another factor that has shown promise as a potential predictor of academic performance is intellectual curiosity: the desire to acquire new knowledge (Berlyne, 1954). However, this relationship has arguably not been well established. One measure of intellectual curiosity that remains relatively unexplored is Need for Cognition (NFC), which measures the desire to engage in effortful cognitive activity (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982). NFC has been measured together with academic performance with varied findings. The present meta-analysis explores relationships between NFC, academic performance and other predictors of academic performance: namely, intelligence, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. A correlation matrix is derived from 63 studies measuring NFC and one or more of the relevant predictor variables. Structural equation modelling has explored the magnitude and significance of associations between the variables of interest. While moderately correlated with academic performance, NFC is not a significant predictor. This finding suggests that intellectual curiosity may not be such a significant predictor of academic performance as previous research has suggested.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Chawla, Shagun. "The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Based Interventions for Depression in Women with Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129129.
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This item is only available electronically.Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Depressive symptoms, common during non-metastatic breast cancer, can be overlooked and therefore, undertreated. Researchers have previously evaluated the efficacy of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in treating depression in breast cancer patients. However, research investigating the short- and longer-term effectiveness of CBT-based interventions (CBT-BI) in a comprehensive manner is limited, with study quality seldom examined. To address this gap, this meta-analysis searched six electronic databases, identifying six randomised controlled trials (RCT) that examined the effectiveness of CBT-BI for depression in women with non-metastatic breast cancer (Nparticipants = 710). Standardised mean differences between intervention and control groups on self-report depression measures were calculated. Results highlighted that short-term CBT-BI (Hedge’s g = -1.215), particularly individual CBT-BI (Hedge’s g = -1.999), significantly reduced depression in comparison to control groups, while group CBT-BI demonstrated a medium but non-significant effect (Hedge’s g = -.578). CBT-BI also decreased depression levels at three-month follow-up, however, this effect was not maintained at six- and 12-month follow-up. Additionally, quality of included studies was explored in terms of risk of bias, study quality, intervention description, and researcher allegiance, and was found to be of moderate quality. A thorough investigation of CBT-BI, such as conducted in the current research, encourages evidence-based practice by allowing clinicians to more accurately gauge the efficacy of such interventions in treating depression amongst this population, thus, facilitating the development of optimal treatment protocols to improve clinical practices.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Stanisavljevic, Tamara. "University Students’ Threat Perceptions, Mental Health and Well-Being, Hope and Academic Performance." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131290.
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This item is only available electronically.University is known to be a stressful period which has been associated with negative mental health and well-being outcomes. In an already vulnerable population, stress may be compounded by the fear of threatening world events. Threat perceptions too have been linked to maladaptive psychological outcomes, particularly among young people (18 – 24 years). Although this population is one of the most affected, it is also significantly under-researched. This project explores perceptions of threatening world events and predictors of academic achievement within the context of a first-year undergraduate cohort (N = 108). Participants were aged between 18 – 21 years (M = 18.7, SD = 0.87). They completed an online questionnaire which consisted of: a newly developed self-report scale assessing perceptions of threatening world events, and measures of psychological ill-being, well-being, the stress response, and trait hope. Quantitative analyses included Exploratory Factor Analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression and relative importance regression analyses. The construct validity of the newly developed scale was inconclusive, but two out of the three extracted subscales had good internal reliability. A main finding of the study was that psychological health was tied into students’ pessimism about threatening world events and the negative affect they experienced. Psychological well-being and trait hope were associated with more effective coping with threat. The present study gives insight into how University students are perceiving and coping with threatening world events and provides the groundwork for understanding the support they require in this arena.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Dellavia, Luka. "The Impact of Time Outdoors on Pro-Environmental Behaviours as a Function of Child and Teacher Connectedness to Nature." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133192.
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This item is only available electronically.Amongst children, spending time in nature plays an important role in establishing a desire to protect the environment, however may be dependent on the development of a connection towards the nature they spend time in. As a result of increased urbanisation, children are becoming increasingly distant from nature—both physically and cognitively. Therefore, future global conservation may be reliant on children forming meaningful connections to nature as a result of outdoor engagement. Given the importance of early role models, and extensive time spent in educational settings, teachers may also play an important part in developing this connection to nature in children. Using survey responses from 352 Australian primary school students, mediation analysis was used to determine if nature connection is an underlying mechanism in the relationship between spending time outdoors and pro-environmental behaviours. Further, within a sub-sample of 62 students and 44 teachers, we explored whether the level of teacher nature connectedness acts as a moderator of this mediation relationship. The results showed that developing a connection to nature partially mediated a relationship between spending time in nature and pro-environmental behaviours. Despite teacher nature connection predicting child connectedness, the smaller model was not able to replicate the initial mediation pathway. Early connection to nature as a consequence of time spent outdoors appears to play an important role in promoting pro-environmental behaviour in children. These results have important implications for global conservation, and suggest that the education setting may provide a convenient context for meaningful nature experiences to be fostered.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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McKinlay, Kate. "Digital resources for pain management: Psychologists’ perspectives and suggestions." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129285.
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This item is only available electronically.Chronic pain is a worldwide epidemic, with challenges pertaining to its high prevalence, complexity, management, psychosocial impact and economic impact. Due to the rarity of a cure for chronic pain, and a lack of access to in-person pain management services, there is a need for improving the accessibility of pain management options. Therefore, there has been growing interest towards the development and use of digital resources. These resources aim to promote an independent and self-management approach to living with chronic pain. They can be accessed through computers and electronic hand-held devices, as information websites, applications (apps), pain programs, and social support forums. There is limited research pertaining to client and health professional perspectives in this area. Furthermore, to date, there is no literature detailing psychologists’ attitudes and perspectives, which is a noteworthy gap due to their involvement in the development of digital resources and their integral role in pain management. Using thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with eight registered psychologists, this study aimed to explore psychologists’ perspectives of and suggestions regarding digital resources for pain management. Six overarching themes and their respective sub-themes were identified, indicating that digital resources are perceived as useful, although difficulties were identified pertaining to digital social support and client-decision making, with various perceived barriers and facilitators towards digital resource use (categorised by accessibility and support). Participants made suggestions about what an ideal digital resource would incorporate for pain management. These findings may inform the modification of existing resources, and formulation of additional appropriate and tailored co-designed digital resources for the management of chronic pain.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Do, Brianna. "Can biographical information bias decision-making when determining whether two people are siblings?" Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129134.
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This item is only available electronically.Previous literature has demonstrated that it is a difficult task for individuals to use faces to detect relatedness, regardless of whether it is a sibling or familial relationship. To make this task easier for the decision maker, it makes sense to provide them with some supplementary information. However, past studies also suggest that this additional information can bias the decision outcome. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the impact of providing limited biographical information (such as name and date of birth) on human decision making. Using a within–subjects repeated measures design, participants (N = 49) were required to complete 144 sibling determination trials, where they had to look at two faces and determine whether they were siblings or not. There were three experimental conditions: (1) no biographical information, (2) correct biographical information, and (3) incorrect biographical information. The data were analysed using ANOVA and t-tests. Overall, sibling determinations were typically slowest, and made with less confidence and accuracy when incorrect biographical information was provided. However, when correct biographical information was provided, performance did not always significantly improve when compared with no biographical information given. Consistent with previous literature, the results also suggest that it is harder to declare that two people are siblings than it is to declare they are not. These findings can benefit a range of government agencies that have to make decisions based on facial imagery. Furthermore, with more diverse and publically available databases that are sibling-specific, future research in this field can be enhanced.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Price-Brooks, Tessa. "The Impact of Surgically Diagnosed Endometriosis on Family and Friend Relationships and Social Engagement." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131227.
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This item is only available electronically.Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects at least 10% of women of reproductive age. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, bladder and/or bowel problems, and infertility. Nearly 95% of women with endometriosis live with at least one comorbid illness, including depression or anxiety. These factors can have a profound impact on a woman’s ability to participate socially. The social impact of endometriosis has been largely under-examined by researchers. The current study seeks to explore this gap in knowledge by using a mixed methods approach to examinine a number of women’s own statements regarding the impact that endometriosis has had on their family and friend relationships and their ability to engage at social events. Inductive content analyses were conducted on short answer questions (n= 993) to create a numerical count of positive, neutral, and negative statements that women made about the impact endometriosis has had on their relationships and engagement at social events. The statements were largely negative (n=2089), with far fewer neutral (n=164) or positive (n=345) responses. From this the Impact Statement Score (ISS) was created, a measure used to quantify the impacts of endometriosis. The relationship between the ISS and the participants’ (n=331) demographic, clinical, and endometriosis-specific characteristics were analysed. Standard multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the influence a number of variables have on the ISS. This analysis of the ways endometriosis impacts on family and friend relationships and engagement at social events will deepen our understanding of the way endometriosis affects women’s lives.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Kenyon, Katherine Hope. "The influence of typeface fluency on simple sentence encoding as measured through spectral power analysis." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128854.
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This item is only available electronically.Previous research has shown that typeface fluency has an impact on the encoding and processing of written texts. Specifically, less fluent letters and words appear to be processed more deeply and remembered more accurately. To date, there is limited research regarding the mechanisms by which typeface fluency impacts on the encoding of full sentences. Therefore, this study aimed to expand on this research by focusing on the way it can be applied to the encoding of full sentences. Participants were asked to memorise simple sentences presented in either a fluent or disfluent typeface. Electroencephalography was used to record the changes in spectral power during the learning phase in order to determine the level of encoding success. Following a period of distraction, an audio-presented recall task was used to assess recall accuracy. Fluency was found to be associated with changes in alpha power at learning. Further, alpha power significantly differed between the parietal and occipital regions of the brain but did not show any reaction with fluency. Due to performance ceiling effects, these findings could not be associated with memory outcomes. This research is especially relevant to education, as much of the information presented in schooling is digitally presented text. Keywords: electroencephalography, spectral power, typeface fluency, language encoding, typography
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Smith, Joel D. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Brief Interventions for Reducing Antenatal Alcohol Consumption." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133951.
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This item is only available electronically.Antenatal alcohol consumption increases risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is recommended that pregnant women abstain from alcohol, though 14.5% of pregnant Australians are reported not to. Screening and brief interventions, which involve single, short therapeutic sessions to motivate behaviour change, are recommended for treatment of antenatal alcohol consumption. However, limited evidentiary support for the practice, reports of poor clinical applicability, and the lack of existing meta-analyses of patterns of use data raise concerns about whether these recommendations are justified. This meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of ≤60-minute single-session brief interventions on reducing alcohol consumption frequency, quantity, and abstinence outcomes in pregnant women screened positive for alcohol use. Seven databases were searched to yield 15716 records. Nine studies were included for review, and eight for analysis. Exclusions were made for polydrug and multi-session screening or interventions. Frequency and quantity outcomes were assessed using Hedges’ g values and abstinence outcomes using odds ratios. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were conducted on potential predictors of effectiveness. Random-effects models were employed. Significant effects in favour of intervention were observed only for meta-analyses of abstinence outcomes. However, no results were deemed clinically significant due to the limited number of studies viable for analysis and their notable risks of bias. Imprecision and high risk of publication biases were also identified. Existing healthcare recommendations were therefore not validated and a need for further research with more consistent methodologies was identified. How research consistently, quality, and ethicality could be improved in future studies is discussed, with a framework provided.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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A'court, Jaimi. "Barriers and facilitators to accessing Autism Spectrum Disorder services: A thematic analysis of the experiences of newly arrived families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/103416.
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This item is only available electronically.Families who are newly arrived in Australia and are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) face unique challenges navigating the Australian healthcare system and accessing services. It is well established in the literature that conceptualisations of mental health vary according to cultural background, which presents unique challenges to service providers in countries such as Australia. However there is limited literature on these population’s experiences accessing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) intervention services in their new country. This qualitative study aimed to explore cultural understandings of ASD among newly arrived families with CALD backgrounds, as well as the barriers and facilitators to accessing ASD intervention services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 healthcare professionals currently practicing across Australia, specializing in ASD services. Thematic analysis identified six main themes including ‘culture impacts definitions and understandings of ASD, ‘culture may impact a range of clinical processes’, ‘being newly arrived to Australia impacts access to ASD services’, ‘interpreters are essential for service delivery when providing ASD services to newly arrived families with CALD backgrounds’, ‘cultural competency is essential for service delivery’ and ‘relationship developing is central to optimising the effectiveness of ASD service provision’. It is anticipated that the results will address gaps in the literature and inform culturally competent practice for healthcare practitioners providing ASD service to clients with CALD backgrounds who are newly arrived in Australia.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2016
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Mastrangelo, Melody. "The Impact of Surgically Diagnosed Symptomatic Endometriosis on Women’s Social Lives." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128937.
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This item is only available electronically.Endometriosis is a women’s health condition affecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and is associated with negative physical and psychological symptoms. Endometriosis occurs where presence of endometrial-like tissue is located in places outside of the uterus, causing an inflammatory response. This study utilised a concurrent mixed method approach to address two research aims. The first aim was to investigate the impact of surgically diagnosed symptomatic endometriosis on women’s social lives, specifically, family and friend relationships, work, education, attendance at social events, leisure activities and general household tasks. The second aim intended to compare clinical characteristics of the study population to normative adult populations. Participants (18-55 years; N = 970) completed an online survey containing demographic and open-ended questions and three short-form measures; the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), Short-Form Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-5) and World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (WHOQoL-BREF). Qualitative analysis detected negative impacts on women’s social lives with few positive impacts. Quantitative analyses established a significant result (p=<0.01) in all subscale mean scores excluding two EHP-5 subscales, indicating that the study population is significantly different to normative adult populations demonstrating higher levels of psychological distress, lower health status and reduced quality of life.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Roberts, Blai. "Effects of Gender and Culture on Jury Perception of Provocation Defence In Intimate Partner Violence." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131283.
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This item is only available electronically.How people attribute blame in incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important research question, with legal Defences involving the use of provocation being successful in reducing the severity of sentences in Australian courts. We conducted a mock jury study that examines how manipulating the gender and culture of perpetrators and victims effects the application of the Provocation Defence (PD). Previous research has indicated that tenants of identity, such as gender and race, might be relevant to how people are judged. However, research into the relationship between gender of actors and the PD was inconclusive. The aims of this project are; 1) Investigate how the culture and gender of perpetrators and victims of domestic’s violence affect the acceptance/ rejection of the PD, and 2) Investigate how the application of the PD interacts with attitudes toward gender and culture. The strength and direction of relationships between PD measures and gender and culture manipulations are analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Measures of attitude, which might be considered covariates, are also examined for relationship direction and strength. Additionally, measures of attitude towards culture, the Multiculturalism Color-Blind Scale (MCBS) and Race-Related Attitudes and Multiculturalism Scale (RRAMS), are compared. The results were non-significant across the board with the exception of measures of construct validity on the MCBS and RRAMS. However there was a pattern to the responses on the PD measure which reflects some of the trends described by the literature on juror perception of behaviour and blame attribution.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Pietsch, Simon. "An Experimental Test of the Effects of Goal Types on Creative Performance." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131225.
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This item is only available electronically.Objectives: One key tenant of goal setting theory is that specific and challenging goals are most adaptive for optimal functioning. However, goals which are non-specific and exploratory, referred to as ‘open goals’, may actually be preferred in particular circumstances. As this evidence is limited, I aimed to experimentally test the direct and moderated effects of open goals on creative performance, when compared to do-your-best (DYB) and SMART goals. Second, I aimed to test the equivalence between two types of vaguely defined goals; open and DYB goals. Design: 3 (between-groups: SMART, DYB, open goals) x 2 (within-groups: pre- and post-intervention) experimental design. Method: Participants (N = 247, Mage = 30.41) with no cognitive impairments completed the alternate use task (AUT) as a proxy for creative performance before and after goal manipulation. Proposed moderators of the effects of goal types on creative performance were measured prior to participants’ random assignment to one of three goal conditions. Results: There were no meaningful differences in creative performance when focused on SMART, DYB and open goals. Only goal commitment significantly moderated the effect of goal types on creative performance, such that participants who self-reported greater goal commitment produced a significantly higher number of creative ideas when using a DYB goal compared to SMART and open goals. The effect of DYB and open goals on creative performance were not statistically equivalent. Conclusion: These findings extend the evidence base for goal setting, casting doubt that specific, challenging goals are most adaptive for human behaviour across contexts.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Mellowship, Rachel. "Stereotypy and the reinforcement of play behaviour in Asian small clawed Otters (Aonyx cinerea)." Thesis, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/104858.
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Gecz, Ellen. "The Impact of Major Depressive Disorder on the Academic Achievement of Australian Adolescents." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133193.
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This item is only available electronically.Academic achievement attained by adolescents is important for future career success as well as personal and social growth. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has the potential to adversely affect both academic outcomes and personal development. This thesis investigated the association between MDD and academic achievement in Australian adolescents. The thesis analysed de-identified data describing 13 to 15 year old’s, who participated in the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (n=1077), undertaken in 2013 to 2015. Academic achievement was assessed using linked National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) scores of the students, and MDD was assessed using parent reports from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children version IV (DISC-IV). It was hypothesised that adolescents with MDD would have lower levels of academic achievement, and a higher percentage of days absent from school. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to assess the strength of the association between MDD and NAPLAN scores, and to identify if the association was modified by school absence. Although limited by a small number of participants with MDD, there was some evidence to support these hypotheses. The results suggested that adolescents aged 13 to 15 years with MDD may be more susceptible to lower academic outcomes, and higher school absence, as compared to their peers. The results contribute to the awareness and understanding of the association between MDD and academic achievement at a national scale.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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Deery, Maeve. "Does the combination of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea place children at greater risk of executive function impairment?" Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131174.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects 1.2% to 5.7% of children. It is characterised by upper airway collapse during sleep, resulting in oxygen desaturation, and sleep fragmentation leading to cognitive impairment. There is evidence in the literature to suggest that OSA in children can lead to a deficit in executive function (EF), and recent evidence suggests this effect might be intensified in children who are also overweight. Obesity is considered to be an independent risk factor for OSA in children, and preceding evidence suggests that obesity itself is an independent contributor to cognitive impairment. However, the moderating influences of body mass index (BMI) on EF has not yet been fully elucidated in children with OSA. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity in children, an objective understanding of the impact of body mass on EF in children with OSA is necessary. This was a retrospective case study involving 176 children (7 to 9 years of age) who were evaluated for OSA using polysomnography between January 2008 and September 2011. Participants were stratified into four groups: treated/normal-weight (n = 27, BMI < 85th percentile), treated/overweight (n = 58, BMI > = 85th percentile), untreated/normal-weight (n = 36, BMI < 85th percentile) and untreated/overweight (n = 55, BMI > = 85th percentile). The children also underwent neurocognitive assessment (BRIEF & NEPSY) which was administered at baseline and re-administered after 7 months, and after treatment by adenotonsillectomy in the treatment groups. Scores for measures of EF were compared across groups to determine the relative contribution of body mass to executive function in children with OSA. Results revealed that BMI was a predictor of EF outcome in the BRIEF subtest Organisation of Materials only. Furthermore, no association was found between Organisation of Materials and OSA severity of OAHI, AI, ODI and minimum oxygen saturation.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Askarirad, Toloue. "Do intelligence and personality traits influence ASMR perception?" Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128764.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.The Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is an atypical perceptual sensory condition in which the presence of specific audiovisual stimuli triggers pleasant static-like tingles in the crown of the head and the back of the neck region that might extend down to other body parts. Individuals who experience ASMR have reported its use to reduce chronic pain, stress, anxiety, alter their mood, aid with insomnia, and as a form of alternative medicine. It is important to explore whether intelligence and personality traits influence these sensory perceptions, to provide the bases for appropriate usage and the types of individuals whom it may be beneficial for. This research aimed to explore whether intelligence and personality traits, with a focus on Neuroticism and Openness to Experience, can predict whether individuals use or perceive ASMR and how these attributes may influence ASMR perception. N = 262 individuals were recruited and completed intelligence measures, broad and facet specific personality trait measures, watched six ASMR inducing videos, and custom ASMR experience questionnaire. We found that 42% of participants who used ASMR did so for relaxation. We concluded that Openness and Neuroticism domains and sub-facets along with CAB can predict the usage and intensity of ASMR perception.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Murray, Amber. "Factors Associated with Pregnancy-Related Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129095.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.The experience of general anxiety is common during pregnancy. However, research suggests that anxiety experienced during pregnancy is less generalised and more specific. This form of anxiety is known as Pregnancy-Related Anxiety (PrA). Research consistently supports the notion that PrA is a distinct anxiety disorder but poor conceptual understanding remains a challenge to the knowledge in this field. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore prevalence of PrA and pregnancy-related factors associated with levels of PrA. A systematic search of four electronic databases was conducted (PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Embase). A total of 18 primary studies, consisting of 10,177 participants were included in the final analyses. Nine analyses were conducted including: prevalence of high rates of PrA by proportions, and standardised mean differences of pregnancy trimesters, parity, method of conception and history of pregnancy loss. Results found that 14.1% of women experienced high levels of PrA. They were also suggestive that nulliparous women and those with a history of pregnancy loss may be likely to experience higher levels of PrA. Further research is recommended to allow for better understanding of the prevalence of PrA and its associated factors, and to enable better support programs to be provided to women during the prenatal period. Keywords: pregnancy-related anxiety; pregnancy-specific anxiety; parity; spontaneous conception; assisted reproduction; pregnancy loss
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Halliday, Sarah. "The future of treating atypical depression: Exploring the role of Social Identity Theory in group-CBT." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129141.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Atypical depression (AD) is an overlooked and under-researched form of depression, with little to no research exploring the wide range of non-medication treatment options available. The lack of research in this area is concerning as evidence indicates that symptoms associated with AD include a longer and more severe depressive episode and a greater risk of suicidal behaviour than compared with the more traditional, melancholic depression (Weinstock et al., 2011). To ensure that providers are delivering the best form of intervention, it is essential to explore every treatment option. The present study sought to explore the efficacy of group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) on treating AD, with a focus on whether features of social identity theory have an influence during the group-intervention process. In this mixed-method study, participants (N=18) underwent a 10-week group intervention aimed to address issues associated with AD, with data collected pre-intervention, two-week post intervention, and 3-months post intervention to assess the effectiveness of the program. Feedback forms and interviews were undertaken and evaluated to explore whether there was a presence of social identity theory. Results revealed that the intervention significantly reduced depression levels and increased self-esteem levels in participants, indicating that group-CBT is an effective form of intervention for those with AD. Qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis, where themes aligning with social identity theory emerged, indicating that features of this theory may have influenced participants’ experiences and signified the importance that a positive group dynamic had in the outcome. This study offers a critical insight into the effectiveness of group-CBT, and provides an alternative and successful treatment option for those who experience AD.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Cearns, Micah Linton. "Within-Category Feature Correlations and the Curse of Dimensionality." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/134452.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Within the domain of category learning, the curse of dimensionality states that as categories acquire more features, the size of the feature space and thus the number of examples necessary to adequately learn the category grows rapidly. As a result, category learning should be a highly difficult task. However, people learn to classify categories with ease. The primary aim of the current study was to address how people overcome this problem by determining if they were attuned to information about which features were correlated with each other, and whether or not they used this information as an indication that those features were relevant for categorisation. In theory, this would then allow for the detection of natural category family resemblance structure in highly dimensional environments, and subsequently, allow human learners to overcome the curse of dimensionality. In addition to this primary aim, and under the assumption that people were attuned to this correlational structure, a number of secondary hypotheses were also proposed. These hypotheses assessed both feature and correlation learning, evaluated relative category learning improvement as a function of dimensionality between conditions, as well as compared human performance to a Naïve Bayes model that was inherently incapable of detecting any correlational structure. The results of the current study suggest that people do not utilise within-category feature correlational structure as a heuristic for category predictive feature detection. However, these findings were contingent on a number of methodological shortcomings present in the current study. Directions for future research are proposed that provide clear methodological changes in category structure which may mitigate the lack of support found for the proposed hypotheses.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2017
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Brown, Jessica. "The Placebo Effect and Exercise: Testing the Mind-Set Matters Hypothesis in an Everyday Context." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/103504.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.This study aimed to replicate and extend earlier findings relating to potential placebo effects in exercise. Prior research found that when workers were encouraged to view their job as physically demanding they perceived themselves to be getting greater levels of exercise than before, and experienced positive physical health changes despite actual activity levels not changing (Crum & Langer, 2007). These results suggest that expectations play a critical role in the outcomes associated with physical activities, and therefore that health benefits derived from exercise may be due, at least partially, to a placebo effect. In the current study participants (N = 68) were randomised to either the ‘informed’ group (n = 34), who received information on how their current level of housework and gardening qualified as exercise; or the control group (n = 34), who received an equal amount of information on a neutral topic. Perceptions of current exercise participation, and measures of physiological and psychological wellbeing, were taken at baseline and four weeks’ post-intervention. Contrary to hypotheses, both the informed and control groups perceived themselves to be getting more exercise at follow-up. The informed group did not experience significantly greater reductions in weight, body fat percentage or blood pressure than the control at follow-up, nor an increase in positive affect. The current study therefore found no compelling evidence to support earlier research suggesting that changing people’s mind-sets surrounding their current activities will result in meaningful health changes, and therefore no compelling evidence suggesting a placebo effect in exercise.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2016
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Prentice, Shaun M. L. "What extinguishes the flame? A meta-analytic investigation of correlates of burnout in medical trainees." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129339.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Background: Burnout, a work-related psychological syndrome, is highly prevalent in medical trainees. Burnout is associated with deleterious outcomes for the individual practitioner; their colleagues, patients and workplace; and broader society. Designing burnout prevention and reduction interventions for this population is therefore critical. However, burnout research with medical trainees is characterised by different conceptualisations and operationalisations of this complex construct, producing inconsistent findings. Aims: To examine individual and work-related correlates of burnout, as defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, in medical trainees. Methods: Thirty-three studies, comprising a pooled sample of 7,229 trainees, were identified from a systematic search of the Embase, PsycInfo, Medline, ERIC and Cochrane Library databases. Study reporting quality was examined using the QualSyst tool and Pearson’s r correlations calculated, in addition to 95% confidence intervals, p-values, heterogeneity statistics and fail-safe Ns. These analyses used a random-effects model. Training level (intern, resident, registrar) and specialty (surgical, non-surgical) were examined as potential moderators. Results: Variables with the strongest relationships across burnout dimensions included poor mental health; conflict between individual and organisational values; low job reward; and high workloads. Subgroup analyses identified emotional intelligence, specialty satisfaction, and income satisfaction as significant correlates specifically for surgical registrars. Conclusions: Interventions targeting burnout in medical trainees should focus on a combination of individual (e.g. improving mental health) and work variables (e.g. reduced workload) for maximum benefits. Observed differences between surgical and non-surgical registrars require further examination, as they may compromise transferability of interventions.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Hancock, Joanna. "The Future of Rural Communities: The Impact of Farm Consolidation on Community Vitality and Individual Well-Being." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/134609.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.While some regional areas of Australia are prospering, the decline of small rural towns has been well documented over recent decades. A major contributor has been the move from traditional single family farms towards consolidating farms in response to changing international economies and technology advancement. The environmental and economic effects of this change in farm structure have been considered extensively, however the psychosocial outcomes for rural and remote residents have been poorly researched. The current study addressed whether remote residents were concerned about the effects of farm consolidation on their community’s vitality and whether this was related to their individual well-being. Residents of the Southern Mallee region in South Australia completed online questionnaires. The prevalence of high concern in the population was 65.5% (95% CI: 53.3 to 77.7) indicating that majority of residents were highly concerned about the effects of farm consolidation. A moderation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between perceived community vitality, social support and subjective well-being. The results provided evidence for a positive relationship between perceived community vitality and subjective well-being, which was stronger for participants with low social support than those with high social support. It was concluded that for people with low social support, their well-being is dependent on their perception of the community’s vitality, whereas high social support acts as a protective buffer. Given the decline of rural towns may be inevitable, future policy makers should consider the importance of maintaining social support systems to improve the well-being of rural residents.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2017
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Barker, Erina. "Exploring the association between Interoceptive Awareness, Self-Compassion and Emotional Regulation." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128640.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Although the benefits of adaptive emotional regulation have been extensively researched, the mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. As emotional regulation plays an important role in the onset and maintenance of disturbances associated with a range of psychopathologies, understanding the factors facilitating greater emotional regulation will be beneficial for interventions and mental health promotion in the future. Research is yet to examine the relationship between interoceptive awareness and self-compassion as potential intervention tools for reducing difficulties in emotional regulation. Our aim was to address the gap in the literature by investigating whether self-compassion influences the relationship between interoceptive awareness and emotional regulation. We hypothesised there would be a significant relationship between interoceptive awareness and self-compassion. Two-hundred-and-thirty-two adult participants (178 female, 51 male) completed an online survey measuring interoceptive awareness, self-compassion and emotion regulation difficulties. Results indicated interoceptive awareness was positively associated with self-compassion and negatively associated with emotion regulation difficulties, self-compassion was also negatively associated with difficulties in emotion regulation. Regression analysis found self-compassion mediated the relationship between interoceptive awareness and emotional regulation. Therefore, our findings indicate facilitation of self-compassion may help with reducing the impact of poor interoception on emotional regulation and could have beneficial implications for future therapies.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Szulc, Jessica Stephanie. "Adapting an Integrated Model of Body Appreciation in Women: The Role of Interoceptive Awareness." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129051.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Body image concerns have become normative within current society and, while much research has demonstrated links between body image and overall wellbeing, the causes of positive and negative body image remain unclear. Interoceptive awareness (IA) is one construct that has been shown to have positive relationships with body appreciation, however body image literature lacks an integrative theoretical model which incorporates its influence. A convenience sample of 197 female participants from Australia completed an online questionnaire comprising several standardised measures including measures of IA, body appreciation and other proposed factors underlying positive body image. Results indicated that greater IA, self-compassion and perceived body acceptance by others, and lower self-objectification, social comparison and internalisation of the thin-ideal were related to greater body appreciation. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that appearance processing mechanisms – self-objectification, social comparison, and thin-ideal internalisation – negatively predicted body appreciation, and self-objectification and social comparison mediated the relationship between IA and body appreciation. The adapted model of positive body image provided a good fit to the data. Findings contribute to the understanding of body appreciation, suggesting that IA is an influential factor within body appreciation, and can help inform future practices to increase overall wellbeing.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Sandland, Jacqueline. "Achieving ‘partnership’: The relationship between horse and rider in the competition arena." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/103512.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.This study aims to explore the horse-rider relationship in elite-level eventing. Current literature suggests that the concept, ‘partnership’, is routinely used to describe a fundamental aspect of rider-horse compatibility, and that this concept is argued to need time to develop. Highly skilled riders who use multiple horses in competition may not have time to develop such ‘partnerships’, however, such combinations are often found to achieve significant competitive success. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore how elite-level eventing riders account for equestrian performance and how ‘partnership’ between horse and rider is routinely described in discussing achievement at this level. Discursive analysis was used to identify broad patterns in the data, as well as identifying routine linguistic practices and rhetorical organisation that recur in elite riders’ constructions of event horses. Event horses were routinely described in two ways: as autonomous, decision-making agent, and as social being, that displays specific dispositional attributes that contribute toward performance success. These constructions were applied to an ‘equine habitus’ framework (Gilbert & Gillett, 2011), to develop the notion of an ‘eventing habitus’. The study’s findings have practical application for riders and trainers in competitive environments as well as for other equestrian professionals (e.g. jockeys and stockmen) who are routinely required to ride unfamiliar horses in high-risk contexts.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2016
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Inglis, Maximilian. "Existential Concerns as Predictors of Spiritual Emergency and Psychosis." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131187.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.The cause of psychosis remains uncertain, and the current biological model for treating psychosis is somewhat ineffective, with the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs to reduce psychotic symptoms and prevent relapse being 41%. As such, calls have been made for new hypotheses to be examined to aid in the understanding and treatment of psychosis. This study explored two complementary hypotheses: ‘Spiritual Emergency’ (SE), and ‘psychosis as a coping mechanism for existential distress’. SE is similar in presentation to psychosis, but evidence suggests that SE can be psychologically healing and can be differentiated from psychosis by its divergent relationship with alogia and depression. Existential psychologists have posited a relationship between psychosis and existential distress, but presently there has been no quantitative research conducted on the relationship between existential distress and SE/psychosis. This present study aimed to confirm alogia and depression as differentiating variables between psychosis and SE, in addition to exploring the relationship that the two constructs have with existential concerns (ECs). Results confirmed that alogia and depression predict psychosis only, and there was no overlap in the ECs that predicted each construct. Psychosis was predicted by increased death anxiety, existential loneliness, and identity distress, while increased meaning [search for and presence of], reactance, and decreased death anxiety predicted SE. The results indicate that SE may have a psychological healing effect through a reduction in existential distress, while psychosis can be predicted by increases in existential distress. The findings have implications for the diagnosis of and potential treatments for psychosis.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Girardo, Monique. "Parenting as a Predictor of Child Development: The Association between Parenting Styles in Childhood and Adolescent Internalising and Externalising Problems." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131181.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Parenting factors are important to early experiences in childhood. Empirical evidence suggests parenting style can have a significant impact to child development, however there is little known evidence that specific parenting styles have a long-lasting effect on adolescent mental health problems. Many studies have focused on child outcomes, with few considering later adolescent internalising and externalising emotional and behavioural outcomes. The aim of this thesis is to examine the strength of the association between two parenting styles (angry parenting and parental warmth) when children were aged 4/5 and its effect on adolescent internalising and externalising problems when children were aged 16/17. Participants were mothers and children (n = 4983) who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) (2004-2018). A complete case sample of 806 participants were recruited, each of whom participated in all relevant measures. These were children who had completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age 16/17 and parents who had completed the Angry Parenting Scale and Parental Warmth Scale at age 4/5 and the SDQ at age 16/17. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the strength of the association between parenting styles and adolescent internalising and externalising problems amongst other variables. The results of the study found no statistically significant results to support parenting style at age 4/5 was associated with adolescent internalising and externalising problems at age 16/17. Future studies should conduct post-hoc analysis testing to determine at what age parenting style effects child internalising and externalising development.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Zanandrea, Elysia. "Effect of Psychological Factors on GP Follow-Up and Short-Term Hospital Readmission Among Older Inpatients’ with Comorbid Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129057.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Life expectancy at birth is increasing in Australia, alongside the prevalence of chronic conditions and comorbidity. This places a heavy burden on patients, carers, and our healthcare system. Minimal research has assessed psychological risk factors for non-adherence and hospital readmissions in patients who have comorbid cardiovascular disease and diabetes, yet these commonly co-occur, particularly in older adults, and are associated with increased hospitalizations. This longitudinal cohort study aims to explore psychological risk factors for non-adherence (failing to attend a general practitioner follow-up appointment after hospital discharge) and short-term hospital readmission in older adult inpatients (N = 36, M = 67.78 years) with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, recruited from a public hospital in Australia. Results indicated that GP follow-up and readmission were not related, and no gender differences were found. CHLOC (OR = 0.82) and PHLOC (OR = 0.82) predicted non-adherence. Depression (r = -.23) and stress (r = -.10) increased likelihood of readmission, however logistic regression analyses found none of these significantly predicted readmissions. These findings help to inform the risk factors of non-adherence and short-term readmissions in older adults with comorbid cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which may help reduce the impact on our healthcare system.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Tape, Nicole. "The Impact of Psychological Health on Academic Performance: A Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129356.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.A child’s education should prepare them to meet the challenges of the world. Identifying factors that determine academic performance is paramount as success sets a pathway for lifelong opportunities. Intellectual ability fails as the sole predictor of academic outcomes, therefore additional factors must exist. Positive emotions have been linked to attaining skills that foster academic performance (Fredrickson, 2004) suggesting well-being may have predictive value. Limited studies exist investigating the relationship between well-being and academic performance. Cross-sectional methodology is commonly employed leaving findings based on longitudinal design under researched. The present study conducted at Blackwood High School aims to narrow this gap by investigating well-being and academic performance incorporating a longitudinal design. Respondents were 327 South Australian middle and high school students (n=163 males, 164 females) who completed surveys of wellbeing and ill-being analysed against academic grades. Well-being was found to explain 5 to 6% of the variance in academic performance with the domain of Perseverance the most significant predictor. Given intelligence is a well-established predictor which cannot be taught, this finding is meaningful as Perseverance can be learnt through positive education programs. These results can be applied to positive education within schools as they offer educators an avenue for simultaneously improving the well-being of students and their academic performance. It is hoped these results will inspire further investigations and guide future positive psychology programs.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Baltussen, Susanne Iris. "The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts: Choral Experiences of Singers and Conductors." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/132098.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Music making provides an opportunity for human groups to create and participate in shared experiences. However, little is known on why people sing in choirs. Previous literature on choir as a form of group music making has been limited to populations with adverse life circumstances, and, as such, findings are varied and inconsistent. Within the Psychology of Music, research has focused on psychological benefits for members of choirs, specifically from unique and disadvantaged groups. The present study aims to explore the experience of middle-class choristers and their conductors to add to emerging findings of psychological and social outcomes from choir. Two choirs, one non-professional and one professional, were recruited using purposive sampling methods. A total of 21 participants took part in semistructured interviews; 18 singers, and 3 conductors. The first 14 interviews were transcribed verbatim, and all remaining interviews were partially transcribed. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) identified three broad categories of Individual Benefits, Group Benefits, and the Conductor’s Role under which themes were grouped. Eleven main themes were identified and discussed. Implications of the findings are of potential interest to choir conductors, music educators, or other community groups. Future research could include different age groups and choirs with less experience.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2017
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Janovska, Alena. "Longitudinal Biomarker Prediction of Altered Cognition and Mood Outcomes in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Study." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131207.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Parkinson´s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with severely debilitating non-motor symptoms (e.g., cognitive and mood dysfunction) that negatively affect quality of life. Prodromal symptoms (REM sleep behaviour disorder (RSBD) and olfactory dysfunction) and inflammation are risk factors for neuropsychiatric alterations, but their predictive value is currently unknown. Data at PD diagnosis and 5-year follow-ups were obtained from the longitudinal PPMI database. Latent growth curve modelling was used to investigate whether baseline prodromal symptoms, urate and six immunomarkers could predict the initial value and the change in cognition and mood over time. A large analysis was undertaken for prodromal symptoms, serum urate and insulin-like growth factor-1 (n = 399) and smaller exploratory analyses for immunomarkers (n = 75-99). Confounders included sex, education, age and BMI at PD diagnosis. Age had a negative effect on cognition and its change, education had a positive effect on cognition, mood and its change. Urate and immunomarkers did not significantly influence cognition or mood. RSBD predicted significantly lower cognitive function and mood at PD diagnosis (p ≤ .001) and a decline in cognitive function over time (p = .01). Olfactory dysfunction negatively affected mood function at diagnosis (p ˂ .05) and predicted decline in cognitive function and mood over time (p = .000 and p = .073, respectively). These prodromal symptoms are both valuable markers for early detection of PD, cognitive and mood dysfunction and for predicting individual trajectories of change in neuropsychiatric disorders post-diagnosis, thus allowing for personalised therapeutic interventions.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Rose, Alice. "Adding More Layers to Loss: LGBTQ+ People’s Experiences of Pregnancy Loss." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131285.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.While reproductive technologies are facilitating the expansion of kinship possibilities for LGBTQ+ people, psychological supports are lagging for key aspects of reproduction such as pregnancy loss, which occurs in one-quarter of pregnancies in Australia. More knowledge about LGBTQ+ people’s pregnancy loss experiences must be gained before effective support can be provided. This qualitative study contributes to such knowledge by exploring experiences of pregnancy loss and support through semi-structured interviews with 14 LGBTQ+ people, including gestational and non-gestational parents. Using thematic analysis four themes were generated to describe the factors that shape experiences of pregnancy loss for LGBTQ+ people: (1) pregnancy loss can only be fully understood in context; (2) the role of compassionate healthcare; (3) lack of identity recognition and discrimination compounds distress; and (4) seeking psychological safety and understanding in times of distress. Across themes, participants described multilayered experiences reflective of existing research on common aspects of pregnancy loss and added layers that, for LGBTQ+ people, travel alongside the more widely reported aspects. The additional challenges experienced throughout the journey of conception, pregnancy, and loss, compounded the distress experienced and highlighted the need for tailored resources and supports for LGBTQ+ people. This research illustrates how pregnancy losses can be experienced differently by different cohorts, particularly when normative reproductive practices are challenged. These findings have implications for how pregnancy loss can be understood in theory and addressed in practice. There are many avenues for future research, including the development of professional education programs relating to LGBTQ+ pregnancy loss.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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Tabe, Alexandra. "Confidence as a Predictor of Academic Success." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129052.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.This study aims to determine the impact of confidence on academic performance in a cohort of first year psychology students. Intelligence is well understood as a key predictor of academic performance, however there are other factors which can contribute to a student’s success. Previous research highlights confidence as one of these potential factors. In order to distinguish confidence as a factor, participants completed a number of online measures and were asked to rank their confidence on each task. The tasks were the Mental-Rotation Task, a perceptual task, and the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices, an established measure of intelligence. It was found that confidence was positively correlated with academic performance, however the strength of the relationship was weak, this was due to suppression effects caused by gender differences. It was found that although males had lower academic performance than their female peers, they were more confident when rating their own performance. These results build upon previous research by exploring the potential impact that confidence can have on academic performance. It also highlights the differences and similarities in performance on cognitive and non-cognitive tasks. This research has potential impact in education research and the capacity for further exploration of gender differences.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Marshall, Nina. "Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Interoception: A Meta-Analysis." Thesis, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2440/133228.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Background: There is increasing evidence that interoception - the ability to sense, appraise, or attend to changes in the physiological and emotional condition of the body – impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. The degree to which psychotherapies, such as mindfulness, target the mind-body connection and help to promote interoceptive functioning remains unclear. Aim: To systematically examine and quantify available evidence for the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) on interoceptive ability, and to identify potential moderators of treatment effect. Method: A systematic search of the CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases identified 12 randomised controlled trials evaluating interoception pre-post MBI for a pooled sample of 771 adults. Reporting quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0), and Hedges’ g effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals, p values and heterogeneity statistics calculated using a random effects model. Results: MBIs produced moderate to large, statistically significant improvements across subjective facets of interoception, particularly self-regulatory domains, relative to peers who accessed alternate therapies, standard care, or no treatment (g range = 0.634 to 1.315). Between-group differences for objective measures of interoceptive accuracy were small and non-significant (gw = 0.126, 95% CI [-0.124, 0.377], p = .324). Longer term benefits could not be established (k = 2). Intervention intensity was identified as a significant moderator, indicative of a dose-response relationship. Conclusion: MBIs hold promise for improving several facets of impaired interoception implicated in the aetiology and maintenance of many high-prevalence mental health disorders.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2021
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Sach, Edward. "Driving Performance Associated with the Morning Commute Improves Over a Week of Simulated Night Shifts." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128984.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Commuters driving home from a night shift are at greater risk of having a motor vehicle accident due to extended wake episodes, sleep loss and circadian misalignment. Over consecutive night shifts, driving performance may improve as the circadian system adapts to the sleep-wake schedule, or decline with the accumulation of sleep loss. The aim of this study was to investigate driving performance associated with the post night shift commute over seven consecutive night shifts. Sixty-seven subjects undertook seven simulated night shifts under laboratory conditions. Following each shift, participants performed a 20-minute simulated driving task. Driving performance was assessed using lane variability (i.e. standard deviation of lateral position), speed variability (i.e. standard deviation of speed), and the likelihood of crashing and speeding relative to a daytime drive. Lane variability, speed variability and the likelihood of crashing declined over seven consecutive night shifts. The likelihood of speeding exhibited no change. These findings indicate that driving performance improved over the seven consecutive night shifts. The trend in performance likely reflected the adaptation of the circadian system. These results indicate that relatively short sequences of night shifts that dominate most Occupational Health and Safety guidelines may not always be optimal in minimizing fatigue-related risk.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Pearce, Thomas. "The Performance of Untrained Humans Verifying Children and Adults in a Face Matching Task." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129293.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Identifying children is a high priority in numerous government agencies not only in border checks, but to aid against child exploitation. However, research suggests children are hard to identify due to childhood facial development. Face matching is a common form of identification in areas such as border checks and investigative applications. A recent study demonstrated that trained facial practitioners found it more difficult to verify child identities compared to adult identities in a one-to-one unfamiliar face matching task, but there is a significant gap in research on whether it is naturally challenging to verify child identities. Thus, the present study primarily aimed to determine whether people with no training or experience find it naturally harder to match child compared to adult faces. The study secondly aimed to find if these people performed better determining whether two faces belonged to the same person, or different people. Students (N = 35) were asked to perform 200 one-to-one face matching trials, determining whether pairs of faces belonged to the same or different people and rate their confidence. The results demonstrated novices were significantly less accurate, confident and slower comparing child images compared to adult images, although performance when image pairs were the same versus different people had mixed results. The findings indicate people are naturally worse at verifying children, providing an argument for child specific training for human facial practitioners. Future research should compare people with and without training and experience, for an extensive analysis on whether this effects human face matching performance.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2018
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Cavallaro, Anneliese. "Perceptual Expertise in Fingerprint Classification." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/129100.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Fingerprint examiners classify crime scene prints as belonging a left or right hand and to a finger-type – thumb index, middle, ring or little – to help narrow their search for known candidate prints. While fingerprint examiners have been found to have impressive perceptual expertise little in known about their perceptual abilities in this aspect of the fingerprint examination process. The present study served as a first test of fingerprint classification expertise, probing experienced (n = 30) and novice (n = 30) examiners in their ability to classify a controlled, fully rolled, set of prints by hand-type and finger-type in a 10-alternative forced-choice task. Using a yoked novice-expert design performance was measured at two levels of specificity: a coarse-grained level accounting for hand-type classifications (i.e. “left” versus “right”), and a fine-grained level accounting for finger-type classifications (i.e., “thumb”, “index’, “middle”, “ring”, “little”). The results revealed experienced fingerprint examiners were indeed sensitive to the type of hand a fingerprint originated from and were significantly better than novices at these classifications. The experts were also able to classify fingerprints by finger-type, performing significantly above chance. Novices, on the other hand, did not differ from chance at classifying fingerprints by finger-type. These expert-novice differences remained large, even when accounting for response times when classifying prints by hand and finger-type. These data suggest that fingerprint experts are able to generalise their highly specific perceptual expertise with fingerprint to coarser grained levels of analysis: moving from identity to hand and finger classification.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Riley, Megan E. "Surgeon Communication in Outpatient Consultations – What seems to be the problem? A thematic discourse analysis." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128983.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.There is widespread acceptance in the literature and in practice that ‘good communication skills’ are integral to treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. However, it is also acknowledged that many medical students and practising clinicians are skeptical of communication skills training. The majority of this research focuses on interaction between patients and primary care providers and less is known about the nature of surgeon-specific communication. The present study involves an exploration of surgeons’ accounts of communication in outpatient consultations. Participants were 12 surgeons from two large public hospitals in South Australia. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic discourse analysis. Surgeons were asked to talk about their experience of communicating with patients in outpatient consultations with reference to what helps, what hinders and whether there is a role for training. Five interpretative repertoires were generated. Two repertoires, It’s not us who are the bad communicators and Time is the enemy, locate communication difficulties as an unavoidable consequence of the social and organisational context. Three repertoires, Communication as generic skill set, Communication changes with experience and Communication as fixed trait, construct a case against communication education in its current form. Clear implications for future training are explored.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Arendt, Molly. "Australian Women’s Knowledge of and Attitudes towards Non-Medical Oocyte Cryopreservation." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131017.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Aims: Infertility is a global public health issue, with one in six couples worldwide facing fertility issues. One technique to potentially combat this issue and preserve fertility is oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing), which has previously been heavily researched among cancer patients. The present study focused on egg freezing for non-medical indications and aimed to determine which factors are associated with the decision to freeze eggs. Method: 514 participants aged between 18-44 years completed an online survey exploring knowledge of fertility, reproductive intentions and attitudes towards non-medical egg freezing. All factors were analysed descriptively. T-tests and Chi-Square analyses were also used to check for significant differences. Eighteen variables, identified as significant predictors of egg freezing in prior literature, were entered into a binary multiple logistic regression. Results: Overall, participants had poor knowledge of fertility with a mean score of 2.35/7 (SD= 1.31) on the adapted Swedish Fertility Awareness Questionnaire. Attitudes towards non-medical egg freezing were generally positive, with 61.3% of participants (N= 315) positively endorsing the procedure. Five variables were identified as predictors for the choice to undergo non-medical egg freezing: age, health of offspring, the importance of having children, having had a prior fertility consultation, and Medicare subsidisation. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an increasingly pressing need for targeted and effective fertility information. Future research, specifically examining the impacts of age and cost on the decision to undergo non-medical egg freezing in an Australian sample would be beneficial to determine if the results are replicable or the result of individual differences.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
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D’Annunzio, Jessica. "Attitudes of the Australian Public to Current and Emerging Assisted Reproductive Technologies." Thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/128745.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Aims. Infertility is a global public health issue. Scientific advancements and demand for alternative pathways to parenthood have resulted in emerging reproductive technologies. The present research aimed to clarify how demographic and fertility factors influence attitudes toward current and emerging assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Australia. Methods. 265 participants aged 16-87 years completed an online questionnaire exploring attitudes toward current and emerging ARTs between April and August 2019. Acceptability of the technologies and their contextual use were analysed alongside demographic (including gender, age, education), and fertility, factors. Results. Medically necessary procedures typically attracted higher acceptability than social use. Suggested age requirements for ART varied from current practice guidelines. Utilising reproductive techniques in the case of infertility ranked higher (64%) than choosing to adopt (10%) or foster (3.4%) a child. Females and older participants more strongly supported mandatory counselling. Commercial and altruistic surrogacy attracted support for legalisation. Conclusions. Demographic factors have been demonstrated to relate to the acceptability of various ART. Genetic lineage remains important when selecting alternate pathways to parenthood. Australians are generally accepting of government funding for ARTs, with the exception of sex selection and commercial surrogacy.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
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Aiyar, Ria. "“It’s better to have support”: Understanding wellbeing and support needs of gender and sexuality diverse migrants in Australia." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131014.
Full textAbstract:
This item is only available electronically.Australia is considered a diverse community, home to many migrants from across the globe. Within this migrant population, are a relatively overlooked and under-researched group – people who are gender or sexuality diverse. Research has shown that people with migrant backgrounds often have poorer wellbeing than the general population. The same is often true of people who are gender and sexuality diverse. However, there remains little information concerning the wellbeing needs and the barriers and facilitators to support for this group, particularly in the Australian context. The current study aimed to fill these gaps through understanding gender and sexuality diverse migrant perceptions of wellbeing, migration-related factors which affect wellbeing, and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 gender and sexuality diverse migrants from Bangladesh, Brazil, Central Europe, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and the Philippines. Results were analysed through thematic analysis and findings were discussed using Bronfenbrenner’s (1981) socioecological model (SEM). Themes highlighted how the various factors affecting wellbeing at different levels of the SEM, intertwine to impact overall wellbeing, how gender, sexuality and migration-related experiences shape wellbeing and the importance of social connections to wellbeing. Participants also discussed the barriers and facilitators to finding information for support, accessing inclusive services, accessing services eligible to them, and access to providers whose identities mirrored participants’ own identities. Findings from this study will assist with the improvement of current services and guide the implementation of new services which seek to directly support this group of people.
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020