The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND

Sciences Conference Papers School of Sciences

2008

Psychology and the research enterprise: Moving beyond the enduring hegemony of positivism

Lauren Breen

Dawn Darlaston-Jones University of Notre Dame Australia, [email protected]

Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/sci_conference

Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

This conference paper was originally published as: Breen, L., & Darlaston-Jones, D. (2008). and the research enterprise: Moving beyond the enduring hegemony of positivism. 43rd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society.

This conference paper is posted on ResearchOnline@ND at https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/sci_conference/2. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This article was downloaded by: [University of Notre Dame Australia] On: 12 April 2010 Access details: Access Details: [subscription number 789513571] Publisher Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37- 41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Australian Journal of Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713701010

The Abstracts of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society

To cite this Article (2008) 'The Abstracts of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society', Australian Journal of Psychology, 60: 1, 107 — 208 To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/00049530802385558 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00049530802385558

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden.

The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. Combined Abstracts of 2008 Psychology Conferences, pp. 107 -208

The Abstracts of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society

23 – 26 September 2008

Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

Abstracts Editors: Vicky Mrowinski and Nicholas Voudouris Australian Psychological Society We are pleased to present the abstracts from the 43nd Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society. The presentations cover all areas of Psychology, from the applied to the theoretical and the conference theme – Psychology Leading Change – is reflected in the abstracts. The membership of the Society is also well represented with submissions from postgraduate students, current lecturers and practitioners, and members of different cultures. All submissions were subject to peer review by at least two reviewers. As in previous years, the variety and scope of the offerings is one of the great strengths of our annual conference. In addition to helping you choose which sessions to attend during the conference, the abstracts will provide a valuable reference source in the future, providing a snapshot of the current research and practice in Australian psychology. Many of the abstracts also refer to papers that are printed in full in our Conference Proceedings, which are on sale here at the conference and – failing that - available to everyone to purchase through the APS National Office. I would like to thank the members of the Scientific Program Committee who were responsible for reviewing the abstracts in a timely and efficient manner. I would also like to thank Nicholas Voudouris, Elaine Grant and their team of helpers at the National Office of the APS for their tireless efforts in bringing together the conference and this volume of abstracts.

Jeff Summers Chair

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM COMMITTEE Jeffery Summers (Chair) Raimondo Bruno Gerard Fogarty Lyn Littlefield Anthony Love Frances Martin Iain Montgomery Kate Moore Nicholas Voudouris

107 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Co-action in human and autonomous platform faced in the construction of the scale included the teams: A dynamical field approach need to keep it short and simple for in-class use, and the need to make it flexible enough to be used across AIDMAN, E., IVANCEVIC, V., & YEN, L. (DSTO) [email protected] all grade levels. Substantial evidence was found for the validity and reliability of the resulting 28 item ynamical systems theory (DST) has recently scale, the Positive Identity Questionnaire (PIQ). The Dbeen extended to account for the properties of ability of the PIQ to measure nine self-concept human cognitive functioning (Schoner, 2007). As a dimensions provided evidence for the construct result, DST is promising to provide the language in validity of this questionnaire. All components with which the principles of embodied and situated four items or more were internally consistent for cognition can be developed into a rigorous scientific participants in grades 1 to 12. The PIQ demonstrated theory. In particular, DST has a proven efficiency in satisfactory test-retest reliability when calculated for modelling agency and autonomy as emergent all participants. However it was found that the PIQ properties of self-stabilising dynamical systems. may not be as valid or reliable for children in grades 1 General stochastic dynamics, developed in a to 3 as it is for children and adolescents in grades 4 to framework of Feynman path integrals, have been 12. applied to Lewinian force-field dynamics, with a new concept of Life–Space Foam (LSF) emerging as a Adjustment in parents of children with disability: natural medium for motivational / cognitive Interrelationships of resistance factors dynamics (Ivancevic & Aidman, 2007). The concept ALIMANOVIC, A., & McLEAN, L. (Monash offers a mathematically rigorous characterisation of University) individual actor dynamics. The current paper extends [email protected] the model to characterise the dynamics of co-action by two or more actors. This dynamics is modelled by he aim of this study was to further understand (a) two-term joint action (cognitive and motivational Twhy some parents are better able to adjust to potential plus kinetic energy), and (b) associated having a child with disability than others by adaptive path integrals, representing infinite– exploring perceived control of internal states and dimensional neural networks. Feedback adaptation social support as resistance factors. Eighty-three loops are derived from Bernstein’s (1967) concept of mothers and fathers of children aged 1 to 18 years sensory corrections in motor control and Brooks’ were recruited from early intervention centres and (1990) subsumption architectures in robotics. schools in Victoria. Parents completed the Perceived Potential applications of the approach to modelling Control of Internal States Scale (PCOISS; Pallant, co-action in human and autonomous platform teams 2000), the Social Support Questionnaire-6 (SSQ-6; are discussed. Sarason, Sarason, Shearin & Pierce, 1987) and the Australian World Health Organisation Quality of

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 The development of a measure of identity for Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF; Murphy, Herrman, Indigenous Australian school students Hawthorne, Pinzone & Evert, 2000). The psychological and physical health subscales on the ALBION, MJ., & HENSCHELL, A. (University of WHOQOL-BREF were used as measures of Southern Queensland) [email protected] adjustment. It was found that perceived control of internal states was associated with both measures of urdie, Tripcony, Boulton-Lewis, Fanshawe, and adjustment, as was the functional measure of support. PGunstone (2000) suggest that poorer academic The structural measure was only associated with outcomes, lower education retention rates, and psychological health. Both structural and functional higher absenteeism of Indigenous students could be measures of support partially mediated the improved if they had more opportunity to experience relationship between perceived control and success and develop positive perceptions about psychological health. Furthermore number of themselves as students. The aim of this study was to supports moderated the relationship between develop a valid and reliable measure of identity for perceived control and psychological health. These Indigenous Australian school students. Challenges results imply that perceived control of internal states

108 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

and social support may be instrumental factors in the questionnaires completed by parents, combined with development of successful intervention programs, observations of heart rate graphs of the children’s particularly when their interrelationships are taken progression through the game. The aim of the study into account. is to determine the effectiveness of through heart rate and skin conductance Psychometric properties of Scheier and Carver’s measurements of children with AD/HD, and present Life Orientation Test in a sample of prisoners it as a reasonable option to help manage AD/HD. It ALLAN, M. (Edith Cowan University), & GILES, M. is hypothesized that (i) results may show (Curtin University of Technology) improvements in attention, hyperactivity, and [email protected] impulsivity levels, (ii) an involvement in biofeedback sessions may produce significantly less, if any, side he psychometric properties of Scheier and effects in comparison to side effects experienced from Carver's (1985) Life Orientation Test (LOT), a T medication, (iii) a difference in outcomes from measure of optimism, were examined as part of a children who attend sessions once a week, to those study that investigated the education, training and who attend sessions three times a week, and (iv) work experience of 453 sentenced adult prisoners in experience with parenting stress could decline with Western Australia. The mean age was 34.4 years, session progression. Results demonstrated significant 21% were females and 21% reported being Aboriginal differences between behaviour levels in children in or Torres Strait islander. Five metropolitan public both experimental (n=26) and control groups prisons participated, ranging from minimum to (n=12), as well as differences in parent’s (n=25) maximum security. All prisoners were invited to mental health. participate. The response rate was 50% for both women’s prisons, almost 90% (308 prisoners) for the The sport as the performance minimum security men’s prisons, but only 13% (52 enhancer: Pulling the plug on a terminal patient prisoners) for the maximum security men’s prison. The means and standard deviations suggest that ANDERSEN, M. (Victoria University) optimism scores for prisoners were similar to those of [email protected] other groups and demographic differences did not he popular misconception of sport have significant effects on the scores. The internal Tas performance enhancers is reinforced by reliability of the LOT scores with this sample was practitioners themselves, the dismissive and acceptable. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated patronising perceptions of other psychologists, the that the two-factor item-keying model fitted the media, and the misunderstandings of the profession prisoner data better than a one-factor model. by athletes and coaches. The Australian model of However, the two factors did not simply reflect training sport psychologists has, as its number one underlying optimism and pessimism constructs, but goal, the education of psychologists first. In the two

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 were substantially affected by item keying. Australian universities that train sport psychologists, expertise in working with athletes and coaches is a Exploring the use of biofeedback video games to second string to the bow for students. This training help children diagnosed with Attention- model is relatively rare in the world. Many sport Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) psychology programs outside of Australia focus on AMON, KL., & CAMPBELL, AJ. (The University of the (for me) tiresome techniques of goal setting, self- Sydney) talk, imagery, attention, and relaxation. Many [email protected] coaches, pseudo psychologists, charlatans, NLPers, his study investigates a biofeedback program and so forth also provide those CBT techniques, and Tcalled The Journey to Wild Divine. The Wild are often employed by teams. The idea of serving as a Divine uses three finger sensors to measure heart rate “performance enhancer” seems, in some cases, and skin conductance levels. Changes to an pernicious and in contrast to the goals of psychology individual’s physiology are reflected through the as a profession. Performance enhancement focuses on video game via numerous on screen events. The study “behaviour” (e.g., citius, altius, fortius) rather than the measures behavioural and emotional changes through health and happiness of clients. In the pursuit of 109 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

better performance, the so-called performance- Findings suggest a strong role for classroom tasks in enhancement sport psychologist may be colluding student class room social networks. Findings with a system of abusive practices aimed at things further suggest that there are many things that (e.g., gold medals, national pride) other than educators can do to increase feelings of social individual happiness. connectedness in students. Based on student satisfaction ratings and anonymous student Promoting the emotional literacy of adolescent comments, there is evidence that the emphasis on boys: The circle time approach social lab activities (e.g., negotiation role plays; team ANDREWS, M. (University of Melbourne) decision making exercises) was positively received. [email protected] Social network analysis enabled us to measure more objectively the attainment of such educational goals chools play a crucial role in assisting young people as social connectedness and collegiality. Further Sto develop effective social and emotional skills. implications on the role of social network analysis in Research shows that emotional literacy programs improving educational outcomes and how to have numerous benefits, including greater emotional effectively conduct a social network analysis in the self-awareness, self-control and towards university classroom context will be discussed. others. Research also shows that these programs are associated with improvements in learning and school The dynamic nature of individual differences in performance. This paper describes an emotional performance on the Kanfer-Ackerman Air Traffic literacy program currently being implemented in a Control Task boys’ high school. A key component of the program is the use of weekly circle time sessions. Sitting in a ANGLIM, J. (The University of Melbourne), & LANGAN-FOX, J. (Swinburne University of circle format, students and teachers take part in Technology) structured individual and group activities that cover a [email protected] range of topics, including emotional knowledge, self- esteem, communication and friendship. To assist he development of statistical models, user- teachers to develop targeted circle time sessions, all Tfriendly software and the overall maturity of students completed a self-report measure of psychology as a discipline has led researchers to call emotional literacy at the commencement of the for the development of nonlinear multilevel models program. Initial findings and implications for future of psychological phenomena (e.g., Cudeck & programs will be explored. Harring, 2007). Learning is a prime example of phenomena that is characterised by non-linear Social dynamics in a university class room: A trajectories and substantial individual differences. In social networks approach order to explore the implications of non-linear multilevel models for conceptualisations of learning, ANGLIM, J., CANTY, J., & WEARING, A. (The

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 we performed a re-analysis of the dataset from University of Melbourne) [email protected] Experiment 1 of Ackerman and Cianciolo (2000). Participants were 166 adults completing the Kanfer- ow can the university experience be made more Ackerman Air Traffic Control Task over thirty-six Hsocially engaging? What factors predict 10-minute task trials. Each trial included multiple interaction patterns both inside and outside the measures of task performance including number of rd university class room? As part of a 3 year planes landed, violations of landing rules and number undergraduate I/O psychology course, we measured of crashes. A series of analyses, including nonlinear social networks in three separate weeks of a lab class multilevel models, were performed exploring series (4 lab groups; approximately 25 students per learning trajectories at the individual and aggregate lab). Big-5 personality factors, course content level. The emphasis of the talk is on the practical knowledge, educational values, and demographics implications of dynamic models of performance, and were also measured. Adopting this approach we were dynamic models more generally, for I/O able to integrate individual difference and social psychologists, particularly in the domains of network perspectives within a longitudinal context. selection, training, and performance evaluation.

110 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Practical tips on how to conduct a sophisticated police professional standards and internal online psychological experiment investigations (in terms of supporting members and their families across the whole process, as well as ANGLIM, J., & WATERS, L. (The University of Melbourne) providing opinion and statement of fact and [email protected] managing the question, ‘who is the client?’), work suitability and fitness for duty assessments, and esearchers interested in greater access to management requests for assistance (including the Rparticipants and reduced data administration continuum of management and psychologist costs are frequently using online software to responsibility). Three cases will be explored, clearly administer simple surveys. However, many articulating the challenges and how the psychologist psychological research paradigms are more than just a involved was able to navigate through the issues with series of survey items. Psychological research some level of resolution, including organisational, typically has more sophisticated requirements such as legal and moral components, education of the need to allocate participants to between subject management and advice seeking from professional conditions, record response latencies, precisely time bodies, registrations boards and commonwealth stimulus presentation, randomise ordering of within agencies. The three case studies cover: internal subject conditions, and present feedback. In order to investigations with breach of confidentiality; fitness realise the benefits of the online environment while for duty assessment; and a case combining internal having the control required of experimental investigations, HR, confidentiality, privacy and psychology, we started using online psychological ComCare. experimentation software (Inquisit). We have now conducted numerous online psychological Do young cannabis users require residential experiments on such topics as personality faking, treatment? social network analysis and skill acquisition. Drawing ARCURI, A., COPELAND, J., & HOWARD, J. on experience we will: 1) display examples of our (University of New South Wales) online experiments; 2) highlight useful features; 3) [email protected] discuss strategies for overcoming challenges involved with online experiments; and 4) provide tips for lthough cannabis is the most common drug for learning how to program the experiments in Inquisit. Awhich young people present to specialist The talk should be of interest to academic, student, substance use treatment in Australia, the prevailing and practitioner researchers who are interested in sentiment is that young cannabis users do not require conducting more sophisticated psychological research residential treatment. To test this assumption, the over the internet. current study comparatively examined the clinical profiles of 1221 admissions to an Australian Ethical issues for psychologists working in law residential treatment program for substance-

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 enforcement agencies dependent adolescents. Young people who nominated cannabis as their substance of primary concern were ARBLASTER, WR. (Australian Federal Police) [email protected] younger and more likely to be male than those who presented primarily with psychostimulant, alcohol or thical challenges, dilemmas, responsibilities, opioid use. After controlling for potentially Eallegiances and benefice are just some of the key confounding variables, the cannabis group concerns for psychologists that are employees of law demonstrated less physical ill-health and criminal enforcement agencies, providing services across a involvement than the other groups, but their mental gamut of operational areas where psychological input health was as poor as that of the psychostimulant and expertise is required and provided. This covers group, and poorer than that of the alcohol and opioid routine areas such as selection, recruitment and groups. Also, the cannabis group demonstrated less special operational / deployment testing and sexually unsafe behaviour than the psychostimulant assessment, support, monitoring, debriefing, group, but had poorer social functioning than the reintegration and other more sensitive areas that alcohol and opioid groups. Finally, the cannabis require psychological service provision. For example, group was retained in treatment for longer than the

111 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

psychostimulant and opioid groups. These findings Restorative environments: The relationship support the need for the provision of residential between nature in school playgrounds and services for at least some young cannabis users: those children’s attention in school classrooms who are dependent, have complex needs, and may be BAGOT, KL. (Monash University)*, KUO, FE. poly-substance users. (University of Illinois), & ALLEN, FCL.* [email protected] Psychotherapists’ handling of sexual attraction to clients: A grounded theory nvironments which promote, and not merely Epermit, the restoration of depleted psychological ARCURI, A., & McILWAIN, D. (Macquarie University) [email protected] resources are referred to as restorative environments. More natural environments; that is, environments ollowing 20 years of progressive yet sporadic with higher levels of natural elements such as trees Fresearch, the literature relating to and grassy spaces, are associated with higher attention psychotherapists’ handling of sexual attraction to and higher levels of restorative environment clients remains underdeveloped and fragmented. The components, when compared to results from more current qualitative research attempts to reignite this urban environments, with both adults and children. flagging literature via interviews with 11 This study investigates primary school playgrounds psychotherapists, which were analysed to develop a as possible restorative environments for children’s grounded theory of psychotherapists’ handling of capacity to direct attention in their classrooms. sexual attraction to clients. The resulting theory Children (N=550) from 14 primary schools explains the development of sexual attraction to completed measures of attention at three time points: clients via the combined influences of the client, the the beginning of the school day, just before and then psychotherapist, and the therapeutic relationship. In immediately after their morning play period. addition, it explains the process of handling such Children also completed a perceived restorative sexual attraction via decision-making influenced by components scale. Levels of nature were measured numerous characteristics of the psychotherapist, and using photograph ratings and vegetation volume. based on various qualities of the sexual attraction, its Results indicate that actual vegetation volume is the perceived manageability, and the ethicality and only environmental predictor of potential consequences of handling it in certain ways. Such restoration, which in turn predicts performance on handling strategies include: implementation of measures of attention linked with academic psychic and/or behavioural management techniques; performance. The research examines everyday nature therapeutic use of the sexual attraction (including in school grounds with a non-clinical sample (c.f. therapeutic self-disclosure); guidance-seeking; Positive Psychology) and indicates children’s privileging the sexual attraction; and discontinuation environments could be designed to include vegetation of . Implementation of these strategies sources like trees and shrubs that facilitate the

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 is theorised to result in one of the following: restoration of attention, and in turn, support their cessation of psychotherapy; successfully managed academic performance. sexual attraction; or incompletely or unsuccessfully managed sexual attraction, the last of which would Word-length effects in backward serial recall and require further attempts at handling it. Implications the remember/know task for psychotherapists, supervisors, educators, and BAKER, R., & TEHAN, G. (University of Southern future research are discussed. Queensland) [email protected] his study tested an item-order explanation of Tword-length effects in backward serial recall and recognition. It examined (a) whether the superior recall for short words expected for order-based tasks, and consistently found in forward serial recall, would apply also to backward serial recall; (b) whether the

112 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

superior recall for long words expected for item-based qualities and relations through psychotherapy is one tasks would apply to recognition; and (c) whether prospective focus of considerable interest. there was evidence for qualitative differences in processing between long and short words. Twenty Impact of Better Access on Better Outcomes and adults performed backward serial recall and practical strategies for psychologists navigating recognition tasks based on five-word lists of short and the two programs long words. They then completed a remember/know BASSILIOS, B., FLETCHER, J., BLASHKI, G., & task requiring them to classify each recognised word PIRKIS, J. (University of Melbourne) as being consciously recollected (remember) or as just [email protected] being familiar (know). The results showed that rior to the introduction of Better Access, uptake backward serial recall was better for short words than of the ATAPS projects was substantial (e.g., by for long words, whereas recognition was better for P December 2007, 102,218 consumers had been referred long words than for short words. These opposing to the projects and had received 423,530 sessions of word-length effects were consistent with the item- care). High uptake has been particularly notable in order explanation. The remember/know analysis rural areas. ATAPS projects have found it necessary showed that long words were more likely to be to implement strategies to deal with excess demand. classified as consciously remembered than as just The Better Access program has been welcomed as a familiar, whereas for short words there was no further means of meeting need, and again has difference. This suggested that long words were experienced rapid uptake. In just over twelve encoded with more episodic information than short months, Medicare Australia was billed for 1,530,753 words during initial processing. sessions provided by allied health professionals. A The plural human self under study: Development correlation analysis by location will examine the and early results from the Contextual Selves relationship between the monthly number of sessions Inventory provided through the two programs. The current paper examines whether there has been a reduction in BARRETT-LENNARD, GT. (Murdoch University) demand for services provided through the ATAPS [email protected] projects since the introduction of the Better Access ersonal selves form, evolve and are expressed program and, if so, whether this reduction has been Pwithin relationships that offer different greater in urban areas. It would appear that the two opportunities and requirements for self-being. A programs are providing complementary services and person can develop differing configurations of self, as are working in tandem to address a previously unmet in relations with parents, siblings, school-mates, an need for mental health care. Based on evaluations of intimate partner, with an opponent, and in a group these programs, practical strategies to assist context. To study this diversity, a Contextual Selves independently practicing psychologists navigating the

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Inventory (CSI) was devised, which taps the self as two programs and exchange of information with GPs experienced in nominated key relationships. Self- will be proposed. descriptive statements are rated on a 7-point scale from ‘No, not like me at all’ to ‘Yes, very (or always) Evaluation of the Better Outcomes in Mental like me’. Preliminary research supports the Health Care program hypothesis of contextual variation in self-perception BASSILIOS, B., FLETCHER, J., PIRKIS, J., & KOHN, and points to more specific patterns in this variation. F. (University of Melbourne) One such pattern is the indication that self-esteem [email protected] varies with the relational context. The results invite he Access to Allied Psychological Services more closely targeted research, including a focus on T(ATAPS) component of the Better Outcomes in how subselves interrelate. A person may be quite Mental Health Care (BOiMH) initiative, introduced aware of their diversity, with self-configurations that in 2001, permits General Practitioners to refer are flexible zones within a dynamic whole. Or, the eligible consumers to allied health professionals subselves may be fixed patterns largely isolated from (mainly psychologists) for six to twelve sessions of each other in awareness. Study of change in subself focussed psychological strategies. Australia-wide, 113 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

over one hundred ATAPS projects are being to institutional strategies for creating intercultural implemented by local Divisions of General Practice. programs on campuses. The important role of The Commonwealth Government has commissioned negative factors in instigating and ameliorating The University of Melbourne’s Centre for Health intergroup attitudes is highlighted. Policy, Programs and Economics to evaluate the ATAPS component of the BOiMHC program. Suicide bereavement standards and Evaluation data sources include a minimum data set, practice surveys, interviews, and forums. This paper will BEATON, S. (Lifeline Australia) report the latest evaluation findings including: [email protected] uptake by GPs, allied health professionals, and consumers; types of care consumers are receiving; urrently across Australia, there exists a diverse comparison of rural and urban projects; and Crange of suicide bereavement support (SBS) consumer outcomes. Over 102,000 consumers have groups providing invaluable support to people been referred for services and over 423,000 sessions experiencing a most tragic loss by providing a have been delivered via ATAPS projects. The connection to others who have shared that majority of consumers have been diagnosed with experience. There are minimal national standards or mood and/or anxiety disorders. Interventions have benchmarks available against which groups may be been cognitive and behavioural, delivered to assessed and guided and few accredited training tools individuals in one-hour sessions, at no or minimal that facilitators may obtain to assist them in running cost to the consumer. Evidence demonstrates that SBS groups. Lifeline Australia has undertaken the the ATAPS projects have achieved improvements in Commonwealth funded Suicide Bereavement consumers’ mental health and have been addressing a Support Group Standards and Practice project in previously unmet need. cooperation with the APS and other collaborative partners. The project will develop clearly defined Intercultural communication barriers, contact standards which will inform the development of both dimensions and attitudes towards international a good practice guide and a suite of training tools to students assist in both the facilitation of individual SBS groups and the training of those who facilitate them. The BATTYE, JM., & MAK, AS. (University of Canberra) APS and Lifeline Australia have a Memorandum of [email protected] Understanding (MOU), which supports collaborative xtending Spencer-Rodgers and McGovern’s work of mutual interest. The APS has representation E(2002) intergroup threat research, this study on this project’s Expert Reference Group and is investigated the role of intercultural communication reviewing the Facilitator Training package for sound (ICE) - negative affect associated with psychological content. The selection of a diverse perceived linguistic and cultural barriers, in range of partners in this project as well as broad

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 conjunction with contact dimensions in measuring consultation has been central to its success. Some domestic students’ attitudes towards international keys to this successful partnership will be discussed students. Participants included 327 Australian and include: 1) Well identified and articulated undergraduate university students (63% female and purpose/objectives; 2) Project objectives congruent 37% male; ranging from 17 to 58 years of age) who with each partner organization’s aims and vision; and anonymously self-reported their social interactions 3) Partners valuing difference and innovation. with and perceptions of international students. Multiple hierarchical regression results indicated that intercultural communication barriers were moderately and uniquely related to unfavourable attitudes toward international students. Contact quality and contact quantity exhibited small positive effects on intergroup evaluations and this relationship was partially mediated by ICE. Theoretical implications are discussed and integrated in reference

114 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Individualism, collectivism and voting behaviour: ASRC provides a broad range of services including A pilot of the study into the 2007 Australian counselling, casework, health, and legal programs. Federal Election The counselling program provides individual counselling and advocacy, a family program, and BECCARIA, GJ., & BACZYNSKI M. (University of Southern Queensland) support for asylum seekers when they attend the [email protected] centre for potentially distressing legal appointments. This paper provides an overview of the conditions of ndividualism and collectivism constructs has been the lives of asylum seekers and discusses the way the Idiscussed in a number of contexts in the social counselling program works with them at all stages of sciences (Triandis, 1998), including social systems, the refugee determination process. morality and cultural patterns (Triandis, 1990). To date much for the research has focused on cultural and the world of children differences in the individualism-collectivism BERNARD ME. (University of Melbourne) construct; and the application of these constructs to [email protected] political ideology and voting intentions is scarce. It is arguable that more centre-right parties (e.g. Liberal- espite Albert Ellis’ extensive contributions to National) are more likely to endorse individualism Dthe cognitive-behavioural treatment of than centre-left parties (Labour or Greens), whereas childhood disorders, he always expressed the view this trend may be reversed for collectivism. An exit that his more important contributions to the mental poll was conducted at a provisional city polling health of children could be found in the applications booth in the November 2007 Federal Election. Fifty of rational-emotive (REBT) in respondents were given a questionnaire about voting schools in the form of teaching children how to deal behaviour. They were also given a modified 20-item with difficult circumstances and people and to version of the Individualism-Collectivism Scale (ICS). manage their own emotions through the use of The modified ICS had fair to adequate internal rational beliefs and thinking. Ellis firmly believed consistencies for Collectivism (α=.60) and that young children can be taught to distinguish Individualism (α= .77). A one-way ANOVA found rational from irrational aspects of their thinking and people who voted Liberal-National endorsed to re-structure their thinking so that as much as Individualism significantly higher than people who possible it is consistent with reality and logic. voted Labour or the Greens. There were no However, he was even more convinced of the differences between Labour and Greens voters. importance of teaching children of all ages about the Voting behaviour did not provide any differences in harmful and self-defeating aspects of irrational beliefs the Collectivism scale. (self-deprecation, low frustration tolerance, lack of acceptance of others) providing them with a variety Counselling asylum seekers: A service delivery and of what he called psycho-educational learning

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 advocacy program in a humanitarian context experiences that would result in children acquiring self-acceptance, high frustration tolerance and other- BECKWITH, J. (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) [email protected] acceptance. This presentation will illustrate some basic ways that teachers (and parents) can teach sylum seekers arrive in Australia from children to think, feel and behave rationally as well as Abackgrounds of war, torture and trauma, and are illuminate some of Ellis’ distinctive understandings of then placed in immigration detention centres or given childhood development. bridging visas until the complex, and often protracted, process of deciding their refugee status is completed. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), currently located in West Melbourne, was established in June 2001 as a response to the lack of services available to asylum seekers, particularly those who have no rights to work and no entitlements to Medicare, Centrelink, or community services. The

115 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

The effect of You Can Do It! Education on the student SEWB across age. The aspects of students’ emotional resilience of elementary school students homes, school, communities and social-emotional with social, emotional, behavioural and strengths that contribute most to high levels of achievement challenges SEWB will be highlighted. Implications for treatment of students with different levels of SEWB will be BERNARD, ME. (The University of Melbourne) [email protected] discussed. Based on this data, recommendations will be offered concerning the promotion of positive his study examined the effect of the You Can Do social and emotional well-being of all students. TIt! Education (YCDI) cognitive-behavioural intervention program on the emotional resilience of Climate change and the promotion of mental students in grades 4 to 6 who were identified with health and wellbeing achievement, behavioural, social and/or emotional BLASHKI, G. (University of Melbourne)*, BURKE, S. challenges. Sixty one students were randomly (Australian Psychological Society), FRITZE, J. (Centre assigned to either small groups receiving an eight for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community week YCDI cognitive-behavioural intervention or Wellbeing), & WISEMAN , J.* small groups receiving “eclectic” counselling other [email protected] than cognitive-behavioural. Results indicated a orldwide the burden of disease of mental positive impact of the YCDI program on the Willness and mental health has long been resilience items contained in the ACER Social and recognised. There is also increasing understanding of Emotional Well-Being Surveys (student self-report; the importance of addressing the social, economic teacher survey) with no positive impact found for and environmental determinants which promote the students receiving “eclectic” counselling. Students mental health of individuals, communities and receiving YCDI showed improvements on the societies. As evidence about the reality and the Walker-McConnell Classroom Adjustment consequences of climate change has expanded, a Behaviours and Peer Preferred Behavior sub-scales. growing body of evidence has also emerged about the Recommendations for future research are included. health effects of climate change. In this article our aim is to focus particularly on the implications of The social and emotional well-being of Australian climate change for mental health. In addition to children and adolescents: The discovery of noting evidence about the direct mental health “Levels” consequences of climate change our aim is to trigger a BERNARD, ME. (The University of Melbourne) broader debate about the link between the social and [email protected] economic impacts of climate change and the ata will be reported on the social and emotional promotion of mental health and wellbeing. We Dwell-being of 11,526 students (prep to Year 12) conclude with some thoughts about implications of these reflections for future policy, practice research in Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 who completed the ACER Social-Emotional Well- Being Surveys (SEWB) as well as 6,860 of their the fields of mental health and mental health teachers. Employing Rasch measurement, a promotion. continuum of student SEWB emerged that included Leadership in a global economy - how can six distinct levels. Students with higher levels of Australian leaders be developed to compete? SEWB increasingly display social and emotional skills and values associated with resilience, positive social BLOCH, B. (Rio Tinto) orientation and positive work orientation. They also [email protected] increasingly perceive higher levels of positive his presentation’s objectives include exploring interactions with adults, peers and youth-oriented Tthe challenges Australian leaders face and will programs in their homes, schools and community. face in competing internationally and why; Different findings will be presented concerning the understanding how Australian leaders can develop incidence of social and emotional difficulties (anger, themselves to respond to these challenges; and anxiety, depression, under-achievement, bullying), considering practical ways psychologists can provide gender differences, SES differences and changes in service and support in the development of these 116 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

leaders. The presentation will focus on the challenges Personality and P plater risks facing Australian leaders as the global economy BORG, K. (Monash University) increasingly confronts Australian organisations’ [email protected] ability to compete and succeed. After a brief discussion of the drivers for this increased need to oung adults represent a disproportionate compete globally, the focus will be on what mindset Ypercentage of road-related accidents in Victoria. and competencies Australian leaders will need to be This is a result of various factors, such as experience, able to compete and how they can develop these. The gender, cultural influence, peer support/pressure, and workshop will explore what is practical versus ideal, personality. The general aims of this study are to using examples from the presenter’s experience, and explore the relationship between driver behaviour in how psychologists can successfully support the young adults ( on, but not restricted to ‘P development of Australian leaders. platers’), and Goldberg’s Five Factor Model of personality. This study will involve the Relationships between working memory and administration of a questionnaire to participants reading comprehension in primary school children (aged 18-24), which includes the 50-item International using self-paced and computer-paced working Personality Item Pool to determine a participant’s memory measures strengths and weaknesses in the five personality areas. BOGDANOVS, J., FLETCHER, J., & BAYLISS, D. The questionnaire also identifies certain ‘risky’ (University of Western Australia) driving behaviours and experiences – such as [email protected] speeding, drink driving, and involvement in collisions. This paper will provide an overview of ffective reading requires a person to remember the previous literature in this area, as well as discuss Ethe individual words of a sentence while the findings from this study in regard to the retrieving their meanings from long-term memory relationship between driver behaviour and and creating a meaningful whole. Consequently, a personality factors. link between working memory and reading has been established. However, research suggests that the Psychologists' cognitive and emotional responses nature of the working memory tasks used to working with Borderline Personality Disorder significantly influences their predictive power clients (Lépine, Barrouillet, & Camos, 2005). In this study, working memory performance was measured using BOURKE, ME., & GRENYER, BFS. (University of Wollongong) both computer-paced and self-paced tasks and the [email protected] relationship between these measures and reading comprehension was examined. Eighty eight children orderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is (44 in Year 2; 44 in Year 4) participated in a range of Bcommonly recognised throughout theoretical

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 reading and working memory tasks. Results showed and clinical accounts as one of the most challenging that in Year 2, the self-paced tasks were better mental health disorders to treat, however, there has predictors of reading comprehension than computer- been limited empirical investigation into paced tasks, and accounted for significant variance in characteristic psychologist’s reactions evoked by this reading comprehension above phonological diagnostic group. The aim of this study was to awareness and single word reading. In Year 4, the investigate cognitive and emotional responses of computer-paced tasks were better predictors, psychologists treating BPD. Psychologists currently accounting for significant variance in reading working with BPD clients gave informed consent to comprehension above the other literacy measures. be interviewed regarding their responses to this client These results raise questions as to which working group. In addition, the Impact Message Inventory memory tasks are the most appropriate for predicting (IMI-C) and the Psychotherapy Relationship reading performance. Questionnaire (PRQ) were completed. Transcripts from a semi-structured interview of psychologist's counter experiences were coded and scored to reflect core ideas and responses that were

117 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

consistent across cases, whilst allowing for and the research enterprise: Moving variation. Major themes that emerged included beyond the enduring hegemony of positivism significant psychologist anxiety and worry both BREEN, LJ. (Edith Cowan University), & before and after sessions, and confusion and DARLASTON-JONES, D. (University of Notre Dame, frustration within the session in relation to Australia) implementing specific therapeutic tasks and skills. [email protected] Self-report measures supported the transactional patterns found within the client-therapist dyad. The lmost since its inception, psychology has results from this study increase the current Aembraced the positivist orientation of the knowledge of common themes, origins and natural sciences. The research enterprise in manifestations of counter transference reactions in psychology has reinforced this through its insistence the treatment of BPD, aiding psychologists to that psychological science is objective, generalisable, incorporate this clinically important information and value free (or neutral). Consequently, into the treatment process. experimental designs are privileged over other forms of enquiry and alternate epistemologies, Meeting the rational and irrational selves: methodologies, and methods remain marginalised Defining the essential role of accurate language in within the discipline. We argue that alternate therapy methodologies, and the philosophies that underpin the research endeavour, should be included in BRABIN, PJ. (Monash University) mainstream psychology programmes so that the [email protected] existing imbalance is rectified. Achieving this balance hile has derived schemas will mean that psychology will be better positioned Wthat are purported to underlie cognitive to address applied research problems and students processing, Albert Ellis in REBT was always clear will graduate with the skills and knowledge that they about his view that acceptance of ‘self’, ‘other’ and will need in the multidisciplinary workforce they ‘the world’ was the core of rational cognitive will enter. We discuss recommendations for how processing and, thus, healthy emotional reactions. psychology in Australia can move towards embracing Influenced by the work (1950), Ellis methodological and epistemological pluralism. describes the dynamics of the core irrational versus the rational selves – the former striving to ‘prove’ its Executive function and social skills in preschool value of self, the latter simply ‘accepting’ its value of children with high functioning autism self and focussing on enjoying and managing life BRENK, F., HAMMOND, S. (Australian Catholic experiences. Drawn from this concept a model is University), DISSANAYAKE, C., KHOO, JV., & presented which delineates the processes stemming KELLY, R. (LaTrobe University) from these opposing core self constructs – described [email protected] Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 as the NOT-OK and OK selves – and highlights the he Executive Dysfunction Hypothesis is importance of accurate language in the therapeutic Tpredominant among the theories proposed to context. This model depicts the destructive influence account for the social skill impairments of children of the ‘self-esteem’ movement over the last 35 years with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Empirical with its promotion of language which has evolved studies are needed to examine possible associations around the concept of ‘self’. This language has between the frequently reported deficits in executive reinforced the NOT-OK self, evaluated through the function and social skill in children with High Theory of Opposites. Examples of common Functioning Autism (HFA). Participants in this problematic language use are provided, such as the study were 81 parents of typically developing notion of ‘feeling bad about ourselves’ - global preschool children and 14 parents of preschool evaluations which demonstrate evidence that slippage children with HFA. Parents completed the Early in the use of terms is the enemy of truth. Childhood Questionnaire (ECQ) as a measure of developmental status and social functioning and the preschool version of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-P). Children were 118 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

matched by mental age and gender. When compared Oxytocin as a mediator of the unique with the typically developing preschool child, interoceptive effects of 3,4- preschool children with HFA had significantly methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, higher scores on the ECQ Social Withdrawal and “ecstasy”) in the rat Social Skills Deficits scales. Preschool children with BROADBEAR, J. & BERINGER, K. (Monash HFA also had significantly higher BRIEF-P ratings University) on each of the five scales. For the preschool children [email protected] with HFA, global Social Skill was negatively correlated with BRIEF Global Composite scores. DMA (‘Ecstasy’) use results in distinctive Preschool children with HFA display marked Mmood changes, most likely due to its differences in their social skill development compared enhancement of serotonin (5HT) release. Activation to typically developing preschoolers that are of 5HT-1A postsynaptic receptors stimulates the associated with executive dysfunction. release of oxytocin in the central nervous system, where it regulates mood. Using a drug discrimination Dispositional rumination and depressed mood paradigm, we examined how alterations in oxytocin levels affect conditioned behavioural responses. BRINKER, JK. (The Australian National University), & DOZOIS, DJA. (The University of Western Ontario) Male and female Sprague Dawley rats (N=24) were [email protected] trained to respond to MDMA and a related stimulant, amphetamine (AMP), and saline using a three lever he relationship between rumination and drug discrimination paradigm. In the first study, the Tdepressed mood is well supported in the extent to which operant responding generalized to literature. Recently, however, the way in which the training drugs following administration of rumination is currently defined and measured (The carbetocin (an oxytocin analogue) or atosiban Response Style Questionnaire; RSQ) have been (oxytocin receptor antagonist) or combinations of criticised for being biased towards depressed mood these drugs was evaluated. The results supported the and its symptoms. This paper describes the initial hypotheses that the addition of an oxytocin analogue investigation of The Dispositional Rumination Scale (carbetocin) would partially substitute and enhance (DRS). This scale was designed to measure a general the MDMA-like effects of the training drugs, whereas tendency towards a ruminative style of the thinking blocking oxytocin receptors with atosiban resulted in regardless of content or valence. Mood, rumination some disruption to MDMA-appropriate responding. and stressful events were assessed in a sample of It was concluded that oxytocin receptor activation is undergraduate students over a 3-week period. The involved in MDMA-specific interoceptive cues, and DRS was able to predict future depressed mood that this is one of the features of MDMA that beyond baseline mood, whereas the RSQ was not. distinguishes it subjectively from AMP. (This work Further, the DRS was able to predict future depressed was supported by Clive and Vera Ramaciotti

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 mood after both stress and baseline mood were Establishment; atosiban was given by Ferring controlled for whereas the RSQ did not. Because the Pharmaceuticals). RSQ may be tapping depressive symptoms, it may share much of the variance accounted for by baseline Contextual Modular Therapy (CMT): Brief mood. The DRS is not limited in this way and thus psychotherapy for women with breast cancer may be better able to examine the role of ruminative BROWN, C., PAPADIMITRIOU, F., & BEVAN, K. thought in depressed mood as well as other disorders. (The Cairnmillar Institute) Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. [email protected] reast cancer affects women at all levels of their Blife: Emotionally, spiritually and relationally and such an existential trauma requires women to confront, review and potentially refocus their lives. Psychotherapy can help women with breast cancer to cope better with the emotional difficulties associated

119 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

with the disease. This paper describes a brief The impact of belief systems on approval towards integrated psychotherapy of a woman approaching heterosexual and lesbian couples accessing assisted the first anniversary of her breast cancer diagnosis. reproductive technology (ART) The therapy focussed on uncovering her underlying BROWN, PM., COALDRAKE, J., FOWLER, R., & anxieties and fears, engaging in an exploration of STEELE, C. (University of Canberra) their origins, and contextualising her past, present [email protected] and future relationships. Contextual Modular Therapy (CMT) (Macnab, 1991) proved robust for he current study examined levels of approval this client who had a premorbid history of anxiety. Ttowards heterosexual and lesbian couples The treatment outcome resulted in the woman re- accessing assisted reproductive technology (ART), establishing a sense of control, changing her and the impact that beliefs systems, such as religion, perceptions of herself and others, and considering religious attributions and just world beliefs, have how she might now live given her breast cancer upon such attitudes. Undergraduate psychology treatment. students (N =324) completed measures assessing demographics, religious affiliation, religiosity, God Commonalities in risk factors for problem locus of health control and beliefs in a just world (self gambling and internet dependence and others) as well as ratings of approval for the use of ART by both heterosexual and lesbian couples. BROWN, M. (Monash University), & DOWLING, N. (The University of Melbourne) Results showed that approval was higher for [email protected] heterosexual versus lesbian couple access. No effect was found for religious affiliation regarding levels of espite mounting interest in the concept of approval for use by heterosexuals; however, D“internet dependence”, there has been much Christians (as opposed to catholic or no religion) had debate among researchers regarding the appropriate the lowest levels of approval towards use by lesbians. theoretical conceptualization and definition for Multiple regression analyses revealed that religiosity problems related to excessive Internet use. The most (but not religious affiliation) and God locus of health commonly applied conceptual approach has been to control were the strongest (negative) predictors of define excessive Internet use as a behavioural approval towards heterosexual use; whereas being addiction, similar to pathological or problem male, Christian, high in religiosity and low in belief gambling. This perspective views excessive Internet in a just world (self) were predictive of negative use as an impulse control disorder that does not attitudes towards use by lesbians. Results suggest that involve an intoxicant but which shares characteristics religiosity and religious attributions may be more of substance dependence. Moreover, although important in explaining attitudes to ART than Internet addiction or dependence has not yet been religious affiliation per se. included as a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Statistical Manual (DSM) nosological system, Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) researchers have modelled proposed criteria on the addiction: Dependence, but not as we know it? DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. In order BRUNO, R., MATTHEWS, A. (University of to contribute to the understanding of internet Tasmania)*, DEGENHARDT, L. (University of New dependence as a disorder resembling problem South Wales), & GOMEZ, R.* gambling, the current study aimed to examine the [email protected] degree to which risk factors empirically identified for problem gambling are relevant to the study of he prevalence of ‘ecstasy’ (3,4- internet dependence. Risk factors such as depression, Tmethylenedioxymethamphetamine) use in the Australian adult population has more than doubled anxiety, stressors, and social support were examined in a sample of university students from a number of in the past decade. While common, use is typically infrequent, and there remains some controversy as to Victorian universities. The implications of the findings in relation to the conceptualization and whether a true dependence syndrome exists in management of these disorders are discussed. relation to ecstasy: with few presenting to treatment, scant case reports of dependence, and animal studies suggesting the absence of physical signs of 120 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

dependence associated with the drug. Despite this, for all participants, though only one was found to be dependence on ecstasy can be diagnosed within both significant. The findings for the relationship between hallucinogen and amphetamine dependence categories mood and sleep length were less consistent. These according to DSM-IV-TR. We aimed to examine the findings are discussed in the context of how they characteristics of dependence in relation to use of might relate to the onset and maintenance of clinical ecstasy using the Severity of Dependence Scale and mood episodes. the Composite International Diagnostic Interview among two large cohorts of frequent (at least What makes a happy cop? Longitudinal predictors monthly) ecstasy consumers recruited in the Ecstasy of police officer well-being and Related Drug Reporting System. Findings suggest BURKE, KJ. (Central Queensland University), PATON, that the internal structures of these scales are less D. (University of Tasmania), & SHAKESPEARE- homogeneous in relation to use of ecstasy than for FINCH, J. (Queensland University of Technology) other drugs; however they retain some validity, as [email protected] high symptom scores were related to behaviours here is a predominant belief within both reflective of dependence, such as higher usage levels, Tscientific and lay populations that policing is a engagement in risk behaviours and the experience of stressful occupation, by virtue of officers’ exposure to problems. These results are discussed in reference to stressful and traumatic events. However, much of the applicability of the concept of dependence to the research conducted with police personnel fails to ecstasy use. consider the role of the organisation in facilitating and maintaining employee well-being. Furthermore, Circadian rest/activity rhythms as predictors of mood in a small sample of outpatients with it is now widely argued that individual factors (e.g. personality) have a differential impact on responses to bipolar disorder stressful and traumatising events. This paper presents BULLOCK, B., & MURRAY, GW. (Swinburne data from a multi-method longitudinal study of University of Technology), VAN SOMEREN, E.J.W. police officer well-being. Officers were approached (VU University Medical Centre), JUDD, F. (University as recruits, and followed into their second year of of Melbourne) [email protected] operations. Changes in stress and satisfaction were charted using a quantitative methodology, and the ircadian rhythm disturbance has been shown to implications of prior traumatic experience/s, Cplay a key role in the pathogenesis of bipolar personality and coping in response to occupational disorder. While the evidence in favour of a role for experiences are discussed. Qualitative studies circadian rhythm dysregulation in bipolar disorder is explored changes in officers’ perceptions of their role increasingly prominent in the relevant literature, the within the organisation, and found satisfaction is mechanism of rhythm disturbance is currently open determined, to a large extent, by effective to debate. The aim of the current study was to Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 socialisation into the police organisational culture. investigate attenuation of the circadian rhythm as the Overall results suggest that prior trauma may actually means by which the circadian clock is disturbed in facilitate officer resilience to later work-trauma, and affected populations. Six euthymic bipolar that the police organisation plays a pivotal role in outpatients self-monitored their sleeping patterns, 24- determining the well-being of officers. The project hour rest/activity (circadian) rhythms, and moods for provides important insights into the dynamics of between 63 and 177 consecutive days using individual adjustment in the police profession. Chronorecord and wrist actigraphy. It was expected that attenuation of the rest/activity rhythm amplitude and longer time spent in bed would be associated with lower mood ratings in the outpatient sample. Concomitant time series analysis using the Box-Jenkins ARIMA methodology revealed predicted (positive) associations at the synchronous lag between mood and the amplitude of the rest/activity rhythm

121 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

The relationships between learning approaches, reported often/always providing PA counselling. personality, and academic success: School leavers Qualitative data indicated that psychologists were versus nonschool leavers more likely to do PA counselling when they had a personal interest in PA or experience in the BURTON, LJ., & ROPOLO, L. (University of Southern Queensland) health/fitness industry, and with clients with [email protected] stress/depression/anxiety. Most respondents were confident to recommend PA (86%), give general he aim of this study was to examine the advice (83%), discuss options (80%), set goals (73%), Trelationships between approaches to learning, and identify and problem-solve barriers (80%). Fewer personality, and academic success in a sample of 177 respondents were confident to tailor PA counselling first-year psychology students. Most of the students (32%), and a lack of resources and relevant knowledge (N = 144; 81.4%) were first-year tertiary students was identified as a barrier. Multivariable linear (school leavers); 33 students (18.6%) had more than regression analyses indicated that psychologists one-year tertiary experience (nonschool leaver). The providing PA counselling were more likely than students were enrolled either on-campus or via those who did not (p<0.05) to exercise regularly, distance education at the University of Southern counsel mid-aged adults, practise solution-focused Queensland and completed an online survey for therapy, be confident in providing general PA course credit. Academic achievement was measured as counselling, think PA counselling by psychologists grade point average (GPA). This paper will report the was appropriate and acceptable, and believe that PA relationships among the key variables. Univariate could be beneficial in managing complex conditions. analyses of variance showed that nonschool leavers This study indicates that psychologists can have a obtained higher GPAs and scored higher on the Deep role in promoting PA as part of psychological and Strategic learning approaches than did school treatment. leavers. Conversely, school leavers scored higher on the Surface approach to learning. A regression Wellbeing in long-term primary carers: analysis showed that the Strategic approach predicted Biopsychosocial outcomes GPA. None of the five personality traits were related BUSCHKENS, J., GRAHAM, D., & COTTRELL, D. to academic achievement. However, Intellect and (James Cook University) Conscientiousness were each found to predict the [email protected] Deep approach to learning; Conscientiousness was found to predict the Strategic approach to learning; arers are vital to sustaining the independence and Emotional Stability and Intellect were each Cand optimal functioning of some of the most found to predict the Surface approach to learning. vulnerable members of the Australian community, The implications of these findings are discussed. yet carers themselves are at risk of poor psychological health outcomes as well as premature morbidity and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Psychologists' attitudes about providing physical mortality. Indeed, carers often subjugate their own activity advice and counselling as part of needs in order to fulfil their caring role. This study psychological treatment examined the correlates of wellbeing in primary carers. The consequences of providing extended BURTON, NW., PAKENHAM, KI., & BROWN, WJ. (University of Queensland) informal care were investigated using a mixed [email protected] methodology, including questionnaires, saliva sampling and individual interviews. Reported stress, egular physical activity (PA) can provide distress, wellbeing and coping in 30 carers and 30 age Rpsychological benefits. This study assessed and gender matched non-carers, were compared with psychologists' attitudes about providing PA their biological correlates including sleep and stress advice/counselling. A questionnaire was mailed to hormones. The quantitative and qualitative findings 620 psychologists to assess current practices, are used to explore physiological and psychological confidence, acceptability and perceived effectiveness bases of carer wellbeing. This research has the of PA counselling. From 236 respondents, 52% potential to inform policy on the growing population reported often/always recommending PA, and 12%

122 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

of Australian carers and to add to the developing honesty. Eight vignettes were constructed in which wellbeing literature. an adult committed an antisocial act or engaged in a prosocial one and asked the child not to reveal the Children’s reporting of a witnessed adult activity, with or without a promise (secrecy promise). transgression: Implications for child sexual abuse Later, the child was asked to tell the truth about the disclosures secret, with or without a promise (truth promise). BUSSEY, K. (Macquarie University) There were 96 predominantly Caucasian participants [email protected] (5, 8, & 11 years). Results revealed that children believed that truth promises were more likely to lthough controversial, there is increasing elicit truth telling about an antisocial than a prosocial Aevidence that children frequently do not report activity. However, they believed that secrecy sexual abuse when it occurs. This reluctance and promises were more likely to promote secret keeping delay in reporting often casts doubt on the veracity of about a prosocial than an antisocial activity. Different their allegations. Therefore, it is crucial that children sociocognitive factors mediated keeping secrecy and report abuse soon after it occurs. Not only does early truth promises depending on whether the activities disclosure facilitate criminal proceedings relating to were antisocial or prosocial. The influence of context the abuse but it also stops the abuse and enables the on trustworthiness is discussed. child to receive therapeutic intervention to deal with it. To investigate factors that promote and impede Adolescent peer aggression: Gender-linked children’s disclosures an analogue study was sociocognitive processes conducted in which children witnessed a staged event involving an adult committing a minor transgression. BUSSEY, K., CHAM, S., & HAWKINS, AJ. (Macquarie University) Participants were 64 predominantly Caucasian boys [email protected] and girls from two age groups (4 and 8 years). Eleven of the 64 children disclosed the transgression. significant amount of research attests to sex Disclosure did not vary by gender or age. Logistic Adifferences in aggressive behaviour. It has been regression analyses revealed that the strongest shown that from an early age boys are more predictor of children not disclosing the transgression aggressive than girls. Most of this research, however, was their belief in the need to comply with the has focussed on children’s physical aggression. More transgressor’s request to keep the transgression secret. recently, there has been attention to other forms of The most frequent reason provided by children who aggression, particularly relational aggression. did disclose the transgression was that the activity Relational aggression involves indirect forms of was wrong. These findings highlight the need to aggression aimed at disrupting relationships and teach children that they should not always comply includes behaviours such as spreading rumours and with an adults request to keep a secret. social exclusion. This form of aggression is favoured

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 by girls, however, boys also engage in it. These Situational influences on children’s findings have led to a re-examination of the generally trustworthiness: The role of promises held belief that males are more aggressive than females. This research examined the extent to which BUSSEY, K. (Macquarie University) [email protected] the same sociocognitive processes are involved in the different types of aggression (physical, relational, he ability to keep promises is often considered verbal) and whether these processes are moderated by Tthe hallmark of trustworthiness and honesty. gender. Participants were 737 boys and girls, However, promises are made in diverse contexts for a predominately Caucasian, from Grades 7 and 9. As variety of reasons. The legal system requires that expected, the relationship between the sociocognitive children promise to tell the truth about witnessed or measures and aggressive conduct varied depending on experienced events and peers ask friends to promise aggression type and gender of the aggressor. The role to keep secrets usually about everyday events. of sociocognitive processes in the maintenance of sex Promises can serve both to inhibit (promise to keep a differentiated aggressive behaviour is discussed. secret) and to promote (promise to tell the truth)

123 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Social comparison processes, prototypes and physical health is mostly explained by the higher exercise levels of obesity in Indigenous persons compared to non-Indigenous individuals. A healthy diet and low CALTABIANO, M., & GHAFARI, N. (James Cook University) alcohol consumption are more likely in persons who [email protected] are part of a supportive kin network. This project provides a greater understanding of the role of his research examined direct and mediating attachments and dietary deficiencies in the well- Tinfluences of social comparisons, perceptions of documented problem of aboriginal non-illness active/inactive prototypes, and perceived control on mortality. The findings have implications for health exercise behaviour. One hundred and forty care workers in rural and remote aboriginal respondents reported on weekly exercise, perceived communities, and can inform primary care control, perceived personal risk resulting from in- interventions to help stem non-illness mortality. activity, preferred level of social comparison, as well as psychological distancing from, and favourability of Internet self-help for depression: Preliminary active and in-active prototypes. Results indicated that findings informing best-practice those who made upward comparisons with others CAMPBELL, AJ., & ELLIS, L. (UNIVERSITY OF who are better at maintaining physical activity (a) SYDNEY) were more psychologically distanced from inactive [email protected] prototypes (b = .46) and (b) had greater perceptions nternet communication has been found to have of control over their ability to exercise (b = .43). potential application to the development of Both psychological distancing from an inactive I interventions targeting mild to moderate levels of prototype and perceived control mediated the effect depression. It has already been shown to facilitate of preferred level of social comparison on exercise. coping behaviour among young adults with The three variable model (social comparison, depression; as an ongoing preventative measure for psychological distancing and perceived control) chronic low level depression; and as a tool that may explained 41% of the variance in exercise behaviour. be used for group support for depression sufferers Importantly, upward comparisons in assessing that are comorbid with social fearfulness. physical activity were made by those who were more Independently, individual online self-help tools for physically active. The findings can advise on how depression, such as online information (known as, comparison targets may be implemented in health ‘psycho-education’), group forum support, or promotion programs aimed at motivating consumer-only use of CBT modules such as populations to be more active. MoodGYM, have demonstrated some support and Attachment styles and health-related behaviours as treatment for depression sufferers. Given this, the contributors to non-illness mortality current study investigated the following questions: 1.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Which individual tool for online self-help for low and CALTABIANO, NJ., & CALTABIANO, ML. (James moderate depression is the most effective? 2. What Cook University) combinations, if any, of online self-help tools for [email protected] depression are most efficacious in treating low and his qualitative study investigates a much moderate levels of depression? 3. How effective are Tneglected area of non-illness mortality in an these tools in comparison, and in conjunction with, Indigenous community by focusing on attachment traditional CBT counselling? This funded study is styles and health-related behaviours. The study uses a still underway, therefore only preliminary results semi-structured format to explore the relationships will be presented and discussed in relation to how a between attachment styles, health-related behaviours best-practice model can be developed for individual such as diet and drinking, and risk for non-illness use of self-help depression tools online as well as with mortality. The focus group of informants consists of combined treatment intervention (i.e. traditional a rural sample of indigenous persons residing in Far CBT counselling + online self-help tools). North Queensland who have already lost a family member to suicide. The impact of nutrition on

124 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Our motivations are important too! A qualitative on the social- and survival-related value it confers will analysis of masters squash players in Australia be discussed.

CAMPBELL, H., GROSS, J., & DODD, J. (University Learning to use a computer spreadsheet of Canberra) application: The effectiveness of error [email protected] management and counterfactual thinking training his study examined the presence of motivational strategies Tfactors for 73 mature-age squash players in CAPUTI, P., CHAN, AYC., DE BLASIO, F., Australia. Comparisons between gender, three BAUDINETTE, K, & WOLSTENCROFT, K. distinct age groups, and three levels of ability were (University of Wollongong) made which measured aspects of motivation, [email protected] competitiveness, goal, win and temperament. Each subject took part in an in-depth, personal interview his study compares the effectiveness of two which was semi-structured to allow for exploration of Tdifferent approaches – error management areas of interest and elaboration of responses. training (EMT) and counterfactual thinking (CFT) – Qualitative analysis of results via the Leximancer as training strategies with novice learners gaining program revealed that differences in responses basic competence in using a computer spreadsheet between mature-age squash players according to age, application. EMT is an approach that encourages gender and ability level were not considered to be learning through exploration and making errors, different. Therefore, the motivations, and aspects of whereas CFT encourages adaptive behaviour through competitiveness, goal, win and temperament to “what if” and “if only” thoughts to reflect on how participate in Masters squash were similar for one may behave differently to yield a more desirable participants regardless of their age, ability and gender. outcome. The significance of this study is that it Masters squash competitions appear beneficial by brings together two approaches for improving providing mature-age individuals with the adaptive behaviour that have not been jointly opportunity to continue to play their chosen sport at examined previously. The implications of findings for a competitive level into later life, to maintain valued instructional design in information systems training social contacts and enhance their enjoyment of the in educational settings and in industry are discussed. game, which are consistent with the participants’ A qualitative study of young adults’ accounts of individual temperament and aspirations. They also parental divorce during childhood and adolescence allow for personal satisfaction, achievement and continued health and psychological benefits. CARTWRIGHT, C. (University of Auckland) [email protected] Interhemispheric asymmetries in the processing of his paper presents the results of analyses of data biological motion cues Tfrom life story interviews with 40 young adults Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 CAPARARO, A., BROOKS, A., & VAN DER ZWAN, who experienced parental divorce during childhood R. (Southern Cross University) or adolescence. It examines the participants’ [email protected] perceptions of the impact of the divorce upon ehavioural correlates of hemispheric processing themselves and their lives. It also presents the results Basymmetries have been demonstrated in a limited of an intensive analysis of seven of the accounts with array of perceptual processing tasks. Here we tested emphasis on the ways in which the participants make for the existence of such asymmetries in the sense of the end of their parents’ marriage. Five of processing of visually-defined biological motion the forty participants believed that the divorce had a (BM). Our data suggest that BM processing is positive effect on them. The remainder believed it mediated by hemispheric specialisations manifesting had detrimental effects although many thought that at the behavioural level. Such specialisations were they developed strengths as a result of the evident both in free viewing and controlled eye- experiences. In the second analysis, participants often movement conditions. The consistency of those considered their mothers’ and fathers’ stories of the findings with accounts of BM sensitivity that focus divorce as part of developing their own stories. In doing so, they judged who was responsible for the 125 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

divorce and developed a personal theory of how it theory of mind tasks. The children’s version of this happened. Their stories also demonstrated a balance test was originally normed on a British sample. An between struggling with the difficulties and the Australian normative study found that mean scores development of personal capabilities or strengths. did not significantly differ across populations. The present study found that mean scores for group- All norms are not created equal: Differences in administered tests were equivalent to individually sustained attention in urban and regional administered data in a general Australian population Australian children – the Melbourne effect of children enrolled in Year 5 in the Northern CASHION, L. (Developmental Assessment, NT) Territory. In addition, mean test scores showed no [email protected] significant differences between Chinese-Australian, Greek-Australian and a general community sample of majority of standardised psychological tests do Year 5 students in the Northern Territory when Anot discriminate between urban and regional administered in group settings. Results suggest group participants in their normative data. While there is testing of the Eyes Test in primary school children is evidence to suggest some cognitive differences a viable method of administration and could between regional and urban children, the findings potentially be used for screening purposes. In have not been consistently replicated. In the current addition, children raised in Australia, regardless of study, 198 Australian children in Years 1, 3, and 5, sub-cultural group, perform at similar levels on this were administered the Score! subtest of the Test of test. Although the children’s version of the Eyes Test Everyday Attention for Children as part of a larger needs further validation as a test of theory of mind, executive function battery. This task is a measure of this study provides initial support for its use with simple sustained attention. Normative data was based Australian children. on a sample of children who resided in Melbourne, Australia. It was hypothesised that results for the Pain sensitivity following induced stress in sample from the current study, which included headache sufferers regional and urban children from New South Wales and Victoria, would concur with the normative data. CATHCART, S. (University of South Australia) [email protected] Despite performance on all other executive function tests being consistent with published norms, the tress may contribute to Chronic Tension-Type sample demonstrated significantly lower scores on SHeadache (CTH) through hyperalgesic effects on the Score! test compared to normative data. A already sensitized pain pathways in CTH sufferers. subsequent analysis found that urban participants This hypothesis could be partially tested by performed significantly better compared to the examining effects of stress on pain sensitivity in CTH regional sample, while no differences were found sufferers. We measured cephalic and extra-cephalic between urban subgroups based on geographical pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in sixteen CTH and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 location. Implications of selecting a normative sample fifteen healthy Control subjects before and after from a restricted geographical area or socio-economic exposure to a fifteen-minute stressful mental task. group are also discussed. PPT at head and hand were lower in the CTH compared to Control group both before and after Advanced theory of mind in Chinese-Australian, task exposure. PPT decreased from pre to post task in Greek-Australian and a general community sample both groups, with a significantly greater pre to post of Australian children task reduction in cephalic PPT in the CTH compared CASHION, L. (Developmental Assessment, NT), & to Control group. Subjective stress increased from KAZAMIAS, C. (Charles Darwin University) pre to post task in both groups and did not differ [email protected] between groups. Our results indicate an enhanced hyperalgesic effect of stress on cephalic pressure-pain he Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was sensitivity in the CTH sufferers compared to the developed as a ‘pure’ test of theory of mind. It T healthy Controls. The results support the hypothesis was designed to remove some of the linguistic and that stress may contribute to CTH through social cognitive features confounding other advanced

126 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

hyperalgesic effects on already sensitized pain closely in 3- and 4-year-old children (N=87). pathways in CTH sufferers. Children participated in two counterfactual inference tasks. One task entailed listening to stories that The role of somatosensory feedback in Attention depicted a causally-related sequence of events and Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Three cases making counterfactual emotional judgements about treated with mindfulness–integrated CBT the experience of the main story characters. The CAYOUN, BA. (University of Tasmania) other task involved viewing a causally-related [email protected] sequence of physical events being acted out and drawing a counterfactual inference about a potential ttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder alternative outcome. Children at each age level were A(ADHD) is a complex developmental disorder randomly assigned to answer test questions that of self-control which involves impairment in required a long, medium, or short counterfactual cognitive flexibility that necessitates the intentional inference. Children’s language ability was also switching of attention from one stimulus to another. assessed. Four-year-olds outperformed 3-year-olds in Mindfulness training is a meditative technique which both tasks, but this age difference was mediated by involves the training of sustained attention, cognitive children’s language ability. More striking was the flexibility and experiential acceptance. Two adults complete absence of difference among causal length and a child with ADHD (aged 64, 39 and 12) conditions in children’s responses in both tasks. Our undertook a 12-week program which integrates daily results support other studies that question the nature mindfulness training sessions and cognitive behaviour of the causal length effect in children’s counterfactual therapy. The first part of treatment required reasoning. We discuss the possibility that children’s participants to sit closed eyes and attend to each developing understanding of temporal versus causal inhalation and exhalation at the entrance of the relationships may account for discrepant findings nostrils and switch attention back to the breath as regarding the causal length effect. soon as focus was lost (e.g., disengaging from a distracting thought). The second part of treatment The effect of counterfactual priming on women’s required participants to scan their body in an effort decisions regarding mammography screening to develop somatosensory awareness and acceptance of all sensations, including agitation. All showed CHAN, AYC., WANG, J., & CAPUTI, P. (University of Wollongong) abnormally poor somatosensory awareness at pre- [email protected] treatment, which improved during training. All showed improvement in mood and self-confidence, he counterfactual priming effect occurs when and decreased agitation. The child also demonstrated T“what if” and “if only” thoughts about one event marked improvement in cooperation with parents. broadens one’s mind-set to consider a more diverse Importantly, there was a distinct correlation between range of evidence and possibilities in a different

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 increased ability to feel body sensations and decreased decision making or problem solving context. This hyperactivity, pointing to a possible impairment in study examined this effect as applied to somatosensory feedback in ADHD. mammography screening decisions. We hypothesized that: (i) counterfactual priming would encourage Preschool children’s counterfactual inferences: The women to seek out information of crucial relevance causal length effect revisited to the decision to start mammography screening at an earlier age (e.g., family history) rather than CHAN, AYC., & SCOTT, J. (University of Wollongong) information that focuses on peripheral considerations [email protected] (e.g., discomfort); and (ii) regardless of the actual decision about commencing screening, esearch into young children’s counterfactual counterfactually-primed individuals would feel more Rthinking is equivocal about how children’s justified about their decision, and would report less counterfactual responses to causal events may be regret should they subsequently receive an early-stage affected by the length of the causal inference breast cancer diagnosis. We tested these hypotheses required. This study examined the causal length effect with undergraduate female students (N=82) using a

127 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

role-playing decision-making task. Participants in the identification skills predict socio- experimental group read a story designed to prime a emotional functioning counterfactual mind-set at the outset of their CIARROCHI, J. & HEAVEN, PCL. (University of participation, whereas participants in a control group Wollongong) did not. The data supported both of our hypotheses. [email protected] Our discussion will focus on a proposed theoretical model that postulates the conceptual links between mongst adults, low emotion identification skill counterfactual priming, information-seeking A(EIS) relates to poor emotion regulation behaviour in the decision-making process, decision strategies, higher rates of anxiety and depression, and justification, and decision-related regret. higher rates of somatic illness and disease. Little research has examined EIS in adolescence and, in Opening the sport psychology consultation: particular, the longitudinal impact of EIS on social Lessons from Giges, Ravizza, and Murphy support and affective experience. Six hundred and sixty-seven high school students completed measures CHRISTENSEN, SA. (University of Southern Queensland) of EIS, social support and positive and negative [email protected] affects in Grade 8, and again in Grade 9. Repeated measure ANOVAS revealed that negative affects n Virtual Sport Psychology: Three Approaches to Sport increased and positive affects decreased from Grades 8 IPsychology Consulting (Brewer, Van Raalte, & to 9. Structural equation modelling revealed that low Petitpas, 2000), three distinguished sport EIS predicted increases in fear, decreases in positive psychologists display how they do sport psychology affect, and decreases in the quality and quantity of with the same athlete-client. In this paper we use social support. Amongst boys, low EIS also predicted conversation analysis to examine the openings to increases in sadness. We discuss the implications of these sport psychology consultations. How these findings for early prevention programmes. professionals open consultations have been found to impact on the trajectory of medical, physiotherapy, From distress to success: Teaching coping skills to psychotherapy, and dietician consultations. So secondary students with few resources openings are important. Conversation analysis allows CLARK, N., EACOTT, C., & FRYDENBERG, E. a rigorous, fine-grained analysis of the properties of (University of Melbourne) interaction. In our conversational analysis we display [email protected] the distinctive configurations that characterise Burt Giges, Ken Ravizza, and Shane Murphy idiosyncratic dolescents with few resources use non- styles. We also display communalities in how these Aproductive coping strategies and are particularly experienced practitioners open their sport vulnerable to stress. Two studies evaluated the psychology consultations. Secondly, we consider how effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural coping skills program with secondary students who have relatively Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 the Australian sport psychology community should use this and other works of exemplary practice. For few resources. Of particular interest were students instance, should exemplary practices be used as a who reported the lowest level of resources according standard to evaluate experienced practitioners, such to scores on the Revised Resources Inventory scale, as those working at State and National Sports students representing the lowest quartile. In Study 1 Institutes? Alternatively, should they be used to assess significant positive correlations were found pre- the competencies of graduating sport psychology program between level of identified resources, and students for satisfactory entry level practice? Or are the Productive and Reference to Others coping they best deployed as a general resource vicariously styles. Significant negative correlations were found guiding beginning students through observation and for Non-Productive coping and distress. Post- modelling? program, low resources students showed a significant increase in use of Reference to Others coping, namely Social Support. In Study 2 results showed a significant increase in the reported use of the Productive coping style and a significant reduction in

128 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Non-Productive coping for the experimental group. is age related. Specifically, younger adolescents are Both studies provide support for coping skills victimised verbally and socially more frequently than training for low resource students. older adolescents. However, regression analyses did not find age a significant predictor of bullying, whilst Minimising the impacts of stress and burn-out aggression levels and quality of school life were through mental health education and support in significant predictors. The findings showed that law enforcement bullies and victims both tend to have high levels of CLEWS, L. (Australian Federal Police) aggression and lower school satisfaction. In contrast, [email protected] tolerance to human diversity and bullying were independent of each other with the implication that olice work is stressful. There is a significant both a tolerant and an anti-bullying stance are Pbody of literature on the effects of chronic stress prosocial in nature. The results will be discussed in the workplace. However, low-grade burnout – that along with their importance for future research. The is, the generalised decrease in the ability to cope with relevance of the findings to anti-bullying the demands of one’s personal and professional life - interventions is also considered. can equally lead to mental health issues. These can include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and Positive thoughts: Are they all helpful? increases in drug and alcohol use, which if not addressed can lead to long term consequences on an COLLARD, JJ. (Deakin University), & O’KELLY, M. (Monash University) individual’s wellbeing. Increasingly police [email protected] organisations are developing and implementing peer support and mental health awareness programs which raditionally, concepts of mental health have held augment the layers of support offered by internal Ta central role for accurate perceptions of reality, psychological services within the workplace. This which is consistent with REBT theory. This has been paper will explore several programs provided by the questioned in recent years with some authors (Taylor Wellbeing Services team within the Australian & Brown, 1988) proposing a Social Psychological Federal Police to unsworn members and new police Model, which suggests that well-being is basically recruits. These programs are designed to educate synonymous with mental health. Furthermore, it is individuals on the need for a greater awareness into claimed that such positive mental health is generally the growing pressures and mental health issues that based upon positive illusions. Such a controversy exist in working in a law enforcement environment. generates a number of questions when considering positive beliefs and emotional experiences, some of The relationship between bullying behaviour, age, which the REBT framework appears well suited to aggression, school climate, and tolerance to human answer. This paper reviews a key aspect of REBT, the diversity distinction between unhealthy and healthy emotions,

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 and the role irrational and rational beliefs play in CLIFOPOULOS, TC., &. WITENBERG, RT. (Australian Catholic University) relation to these emotions. As with other areas of [email protected] psychology, the focus of REBT over the years has been directed to clients’ negative emotional his study was conducted to examine the experiences. In an attempt to address this and further Tinfluence of age, aggression levels, the quality of develop REBT, the present paper reviews and school life, and tolerance to human diversity on challenges recent claims from the realm of social bullying behaviour. The sample consisted on 104 psychology that positive illusions promote mental adolescent males aged between 12 and 18 years, health. It is proposed that a similar dichotomy of attending both rural and city schools. Bullying healthy and unhealthy positive emotions also exists, behaviour includes the tendency for someone to and a basic framework for working with this positive bully, and the tendency for them to be victimised. dichotomy is introduced. Analyses revealed a higher level of reported victimisation among younger teenagers compared to older ones confirming previous research that bullying

129 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Second life - second personality? Personality Assessing the impact of clinical education on the assessment in virtual worlds attitudes of health professionals towards working with Borderline Personality Disorder: A COLLINS, F. (Monash University) [email protected] comparison of theoretical frameworks in generating long-term attitudinal change he normative and psychometric properties of Tmost of the well-established personality measures COMMONS TRELOAR, A. (Monash University) [email protected] in use today are drawn from traditional pen and paper administration. However, the widespread use his paper describes recent research conducted on of the Internet in the mid 1990s prompted Tthe impact of attending targeted clinical explorations of the ethical, practical and education on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) psychometric implications of the Web-based on the attitudes of health professionals, in an attempt administration of these tools. Research has since to promote a more empathetic response and nuanced provided strong evidence of the psychometric understanding when working with patients diagnosed comparability of many personality measures in both with this complex disorder. The research also their pen-and-paper and Web-based forms (Collins, examined which form of clinical education had the 2004). The present paper explores the next frontier of greater impact on improving attitudes, using Internet-based personality assessment: virtual worlds. cognitive-behavioural theory and more traditional Gartner Inc. (2007) forecasts that by 2012, eighty psychoanalytic theory. A demographic questionnaire percent of all Internet users will have a 'second life', and attitudinal tool to quantify clinician attitudes that is, they will have a personal presence in a public were used to assess the attitudes of mental health and virtual world. Today, virtual worlds such as Second emergency medicine practitioners across a New Life provide unique opportunities for the exploration Zealand and two Australian health services, pre and of the inevitable philosophical, ethical, and practical post education attendance and at 6-month follow-up. questions of 'virtual' psychological assessment. Compared to a control condition, examination of the attitude ratings revealed statistically significant Combined CBT and groups: Initial differences in attitude scores for all participants in outcome measures working with BPD following attendance at either of COLWELL, J., & MEHRTENS, J. (Independent the education programs. The type of education Practice) provided, cognitive-behavioural theory or [email protected] psychoanalytic theory, produced similar results. To determine the most efficacious form of training in ecent changes to Medicare funding have generating more long-term attitudinal change, a provided opportunities for psychologists to R follow-up of attitude ratings of these health expand from individual to group practice. professionals was completed over a 6-month period.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Combining Psychodrama with CBT has proved to be A comparison of the two clinical frameworks in a successful group intervention in a variety of settings promoting attitudinal change produced interesting and with diverse client populations. This presentation results. will address the development, structure and outcomes for small groups run from private practice. The Future directions in alcohol use disorder Melbourne groups are for clients with depression treatment research and/or anxiety and run over twelve weeks. The focus of the groups is on new role development and CONNOR, JP. (The University of Queensland) improved relationships. Outcome measures were [email protected] collected at baseline, 6 and 12 week intervals, and 3 n spite of advances in the psychological treatment months post intervention. Clients developed Iof Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) over the last healthier functioning through the combination of decade, outcomes remain modest. Parallel research in CBT and Psychodrama disciplines of machine learning, clinical pharmacology and molecular biology have contributed to our understanding of both the

130 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

aetiology and treatment of AUDs. This paper argues and self-deprecation, and the potential positive that cross-disciplinary research is essential to progress outcomes of such an experience, such as increased AUD treatment. Three examples are presented. compassion towards others. It also looks at the social Promising pilot data which demonstrates the superior support, or the lack thereof, received by survivors capabilities of non-linear modelling in predicting and how that affected their adaptation. alcohol treatment outcomes is compared with linear Understanding the experience of such events from a statistics. A second body of work reviews the holistic perspective is vital in providing appropriate evidence for the application of pharmacotherapy support for survivors of trauma. (anti-craving and relapse-prevention agents) as the single largest advance in AUD treatment over the Models of positive post-trauma adaptation in past decade. Included is a review of local data which multicultural Australia: Humanitarian migrant demonstrates the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioural perspectives Therapy when combined with adjunctive COPPING, A. (University of Tasmania)*, pharmacotherapy. The final series of studies report SHAKESPEARE-FINCH, J. (Queensland University of on the identification of specific genetic loci as risk Technology), & PATON, D.* markers for Alcohol Dependence severity. Recent [email protected] findings that examine the relationship between these he potential for survivors of traumatic events to genetic markers and psychological mechanisms also Tadapt to their post-trauma life in positive ways known to be associated with alcohol misuse are has been acknowledged in cultures across the world. discussed. The paper concludes that psychologists Cross-cultural research within the field of must embrace research design technologies and Posttraumatic Growth, however, has found that the evidence-based findings from their non-psychologist experience of positive adaptation can differ across colleagues to improve AUD treatment outcomes. cultures. This may be due to differences in the Modelling the experience of trauma in a White- proximate and distal influences on members of a given culture, that is, the expectations and coping Australian sample mechanisms sanctioned in the culture at large, and in COPPING, A. (University of Tasmania)*, the primary reference groups of the trauma survivor. SHAKESPEARE-FINCH, J. (Queensland University of This study used a Grounded Theory approach to Technology), & PATON, D.* constructing a model of the experience of trauma for [email protected] a White Australian sample, and for three African he field of trauma research has recently expanded nations (Sierra Leone, Liberia and Sudan) whose Tto include not only the adverse effects of countrymen have resettled in Australia through its experiencing a traumatic event, but also the potential humanitarian migration stream. This presentation for beneficial outcomes. A notable example of such will highlight the themes elucidated from these four

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 research is Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), a groups, focussing on differences between the African- salutogenic construct that acknowledges the Australian and White-Australian models, for multitude of responses to an experience of life crises. example, the use of religious coping. An Subtle differences have been demonstrated between understanding of the differences in the experience of the Australian construction of PTG outcomes and trauma for different cultural groups impacts on how those in the US literature. Thus this study expanded mental health professionals in Australia can provide upon previous research to encompass a salutogenic culturally sensitive support for humanitarian approach to understanding the Australian trauma migrants that is based in a detailed understanding of survivor’s experience. Grounded Theory the needs of these Australians. methodology was employed to elucidate themes of the Australian experience of trauma that were grounded in qualitative data, which were used to construct a model of post-trauma adaptation for this sample. The model is robust and includes both the adverse effects of trauma, for example loss of control

131 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Australian baby boom career women reject activity. In order to determine levels of negative ‘retirement’ and embrace ‘re-evolvement’ psychological states, the Profile of Mood States and the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory were COURTNEY, L., CALTABIANO, N., & CALTABIANO, M. (James Cook University) completed by all participants. The SCI group was [email protected] found to have raised levels of psychopathology, with 20% having elevated negative psychological states orldwide attention is focused on the massive typical of people with a psychiatric disorder. Results Wbaby boom cohort as they transition into their suggest people with SCI have an increased risk of later years. The purpose of this research was to suffering debilitating levels of psychopathology. investigate factors which Australian baby boom Future research needs to investigate psychosocial career women identified as essential to successful rehabilitation strategies for lowering negative ageing. This paper reports two major findings from psychological states such as depressive mood in a national survey comprised of 1052 baby boom people with SCI after they have completed their women. A significant number of women born from rehabilitation program. 1946 to 1964 rejected the concept of ‘retirement’, a time of withdrawal from the workforce, instead Critical reading and writing (CRW) in first-year envisioning their post-career years as a time of ‘re- psychology: Mass screening and targeted assistance evolvement’, comprising a multitude of paid and CRANNEY, J., JONES, G., MORRIS, S., STARFIELD, unpaid activities previously postponed. Another S., MARTIRE, K., NEWELL, B., & WONG, K. finding provided evidence that early and late baby (University of New South Wales) boomer’s current level of life satisfaction and post [email protected] career expectations were dissimilar, indicating that the baby boom cohort is comprised of at least two any beginning students struggle with their diverse groups. This research is expected to culminate Muniversity study because their high-school with the development of a conceptual model of post- experience did not yield the basic or enabling skills career re-evolvement for Australian baby boom essential to tertiary learning activities. A diagnostic career women that recognises these cohort differences program was designed to identify and assist students and provides a realistic framework of re-evolvement, in developing psychology-specific academic literacy not retirement, for these women. It is anticipated that skills in the large Introductory Psychology 1A course this model will assist in the development of better at UNSW. In an early lecture period, all students social strategies to ensure positive and productive were required to make a written response to a text ageing experiences for Australian baby boom career passage (CRW test). This test required them to take women. and argue a position. Trained assessors marked their responses according to a number of criteria that The impact of spinal cord injury on psychological ranged from spelling and grammar to the logic of

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 status their argument (which position they took was irrelevant). The bottom-scoring 50 students were CRAIG, A. (University of Sydney)*, TRAN, Y., then contacted and offered special tutorials to assist LOVAS, J. (University of Technology, Sydney) & MIDDLETON, J.* them with writing their laboratory report. In [email protected] addition, a second CRW test was offered to this assisted group of students as well as a control group t is believed spinal cord injury (SCI) places the of students (a second chance to make up percentage Iaffected individual at a high risk of psychological points). Students who participated in the tutorials disorder. The aim of this paper is to examine the showed improvement on some, but not all, relationship between SCI and negative psychological assessment criteria. The implications of these states. Levels of negative psychological states in 33 findings are discussed in terms of discipline- vs. non- people with SCI living in the community were discipline-specific assessment criteria, and in terms of compared to able-bodied controls matched for age a cost-benefit analysis of the exercise. and sex. People with SCI were recruited from the community, or were already participating in a broader study on the influence of SCI on brain wave 132 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Graduate attributes and undergraduate scores on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire psychology education and the I7 Impulsivity Questionnaire. It was hypothesised that impulsive-aggressive women and CRANNEY, J. (University of New South Wales), & TURNBULL, C. (University of Newcastle) aggressive women would demonstrate an attentional [email protected] bias towards aggressive facial stimuli during a dot probe task. Results partially supported this his paper will describe the process of delineating hypothesis, with aggressive women and impulsive Tthe graduate attributes (GA) of the women demonstrating an attentional bias towards the undergraduate (UG) program. We have developed a aggressive stimuli. However impulsive-aggressive comprehensive list of the capacities or attributes that women did not demonstrate this bias. Post-task UG students of psychology can develop during their aggressiveness ratings of facial stimuli were used to four years at university. The attributes comprise the investigate attributional biases among this knowledge, skills and values that are consistent with population. It was hypothesised that impulsive- the science and application of psychology: aggressive women would rate neutral faces as Knowledge and Understanding; Research Methods; significantly more aggressive than other women. This Critical Thinking Skills; Values; Communication was supported. These data suggest a dichotomous Skills; and Learning and Application. Each attribute relationship between trait aggression and co-existing is accompanied by a list of suggested student learning trait impulsivity, in that aggressive women differ in outcomes. The learning outcomes provide students terms of their susceptibility to attentional and with focal points to demonstrate their progressive attributional bias dependent on the level of coexisting attainment of the GA, and they support academics in trait impulsivity. defining the criteria for measuring student performance. The GA and related learning outcomes Review of refugee mental health and wellbeing in are intended as recommendations based on research Australia and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, DAVIDSON, G. (University of the Sunshine Coast), including international comparisons. Different levels MURRAY, K. (Arizona State University), & of development of these GA and learning outcomes SCHWEITZER, R. (Queensland University of would be expected across the four years of the Technology) program. Strategies for the integration of GA [email protected] development into the UG curriculum, as well as rawing on a literature review prepared for the implications for postgraduate education, are Australian Psychological Society on concerns discussed. [Supported by the Carrick Institute for D related to the mental health and wellbeing of refugees Learning and Teaching in Higher Education] and refugee claimants in the Australian context, this Attentional and attributional biases in impulsive- paper examines factors influencing refugees’ psychological adjustment in the resettlement phase, Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 aggressive young women including systemic and socio-political factors CRAWLEY, T., HABERLE, S., & MARTIN, F. impacting on resettlement. Research findings suggest (University of Tasmania) that mental health and wellbeing outcomes are [email protected] influenced by complex combinations of pre- revious research has shown aggressive individuals displacement, displacement, resettlement and Pin forensic samples demonstrate patterns of systemic factors, with detention of, or award of vigilance to aggressively-themed stimuli (Smith & temporary residence to, refugees who are already Waterman, 2003; 2004). In addition aggressive experiencing psychological distress on arrival being a individuals have been found to misattribute hostile case in point. More research is needed into the intent to ambiguous cues (Dodge & Schwartz, 1997). combined, path-wise relationships between the To date, however, no research has explored these psychosocial pre-determinants and psychological effects in non-clinical female samples. Four groups of sequelae of the refugee experience. female students (impulsive-aggressive, aggressive, impulsive, control) were selected on the basis of

133 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Cognitive errors and perfectionism in children: parenting with the demands of their drug use. Construct validity of the Adaptive/Maladaptive Qualitative data were collected within three broad Perfectionism Scale domains: how one’s parenting role is challenged by the demands of drug use, strategies used to minimise DAVIS, MC., & WOSINSKI, NL. (Curtin University of Technology) harm to one’s children, and what support services [email protected] would assist them to prevent drug-related harm to their children. The findings are discussed in relation his study provides evidence for the construct- to forensic practice (e.g., parenting evaluations for Trelated validity of the Adaptive/Maladaptive Family Court or Child-Protection Applications) and Perfectionism Scale (AMPS) by investigating its public health policy (e.g., population-based harm- relationships with measures of positive and negative reduction strategies). affect, cognitive errors, and dichotomous thinking in 10-12 year old children. We hypothesised that the The epidemiology of “ecstasy” use and related reportedly maladaptive subscales, Sensitivity to harm – what do we know? Mistakes, Compulsiveness, and Need for Admiration DEGENHARDT, L., DUNN, M., CAMPBELL, M., & would show positive associations with negative affect ROXBURGH A. (University of New South Wales) and negative thinking styles, while the adaptive [email protected] subscale Contingent Self Esteem would be positively related to positive affect and negatively related to here is good evidence that the use of “ecstasy”, negative affect and negative thinking styles. A non- Tthe street name for pills containing MDMA, has clinical sample of 204 children completed the AMPS, increased around the world in recent years, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children, Australia has been no exception to that trend. the Children’s Negative Cognitive Errors Scale and Australia has the benefit of multiple state and the Dichotomous Thinking Scale for Children. national data sources that can inform about trends in Correlational analyses provided evidence to validate the use and harm related to ecstasy use among at risk the maladaptive subscales and some validation of the populations, and at a population level. The aim of adaptive subscale. Maladaptive perfectionism was a the current paper is to discuss the epidemiology of significant predictor of children’s negative thinking ecstasy use and harm over time in New South Wales, styles scores even after controlling for negative affect. Australia, with a focus upon sentinel groups of Adaptive perfectionism did not predict negative regular ecstasy users (REU) recruited for the Ecstasy thinking styles after controlling for positive affect. and related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). The The results have implications for using the AMPS to paper also considers these trends in the broader identify adaptive and maladaptive features of context of other indicators of ecstasy markets, perfectionism in children, particularly those who patterns of use and harm. It will also provide a may be at risk of developing clinical disorders due to summary of recent work conducted through the

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 their maladaptive perfectionism and negative EDRS examining associations between patterns of thinking styles. ecstasy use and risk behaviours and adverse consequences, including sexual and injection risk, Balancing drug use and parental responsibilities: social problems and mental health problems. The The challenges faced by mums who use implications of this work for researchers, clinicians amphetamine and those involved in harm reduction will be considered. DEAR, GE. (Edith Cowan University) [email protected] Experiences of trauma and loss in problem articipants were ten women who (1) are mothers gamblers Pwho are caring for at least one pre-school aged DEIGHTON, R., HOSKING, G., MORRIS, D. & child, and (2) use amphetamine at least 4 days per MACNAB., F. (The Cairnmillar Institute) week in an average week (with or without other [email protected] substance use). These women were interviewed about their experience of balancing the demands of particularly high prevalence of traumatic Aexperience in samples of problem gamblers has 134 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

been documented in several recent studies. The W.A.R. and compliance with anti-doping policy in prevalence of PTSD in samples of problems gamblers sport seeking treatment has been estimated in various DICKINSON, C., & QUIRK, F. (James Cook studies to be in the realm of 12.5% to 34%, University) substantially higher than in the general population. [email protected] Particularly high rates of abuse have been recorded. For example, Kausch, Rugle, and Rowland (2006), he purpose of this research is to investigate the found that 64% of a sample of problem gamblers Tissues and perceptions that feature in the decision seeking treatment had suffered some form of abuse making process of complying or not complying with prior to the onset of their problem gambling (41% anti-doping policies in sport. Social science reported physical, and 24% sexual abuse). Following approaches are applied to investigate the likely on from a pilot study which has been described intentions or actions concerning performance previously, the present study presents data from an enhancing drug (PED) use. Five experimental groups effectiveness study of integrative psychotherapy with are incorporated in the design of this study: non- problem gamblers seeking treatment. It examines the active participants, regular exercisers, amateur prevalence and nature of traumatic experiences sporting club members, professional athletes, and reported. Statistical comparisons are made between coaches or trainers. The sample size for each those with and without a history of trauma and experimental group is 50, with a total of 250 between subgroups formed according to type of participants. Each participant is presented with a traumatic experience. Emotion regulation is discussed randomised selection of scenarios describing a sports as the most important underlying mechanism person in a number of different contexts. Participants explaining the link between trauma and problem are asked to rate the scenario on the risk of PED use gambling, and implications for functional analysis of and potential contributing factors. Data analysis will individual cases and treatment are considered. focus on the comparisons between the different levels of sport engagement of each group and the different The AUT program in counselling psychology influencing factors presented in the scenarios. This research will provide a greater understanding of the DENHAM, GW. (Auckland University of Technology) [email protected] underlying motivations of PED use and will provide valuable information for those engaged with and in his paper outlines the AUT program in sport. A follow up study is intended to address those Tcounselling psychology and attempts to explain factors found to increase the probability of the local conditions that have produced the void the compliance or non compliance with anti-doping program fills. Though responding to local need, the policies. program was developed largely under the guidance and enthusiasm of practising psychologists from Factors influencing the impact of secondary

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 other countries, and draws its inspiration from exposure to trauma colleagues trained in the US, Australia, and the UK. DIEHM, R., & KING, RM. (Deakin University) Its international character has been established, not [email protected] only through the diverse background of its academic staff, but by the program’s popularity with students ome theorists argue clinicians working with from culturally and linguistically diverse Straumatised clients may develop secondary backgrounds. Preliminary research examining how traumatic stress (STS) while others argue they may interns referential systems, conceived in dialogical experience vicarious trauma (VT), or lasting terms, change as a result of their training, is alterations to basic cognitive beliefs, and burnout presented. through cumulative secondary exposure to trauma. Disagreement exists as to whether these constructs are interrelated but distinct processes, or represent different aspects of a developmental process. This study investigated the impact of secondary exposure to trauma upon the development of STS, VT and

135 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

burnout and the relationships between these effort for men and self-worth protective individuals constructs. Individual vulnerability factors were also and decrease worry for self-worth protective students investigated. Sixty mental health clinicians completed thereby improving statistics achievement. a questionnaire battery consisting of: demographics, work-related trauma and past history of trauma; and Y’s, X’s, & Boomers: Do they differ with respect measures of STS, VT, burnout, empathy, and social to critical organisational variables? support. Secondary exposure to graphic details of FALLON, BJ. (Australian Catholic University), & client trauma was related to both STS and VT. While CABALLERO, C. (Deakin University) correlated, STS, VT and burnout are separate [email protected] processes. STS mediated the relationship between s the boomers move closer to retirement and the secondary exposure to trauma and VT, which in turn Y’s are entering the paid workforce in mediated the relationship between STS and burnout. A increasing numbers, there is an increasing amount of Social support moderated the relationship between commentary in the popular media about differences exposure to client trauma and VT. Empathy, current between these three with respect to some critical distress regarding past trauma, and work-related organisational variables – engagement, commitment, trauma, potentially increase clinicians’ vulnerability. and intention to quit. The present research Developmental conceptualisations of the relationship investigated differences between these three groups in between STS, VT and burnout were supported. a sample of 113 participants. Analyses revealed A trait-state model of statistics achievement: An significant differences between the three groups on examination of gender and self-worth protective each of the variables of interest. However, the differences patterns of differences were not consistent. While there was no difference between the Y’s and X’s with DINNEL, D. (Western Washington University) respect to engagement and commitment both were [email protected] significantly lower on commitment than the boomers tructural equation modelling was used to test a and both were significantly higher than the boomers StraitÆstateÆperformance model. Trait and state on intention to quit. On the other hand, for measures of motivational constructs (self-efficacy, engagement there was a linear relationship between effort, worry) in addition to gender and self-worth the three groups with the Y’s the lowest and the protective status were used to predict statistics boomers the higher. Results are discussed within a achievement for 237 undergraduate students in the social exchange framework. U.S. While self-efficacy has been shown to be related to achievement, it may impact achievement through From problem to solution: Working together to other variables (e.g., effort, worry). In support of the make a difference hypothesized model, each trait measure had a direct FINLAY, A., MEJIA, J., & RICKETTS, T. (Catholic

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 effect on its corresponding state measure; state worry Education, Parramatta) and state effort had significant direct relationships to [email protected] statistics achievement while state self-efficacy did not; n line with current research into changes in service and trait measures were distinguishable from their Idelivery models, educational psychologists from corresponding state measures as demonstrated by Catholic Education, Parramatta, initiated a pilot disattenuated correlations. Furthermore, women project in 2005, to trial a solution-focused, attained higher levels of achievement than men due consultative model of service delivery to schools. to higher levels of effort while self-worth protective Three primary and two secondary systemic schools individuals attained lower levels of achievement due across Western Sydney participated in the project, the to less effort and higher levels of worry than non-self- focus being firstly, changes in service delivery by worth protective individuals. While self-efficacy was educational psychologists from individual casework not directly related to achievement, it facilitated to solution-focused consultation, and secondly, the reduced worry and increased effort, resulting in professional development of teachers. The intent was higher levels of achievement. Based on these findings, to encourage collaboration between special education teachers should boost self-efficacy in order to increase and classroom teachers; to encourage a shift in their 136 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

thinking and practice from problem to solution; and Peer friendship: A protective factor against to improve their identification, assessment and relational aggression intervention skills. At the same time the educational FITZPATRICK, S., & BUSSEY, K. (Macquarie psychologists implemented a solution-focused, University) consultative model of service delivery, referral [email protected] package and student learning profile. Findings from an independent review process revealed support from lthough bullying is a significant problem in all stakeholders for the consultative model in its Amany schools, there has been little empirical ability to provide a more effective service for students investigation into the processes which moderate risk with special needs and a comprehensive framework factors between adolescent problem behaviour and for empowering and developing their teachers. The relational aggression specifically. One protective role of the educational psychologist as a partner in function that has received less attention than others is the education process at the school level was that of peer friendship (Hodges et al., 1999). The aim considerably enhanced. of the present study was to examine the nature of close friendships in victims, bullies and witnesses of Accepting the ODDS (Oppositional and Defiant relational aggression and to better understand how Disorder): Moving students from exclusion to these friendships could provide a protective function inclusion while promoting resilience and against relational aggression. More than 1200 students wellbeing in grades 7 and 9 in NSW high schools completed a questionnaire examining social (e.g. identity of FINLAY, B. (Australian Catholic University) [email protected] friends, social acceptance) and personal (e.g. friendship quality, self-efficacy) characteristics of ppositional defiant behaviour presents both the adolescent and their nominated very best Oparticular challenges for inclusive practitioners. friend. In addition, the study investigated whether Accepting the ODDS can be daunting for beginning peer friendship moderates the relationship between teachers, school executives and support service staff. relational victimization and adolescent’s internalizing This study outlines how a behaviour consultant and a and externalizing behaviours. The results will provide school counsellor drew upon a conceptual model of important information for the development of resilience to promote student and staff wellbeing in interventions, such as peer support programs, which the upper primary school. Three girls in their final focus on attenuating bullying behaviour through the two terms of Primary School, with a diagnosis of use of peer friendships. Oppositional Defiant Behaviour and a school history of exclusion through school detentions and Recent introduction of MBS item numbers for suspensions became the subjects of a Group psychological services: Impact on psychologists Education Plan (GEP). The GEP specifically targeted and client outcomes Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 inclusive practices and featured positive psychology, FLETCHER, J., PIRKIS, J., & CHRISTO, J. (University solution focussed and cognitive behaviour therapies. of Melbourne) Students reported positive outcomes from the [email protected] intervention strategies instigated to promote an inclusive teaching and learning environment. Recent n November 2006, the Better Access program was experience has demonstrated that such students can Iintroduced as part of the Council of Australian be successfully included in high school if their Governments reform package. This national program transition is supported. aims to improve consumer access to psychologists and other mental health providers, via a series of new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers. This study aims to investigate the uptake of the new item numbers and evaluate the impact on psychologists and their clients. Funded by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, the project is being completed in partnership by the University

137 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

of Melbourne and the Australian Psychological Is there a basis for the notion of athletic identity? Society. Data sources include MBS data of uptake of FRASER, L. (University of the Sunshine Coast), the item numbers and interviews with psychologists FOGARTY, G., & ALBION, M. (University of and their clients. Data are being collected over four Southern Queensland) six-month periods to detect changes over time. [email protected] Preliminary data show that uptake has been rapid; by December 2007 Medicare was billed for 1,530,753 espite the intuitive appeal of the notion of an sessions rendered by allied health professionals, by far D“athletic identity”, a growing body of research exceeding predicted numbers for the first five years of and theory suggests that identity is a complex the initiative. Thirty-eight psychologists and four multidimensional entity. The present study tested clients consented in the first six months, with 32 and this notion by exploring relations between athletic two interviewed, respectively. Interview data from identity, as measured by the Athletic Identity the first six month period suggest that, overall, Measurement Scale (AIMS: Brewer, Raalte, & Linder, psychologist and client experiences of the MBS item 1993) and aspects of self-concept, as measured by the Self-Description Questionnaire III (SDQ: Marsh, numbers have been overwhelmingly positive. 1992). The participants in the study were 917 athletes Improving the validity of self-ratings of abilities: (476 females) on sporting scholarships linked with the The impact of rating format and order Australian Institute of Sport and were therefore representative of a group for whom the term “athletic FONG, Y. (Macquarie University)*, EARL, J. identity” has strong relevance. The SDQ requires (University of New South Wales), & LANGFORD, PH.* [email protected] respondents to rate the accuracy of characteristics as self-descriptors and also the importance of each revious research has found self-ratings of abilities characteristic. Regarding the accuracy scores, we did Pto have low validity. Aiming to identify new not find any relationship between AIMS athletic ways to improve self-ratings, this study investigated identity and SDQ sporting self-concept but we did the effects of rating format (single-item global rating find gender-linked relationships between athletic versus multiple-item dimensional rating) on the identity and different aspects of SDQ academic self- validity of self-rated abilities. A self-rating measure of concept. For the SDQ importance ratings, we communication skills was developed for data observed a significant relationship between athletic collection from 178 medical students in this study. identity and sporting self-concept for both genders The measure consisted of a single item assessing and also between athletic identity and verbal self- communication skills in general and eleven specific concept for females. We discuss what these and other items, with each evaluating a particular dimension of findings mean for the notion of athletic identity. communication skills. Students’ self-ratings were correlated with ratings from two groups of raters, A psychoneuroimmunological model of multiple

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 namely communication tutors and clinical tutors, to sclerosis establish validity. Results showed that students FULCHER, G. (MS Society NSW/Victoria) tended to provide more accurate and valid self-ratings [email protected] when using multiple items measuring the specific dimensions of communication skills than when using his psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) model of a single, global item. In addition, we found that the TMS uses the coalition of genetics, immunology, validity of students’ self-ratings on the single item was endocrinology, virology, neurology, psychology and improved when students rated themselves on the environmental factors to explain the genesis and multiple items prior to the single item. Theoretical progress of the disease. Combining the knowledge of and practical implications of the findings are all of these disciplines with the notions of a systemic discussed, and future research directions are condition called the multiple sclerosis trait (MST) and suggested. the concept that the immune system serves as a sixth sense, this model opens up possibilities of collaboration and integration as well as a wide expanse of opportunities for research, treatment and,

138 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

potentially, prevention options for MS. These Relationship between spirituality and mental opportunities are outside the traditional medical and health in Iranian college students pharmaceutical approaches but inside the GHOBARY, B. (University of Tehran) scientifically sound and evidence-based models of [email protected] research and practice. The PNI model encourages collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches that take he aim of the current study was to investigate into account all of the abovementioned factors Tthe relationship between spirituality and mental simultaneously in MS research and management. The health in college students. To this end 306 students paper offers an opportunity for debate and discussion were selected from the University of Tehran by on this novel approach to MS. means of a proportional sampling procedure. The Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R) as well as the Perceptions of compared with beliefs about sleep: Spiritual Experiences Scale were administered by a The merits of an illness perception questionnaire trained research assistant. Analysis of the data using a for sleep problems multiple correlation analysis revealed that students FULLER, TE. (La Trobe University), & with a higher score in spirituality were less anxious, GREENWOOD, KM. (RMIT University) less depressed and less hostile. Using a multiple [email protected] regression analysis findings also showed that mental health of college students can be predicted by his research aimed to investigate whether the dimensions of the spirituality scale including “finding TIllness Perception Questionnaire Revised (IPQ- meaning in life”, “transcendental mystical R; Moss-Morris et al., 2002) adapted to sleep experiences”, and “lack of spiritual experiences”. problems might be utilised as an alternative to the Theoretical implications of the findings and their Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep-10 (DBAS-10: practical application for spiritual interventions were Edinger & Wohlgemuth, 2001) questionnaire. Study discussed in the paper. 1 recruited 227 individuals aged between 18 and 90 years from the community who were seeking help to Binge drinking in young Australians: The improve their sleep. The IPQ-R, DBAS-10, and underlying beliefs, prediction of and cluster Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI: Buysse et analysis al., 1989) were utilised in a cross-sectional design to assess perceptions of sleep and severity of insomnia GILMARTIN, T., & WITENBERG, R. (Australian Catholic University) respectively. Results from principal component [email protected] analysis and hierarchical regression showed that the IPQ-R for insomnia had sound psychometric his study aimed to use cluster analysis and other properties, and that the predictor variables accounted Tstatistical techniques to examine the underlying for 27% of the variance in PSQI global scores. factors that influence binge drinking among

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Furthermore the properties of the IPQ-R for Australian young people. Participants completed a insomnia compared favourably with the DBAS-10. A number of scales to assess drinking behaviour, subsequent, prospective study, examined the perceived parental and peer norms and area of relationships between these measures from upbringing. Participants also responded to three participants in a CBT-based program for insomnia. drinking stories to examine the underlying beliefs The results showed moderate effect sizes in the that influence the decision to binge drink. The predicted directions in most of the IPQ-R subscales, analyses uncovered four belief categories in favour of and provided evidence for the IPQ-R to be used in binge drinking and nine against. The belief category preference to the DBAS-10. The value of focussing on used was found to be associated with drinking illness perceptions rather than dysfunctional beliefs behaviour and dependent on the situation. The about sleep in therapy is considered. results further suggested that perceived parental drinking behaviours and perceived peer drinking behaviours respectively were positively related to drinking level. In addition, males consumed significantly more alcohol than females and rural

139 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

respondents consumed significantly more alcohol accomplish this, parents completed the Disruptive than urban respondents. The cluster analysis revealed Behaviour Rating Scale (DBRS; Barkley & Murphy, five distinct groups in the data. 1998) for 403 boys and 380 girls, between 6 and 11 years of age. The results for the GPCM for the slope Learning difficulties and cognitive processes parameters showed that all items were generally good assessment: A model for clinical practice for discriminating their respective latent traits. The GLEESON, G. (University of Western Sydney) results for the location parameters showed that [email protected] endorsement of higher ratings of all the items in the DBRS would require a considerable amount of the onsiderable controversy is currently centred relevant latent traits (IA or HI) to be present. In Cupon the policies and procedures for identifying relation to the differential item functioning (DIF) students with specific learning disabilities (SLD). This analyses, this study found invariance for all the slope “contentious, heated debate” (Mather & Kaufman, parameters for both the IA and HI items. For 2006, p.747) is being waged between those who location parameters, there was no DIF for all the IA advocate for the use of problem-solving models items, and seven of the nine HI items. Thus there was incorporating curriculum-based measurement (or good support for the psychometric properties and response to intervention, RTI) and those who gender invariance for the ADHD items in the DBRS. support the continued use of traditional norm- These findings extend existing data on the referenced assessment, including cognitive measures, psychometric properties and gender invariance of as part of the diagnostic process. In an effort to ADHD rating scales. integrate and demonstrate the value of both RTI and cognitive assessment for the process of accurate SLD Business coaching: Case study of Appreciative identification, this paper describes a theory-driven Facilitation in a professional sport organisation cognitive processing measures approach based on Flanagan, Ortiz, Alfonso and Dynda’s (2006) GORDON, S. (University of Western Australia) [email protected] Operational Definition of Learning Difficulties coupled with Hale and Fiorello’s (2004) Cognitive his presentation describes the author’s Hypothesis Testing (CHT) Model for Learning Texperience during February, 2008 as an invited Difficulties Identification and Intervention. Based on facilitator with the Western Australian Cricket this approach, it is argued that a selective approach to (WACA). Over a 2-day period learning difficulties assessment that incorporates participants, including the WACA CEO, Coach, historical data, cognitive processing measures, High Performance Manager, Game Development achievement tests, and clinical judgment within such Manager, Cricket Officer Manager, Human a formalised assessment framework will permit more Resources Officer and an Executive Board member, accurate diagnoses to be made and more appropriate discussed a range of issues under the heading of

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 individualised interventions to be devised in “building the optimal cricket operation”. Facilitation consequence. is simply about bringing the best out of people and groups when planning and implementing Parent ratings of the ADHD items of the organisational change efforts. Appreciative Facilitation Disruptive Behaviour Rating Scale: Analyses of is about a particular approach to facilitation using their IRT properties and gender invariance based Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as the process model of on the generalised partial credit model choice for group interactions. Key principles include: GOMEZ, R. (University of Tasmania) appreciate yourself and others in the change process; [email protected] apply your experience and knowledge; be provocative and creatively envision a desired future; eneralised partial credit model (GPCM), which and collaborate in the process. In Appreciative Gis based on item response theory (IRT), was Facilitation the participant in change is central to used to evaluate the psychometric properties and test each phase in the AI 4-D Cycle: Discover – gender invariance for the DSM-IV inattention (IA) participants explored what gives life to WACA and hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) items. To Cricket Operations, when it is at its best; Dream –

140 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

based on what was discovered participants envisioned how supervisors manage difficulties that arise in the what Cricket Operations might be in the future; supervisory relationship. It presents data from a Design – participants co-constructed WACA qualitative project based on intensive interviews with organisational arrangements to support the shared 7 supervisor -supervisee dyads, entailing 21 interviews vision; and Destiny – ways and means of sustaining in total. The supervisors were a purposive sample commitment to the future were developed. consisting of senior members of the profession with considerable expertise in supervision. Interviews were Community beliefs regarding teacher-student first conducted with supervisors on their theory of sexual relationships related to teacher and student supervision and application of that theory in practice. gender An Interpersonal Recall Method was then used to GOUGH, K., & KNOWLES, A. (Swinburne University independently explore supervisor and supervisee of Technology) reflections on one of their videotaped supervision [email protected] sessions. This paper examines data from the perspective of supervisors and reports on data from his research used a vignette methodology to three domains: i) the kind of relationship difficulties examine whether beliefs about teacher-student T that arose in supervision; ii) the supervisory events sexual relations are influenced by teacher and student they found most difficult; iii) how they managed gender and respondent age group and parental status. these difficulties in the context of the supervisory The sample comprised two groups: 31 female and 25 relationship. male parents of adolescents and 70 female and 28 male recent secondary school graduates. Participants Psychological discriminators in skilled tennis responded to vignettes depicting a sexual relationship performance: A model for talent development between a male teacher and female student or between a female teacher and male student. In the GREEN, D., GROSS, J., & WEISSENSTEINER, J. vignettes the teacher was aged 22 years and the (University of Canberra) [email protected] student 17 years old. Results showed that beliefs about teacher-student sexual relations were generally his study explored the specific nature and negative. However, young adult females had more Tdevelopment of various psychological skills and negative beliefs about teacher-student sexual characteristics of skilled tennis performance. A relationships than did young adult males. Also, questionnaire was administered to 156 (skilled, state parents of adolescents had stronger negative beliefs level and above = 61, lesser-skilled = 95) Australian about teacher-student sexual relations than did young tennis players between 11 and 35 years of age. Sport- adults. Parents of adolescents were more likely to specific measures of coping skill, confidence, believe such relationships were harmful and more commitment, mental toughness, anxiety, supportive of legal sanctions against such perfectionism and optimism were incorporated into a

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 relationships than were young adults. It was psychological test battery. Multivariate and concluded that the public hold differing beliefs about univariate ANOVA revealed that the skilled tennis teacher-student sexual relations and that age and players exhibited higher levels of sport-specific gender influence beliefs regarding sexual relationships psychological attributes and adaptive perfectionism that arguably breach the duty of care between student than their lesser-skilled counterparts. Analysis across and teacher. age indicated that this particular psychological profile was evident at an early age (i.e., at an under 13 level). The supervisory relationship: Managing There were no differences between the skill groups difficulties with supervisees with respect to anxiety and optimism. Follow-up GRANT, JA. (Curtin University), & SCHOFIELD, MJ. discriminant function analysis indicated that a (La Trobe University) combination of four characteristics, namely, [email protected] Perseverance and Value from the MTI (Middleton et al., 2004), Involvement Opportunities from the SCM ike the therapeutic alliance, the supervisory (Scanlan et al.,1993) and Personal Standards from the relationship has been shown to be central to L MPS (Frost et al., 1990), successfully discriminated good supervision outcomes. This paper examines 141 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

between the two skill groups. These findings have emotional and cognitive effects of different emotion important implications for future practices relating to regulation strategies among social phobia patients. talent identification and psychological training, We predicted that, relative to comparison conditions, specific to tennis. Recommendations for future multi- patients who suppressed their emotions would factorial investigations will be presented. experience increased distress, more negative cognitions, and decreased willingness to perform “Better life for our daughters?” Advancing global future tasks. In addition, we predicted that justice for women suppression efforts would reduce cognitive resources GRIDLEY, H. (Victoria University) available and decrease the fidelity of memory of the [email protected] experience. Sixty social phobia patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: he United Nations Millennium Development suppression, acceptance, and no instruction. All TGoal (MDG) 3 focuses on the promotion of participants presented a controversial article and gender equality and the empowerment of women. A completed state measures of anxiety and distress, as series of ‘gender indicators’ has been developed to well as measures of negative cognitions and memory track progress towards this global goal across sectors for the task. Consistent with hypotheses, suppression and nations. The indicators span areas such as was associated with increased negative emotions, education, infrastructure, property rights and more negative cognitions, and decreased willingness employment. In this paper, I draw on these to perform another similar task. indicators to invite a critical assessment of community psychology’s actual and potential A brief skills-based alcohol education program for contributions to global social justice for women. Key adults with long-term substance dependencies: questions in any such assessment include: Whose Preliminary results from a randomised controlled needs are being met? In what ways is power trial distributed and enacted in particular contexts? Whose voices and priorities are privileged and how GRUENERT, S., MANNING, M. (Odyssey House Victoria), STAIGER, P., LAKE, A., & LONG, C. are they authorised? As community psychology (Deakin University) moves toward a more interdisciplinary and global [email protected] identity, feminist-informed human rights perspectives can not only strengthen community psychology but he problematic use of drugs is often reduced by a also enhance the field’s capacity to enact gendered Tsignificant residential treatment experience. social justice within the global community. However, a consistent finding of large-scale international outcomes studies is that the problematic Consequences of suppression versus acceptance of use of alcohol often begins, continues or escalates emotions in social phobia following such treatment. To date, few drug

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 treatment agencies include alcohol specific modules GRISHAM, JR. (University of New South Wales), & in the services they provide. Furthermore, it appears McEVOY, PM. (Curtin University of Technology) [email protected] that no specific program has been evaluated as effective in reducing problematic alcohol use within a ocially anxious individuals often engage in poly drug using population. Through a collaborative Sineffective attempts to regulate their emotions, partnership involving Deakin University, Odyssey including emotional suppression. Suppression may House Victoria, Windana and the University of exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, decrease memory Washington, a skills-based program was developed for social situations, and ultimately reduce effective with funding from the Alcohol Education and social performance. In contrast, acceptance of Rehabilitation Foundation. The intervention emotions during a social experience (experiencing program had four key elements: mindfulness-based emotions without trying to change or control them) cognitive therapy; alcohol expectancies; relapse does not require continual self-regulation and may prevention; and alcohol related harm reduction. The lead to reduced distress and improved memory for program was delivered through a combination of details. In the current study, we investigated the group work, therapeutic letters and individual

142 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

telephone counselling, with participants setting their education, which aims to enhance couple own abstinence or controlled drinking goals. A relationships and prevent relationship problems, as randomised controlled trial (N=150) compared the distinct from providing therapy for distressed effectiveness of the program to an information only couples. There is a growing evidence base that allows control group across two residential treatment sites, identification, albeit with limited accuracy, of couples with 3-month and 9-month follow up interviews. at risk for future relationship problems. Assessments This presentation will outline the preliminary results can inform couples about their relationships at 3 months including client satisfaction and strengths and challenges, and education programs can qualitative feedback. enhance couple relationship knowledge and skills. Such education enhances couples’ maintenance of A meta-analytic study on marriage and high relationship satisfaction, improves coping with relationship researches in Turkey: A preliminary stressful life situations, and might reduce the rate of report relationship separations. The potential impact of GÜNEY, S. (Ankara University, Turkey) couple relationship education is limited by ongoing [email protected] challenges being addressed in current research: to develop programs for couples that are easily accessed, he main objective of this study is to put forward to address couple needs at different points in the life Tthe studies on marriage and relationship cycle, and to develop systems that cost-effectively counselling in Turkey by examining and analysing disseminate programs to couples. the studies’ main criteria. The specific objectives are: 1) to create a common point of view between the Strengthening parental identity after childhood professionals working in the area by sharing the death – efficacy of psychodrama and small-group methods and the results of the studies in turkey, 2) to work collect and assess in all marriage and counselling studies information on factors affecting impact of the HAMILTON-ROBERTS, J. (Very Special Kids) [email protected] techniques used in the therapies, and 3) to make proposals and recommendations for the future of oreno’s Psychodramatic Role Theory offers a marriage and relationship counselling and therapies. Mcomprehensive framework for the assessment The meta-analytical techniques will be used to and progressive development of client role systems conduct the objectives of the present study. Results including relationships with self and with deceased will be discussed in terms of future contributions to significant others. Facilitating an open exploration the area by exchanging the related information with of the impact of the bereavement on the parent’s the professionals working in the area. sense of self together with the continuing development of interactive exchange between a Strengthening couple relationships to enhance bereaved parent and their deceased child, has been

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 human well being: What psychology has to offer found to be effective in strengthening identity. This HALFORD, WK. (Griffith University) presentation outlines and evaluates a group-work [email protected] program specifically designed to focus on the identity issues of parents, bereaved through the death of their cross human cultures almost all people form children at varying lengths of time and through a Acommitted couples relationships, and the quality range of causes including suicide, accident and long and stability of those relationships has a powerful term illness. Six consecutive 2 hour group-work effect on the health and well being of adults and sessions were held with a review session and children. In Australia the direct economic costs of evaluation a month later. Clients reported an couple relationship problems exceed $5 billion increased sense of self, motivation and engagement annually. In Western countries, including Australia, with life. governments, community and health agencies seek to promote positive couple relationships to reduce human suffering and economic costs. A key element of these efforts is the provision of couple relationship

143 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

The Child and Adolescent Measurement Scale issues assumed to influence differences in test (CAMS): Investigation of the reliability and performance include educational emphases and validity in an Australian parent sample school curricula. along with the ethnic diversity of samples. These cultural factors have implications for HAMMOND, SW. (Australian Catholic University), McDONAGH, K., LOVE, A. (La Trobe University), score interpretation, and for the selection and use of COVENTRY, N., & NURSEY, J. (Austin Health) intelligence, language and achievement tests in [email protected] Australia.

he Child and Adolescent Measurement Scale Does deployment to a remote Cape York T(CAMS) is a 50-item outcome measure community affect Police? specifically designed to measure youth’s emotional and behaviour problems over time. The CAMS is HANNIGAN, DJ., & PATRICK, J. (University of Southern Queensland) comprised of three scales, Social Competence, Acuity [email protected] and Symptom Severity and has respondent versions for parents/caregivers, youth, teachers and clinical olicing is a high-stress occupation (Anderson, staff. The CAMS was introduced as a routine PLitzenberger, & Plecas, 2002). For officers based outcome measure in a metropolitan Child and in Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula there are the Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in 2002. added challenges of remoteness, including limited This paper reports on parent/carer reports for 909 public transport, social isolation and limited services, children and adolescents ages 5 to 18 years referred to in addition to tropical climate, cultural differences, the CAMHS. Results indicate adequate internal and Alcohol Management Plans. Little training or consistency and test-retest reliability. Principal information is given to officers and their families to components analysis supports a four factor solution: enable them to better cope with these challenges. It Externalising behaviour, internalizing behaviour, was hypothesised that these additional aspects of life social functioning and risk taking/serious conduct. in Cape York would create marital dissatisfaction, The utility of the CAMS for an Australian child and induce alcohol abuse, increase stress, depression and adolescent mental health sample is discussed. anxiety, and decrease mental and physical health. There is little research currently available with regard The Australian standardisations of the WISC-IV, to working in remote locations and even less WIAT-II and CELF-4 specifically relating to working in Cape York. Results HANNAN, TJ.(University of Western Sydney) showed no significant differences between the officers [email protected] and spouses in the remote group and either the rural or metropolitan control groups. The implications of he Australian adaptation and co-standardisation these findings are discussed. Tof the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), the Wechsler Individual

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Evaluating curriculum change Achievement Test – Second Edition (WIAT-II), and HARRIS, L. (University of Sydney) the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals – [email protected] Fourth Edition (CELF-4) provided comprehensive normative and clinical data for these measures, along ealth science education in Australia has with the opportunity to examine cross-cultural Hundergone significant change in the last two differences. This paper reviews the Australian decades. Generic undergraduate programs have adaptation of the three instruments and the proliferated and many professional preparation methodology of the co-standardisation process. The programs have moved to a graduate entry mode. standardisation revealed differences between These changes have occurred in the context of Australian and US participants on these tests, with international pressure for consistent higher education Australian children obtaining higher average raw qualifications and industry pressure to prepare scores on the intelligence. language, reading and graduates with a range of ‘generic’ workplace skills. spelling measures, but lower average scores on This paper describes curriculum evaluation in a three written arithmetic and written expression. Cultural year generic undergraduate degree in health sciences.

144 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

The evaluation was designed to provide ongoing enhance their own experience of the tasks and by monitoring of a range of criteria to allow highlighting the processes operating in the responsiveness to feedback, embedding in standard counselling relationship. processes to ensure sustainability, and generalisation to other courses. Data were collected from surveys, Systematic case studies of four depressed young interviews, focus groups, mapping, and existing women counselled with Process-Experiential university records concerning: academics who design Emotion-Focussed Therapy (PEEFT) and deliver curriculum; students who receive and HARTE, M. (La Trobe University) interpret the curriculum; characteristics of individual [email protected] units of study; financial resources to deliver the curriculum; and the policy and industry framework rocess-Experiential Emotion-Focused Therapy in which the curriculum is situated. Early findings P(PEEFT) is an evidenced-based, manualised, indicate that the information collected for the experiential therapy developed by Les Greenberg, evaluation has already influenced learning and Robert Elliott and Laura Rice from the mid 1980s, teaching practices, particularly concerning assessment that emphasises the quality of the client-therapist and feedback. The challenges for implementing the relationship and offers efficient techniques to assist evaluation, particularly managing stakeholder clients to deal with emotional experience in the expectations, will be discussed, as will the present moment. Experiential treatments have been implications for education and training in found to be effective with depression, anxiety and psychology. trauma in adults. The research presented in this paper investigated in-therapy experiences and treatment Process-Experiential Emotion-Focused Therapy effects of four severely depressed young women (aged (PEEFT) supervision “in mode” 20 to 26) counselled with PEEFT. Specifically, this study had been designed to investigate change HARTE, M. (La Trobe University) processes, using established quantitative instruments [email protected] and careful observation of work with the four young he Process-Experiential Emotion-Focused women in twelve-session treatment modules in a TTherapy (PEEFT) approach to therapy employs naturalistic setting. The expanded single case design a series of client markers or indicators of experience, allows a more interpretive approach to examining in order to direct the therapist in the choice of client change and its causes. After six sessions three effective process interventions or tasks. Traditionally, out of the four young women’s level of depression supervision in this area tends to focus on the was assessed as within the mild to moderate ranges. appropriate use of these tasks, the analysis of client All four women described major shifts in their emotional processing and the relationship developing perceptions of themselves and their world view. between the client and counsellor. While the method Finally, Grounded Theory Analysis offered a proven

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 is expressive and process-oriented, the supervision systematic method to make sense of the resultant rich experience is potentially content heavy and directive. qualitative data to provide a theory of change from As part of a PEEFT supervision group we have been the client’s perspective. exploring the method’s markers, to inform a supervision practice that is more process based. Tasks Training in Process-Experiential Emotion- such as empty chair and two-chair work are used to Focussed Therapy (PEEFT): Investigation of debrief the therapist, bring the client more to life, student experiences between 2005 and 2007 and to clarify for the counsellor those blind spots and HARTE, M., & CHONG, M. (La Trobe University) dilemmas they are experiencing in the counselling [email protected] relationship. Supervision becomes less concentrated on the unknown client’s story and more on the raining in Process-Experiential Emotion-Focused counsellor’s and supervisor’s “known” experiencing. TTherapy (PEEFT) involves experiential learning As this exploration continues, we are developing a in the form of both skill development and personal theory of supervision that effectively supports the growth via live practice in client and therapist roles. counsellor’s work with the client, by continuing to According to developers of PEEFT, learners have

145 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

described the process as an ‘existential leap-of-faith’ in These results provide insights into the aetiology of which they have to ‘jump in’ and take a chance with dysgraphia, and have implications for assessment, clients. On the one hand, training can be stressful, intervention and pedagogy in Upper Primary and anxiety provoking, and induce unrealistic Secondary literacy. expectations evoking levels of inadequacy. However, on the other hand, practicing PEEFT amounts to Learned social hopelessness: The role of learning a new way of thinking about people explanatory style in predicting social support generally, and clients specifically, and a new way of during adolescence listening and being with them that is both HEAVEN, PCL., & CIARROCHI, J. (University of professionally and personally extremely rewarding. Wollongong) The aim of the two research projects presented was to [email protected] assess trainees’ general satisfaction with their training. essimistic explanatory style has been shown to be A second research question investigated the related to depression. We hypothesized that importance of group processes, and the success of P adolescents with a pessimistic explanatory style training ‘in mode’ utilising both qualitative and would be less likely to develop supportive social quantitative methodology. Participants were past support networks. Seven hundred and nineteen students enrolled in the Master of Counselling students (351 males and 366 females; 2 unknown; Programs at La Trobe University. Part 1 involved Mean age = 12.28, SD = .49) completed an email feedback, Part 2 involved 40 past students anonymous survey in Grades 7 through 10. anonymously completing a series of pencil-and-paper Explanatory style was assessed in Grades 7 and 9, inventories and Part 3 entailed interviewing past sadness was assessed in Grades 7 through 10, and students with the resulting transcripts analysed quantity and quality of social support was assessed in utilising Grounded Theory Analysis. Grades 8, 9, and 10. Structural equation modelling Dysgraphia: Developing a test to identify students was used to conduct cross-lagged panel analyses of the who “read well but their spelling’s appalling” four waves of data. Pessimistic explanatory style predicted lower levels of social support, and lower HEATH, S., TAN, V., FLETCHER, J., & HOGBEN, J. social support from the family predicted higher levels (The University of Western Australia) of pessimistic explanatory style. Additional analyses [email protected] suggested that the effects could not be explained by ysgraphia has been used to describe difficulty sadness or by assuming that pessimistic adolescents Dwith spelling and writing that is surprising given were less liked by their peers. Pessimistic adolescents apparently sound reading. Dysgraphia could stem feel unable to influence their social worlds in positive from underdeveloped phoneme awareness, forcing ways and consequently may not take actions to students to over-rely on visual processing for literacy, develop and maintain social support networks.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 falsely extending Frith’s (1985) logographic stage. Affected students would fail to automatise skills in What helps recovery from an eating disorder: The Frith’s alphabetic stage and not progress to the final sufferer’s perspective orthographic stage. We explored this hypothesis by HELLINGS, B., & BOWLES, T. (Australian Catholic comparing phoneme awareness and literacy in 19 University) students with dysgraphia and 15 typically developing [email protected] students (aged 9 to 14); and developed a test to cant attention has been paid in the research identify use of logographic, alphabetic and literature to the perspective of eating disorder orthographic strategies. Students with dysgraphia S sufferers regarding factors they believe facilitate showed inadequate phoneme awareness and a recovery. Two models of change, the preference for visually-based skills; they were (TTM) and the Adaptive inefficient in alphabetic skills and made very poor use Change Model (ACM), each propose various factors of orthographic strategies. Discriminant analysis of theorised to facilitate change or recovery. The test results accurately classified students with current study was designed to explore whether dysgraphia and those with normal literacy (p = .97). participants consider these proposed factors to be 146 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

important in the recovery process, and if there are dementia are needed to better understand the elements of recovery not described in the TTM or development of dementia. ACM that they consider important. One hundred and eighty six (179 female) recovered and recovering Body image ideals of thinness and muscularity for eating disorder sufferers were asked about what they self and others believe helps someone recover from an eating HENZEN, L., & KING, RM. (Deakin University) disorder. Participants’ responses contained 419 [email protected] response units, which were coded and categorised into factors of the TTM and ACM by four trained ody image ideals for both genders now raters. Inter-rater reliability, using Krippendorff’s Bincorporate leanness and muscularity alpha, was poor for the TTM (Į=0.47) and ACM dimensions. Sociocultural theory proposes that (Į=0.53), indicating eating disorder sufferers do not internalisation mediates the impact of exposure to describe change in the same manner as the models. societal body shape ideals disseminated in the media Subsequent content analysis of participants’ responses on body dissatisfaction. Using Fallon and Rozin’s revealed factors participants believe to be helpful to figural stimuli paradigm, current ideals for leanness recovery, such as support from others, awareness and and muscularity for the self and others were expression of one’s thoughts and feelings, and investigated. The impact of internalisation of societal developing acceptance and responsibility for oneself. body ideals on body expectations of the opposite gender was also investigated. Ninety-five males and Personality changes and the occurrence of 106 females aged between 18 and 30 used separate dementia figural stimuli sets varying in muscularity and leanness to report their perceptions of the body shape HELMES, E. (James Cook University), & OSTBYE, T. matching their current, ideal, most attractive in the (Duke University) [email protected] opposite sex and most attractive to the opposite sex. Media consumption, internalisation and body shape revious reports have suggested that personality expectations of the opposite sex was also assessed. Pchanges are associated with the development of While female and males’ body image concerns were dementia, notably increased social isolation and primarily related to leanness and muscularity, passivity in people later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s respectively, both were important to both genders. disease. Here data from the first two waves of the Consumption of leanness-related media was Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) are associated with leanness internalisation for both used to evaluate differences in personality genders. However, consumption of muscularity or characteristics between 99 people with dementia and leanness-related media was unrelated to body 270 controls assessed to be cognitively intact. Ratings dissatisfaction for either gender. Females’ body on seven variables from the Cambridge Examination dissatisfaction and both genders’ internalisation of

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX) at body image ideals were related to expectations of the CSHA-1 by proxy informants for the person being opposite sex. rated were compared for normal controls and the group diagnosed with dementia five years later in The developmental structure of the therapists’ CSHA-2. Most of the sample was female (63.1%), thinking and their experience of building the with a mean age of 77.5 years (SD = 6.44) and a mean therapeutic alliance of 9.4 years of education (SD = 4.19). Personality HERTZOG, B., JOYCE, M., & HAMMOND, S. changes were twice as common in the dementia (Australian Catholic University) group as in normal controls, with aggravation of [email protected] premorbid personality features, and changes in mood also being more common, while other personality he psychological development of therapists and factors did not differ between groups. These results Tits association with their experience in building are at odds with some earlier studies, suggesting that and maintaining a therapeutic alliance was explored further studies of people in the early stages of using a constructivist developmental approach. Eight female psychologists participated in two semi-

147 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

structured interviews: The Therapeutic Alliance is an effective intervention for treating amphetamine Interview, and The Subject-Object Interview, which use. Thus, the aim of this research is to establish explored their underlying epistemological whether a web-based CBT intervention is effective in framework. Five themes salient to the therapists’ treating amphetamine use and its associated harms. experience of the therapeutic alliance were derived - This presentation will report on the current status of Expectations of Supervision, Authentic Self, web-based interventions and describe the Values/Goals, Managing Risks, and Self-Care. development of a web-based brief intervention for Therapists were found to vary in their level of amphetamine use. cognitive complexity with Subject-Object Scores ranging from 3rd order to post 4th order structure. Managing the physical and psychological toll on Cognitive development was found to be associated firefighters with therapists’ experience of the therapeutic alliance. HOLGATE, A., & CLANCY, D. (Human Safety A model of therapists’ development based on their Systems Pty. Ltd.) cognitive development describes four types of [email protected] therapists - The Caring Listener, The Self-Observant he demands of fireground operations challenge Therapist, The Self-Aware Therapist, and The effective leadership. This paper addresses Holistic Therapist. It was concluded that the task of T findings from several studies investigating the constructing a beneficial therapeutic alliance requires physical and psychological stressors experienced by complex cognitive structure. Therapists who do not firefighters. Previous research suggests that about have fully fourth order thinking struggle to meet this 50% of volunteer firefighters experience a near-miss demand. This has important implications for the incident during operations at some time. Data from treatment that clients receive as well. firefighters showed that those deployed to the fireline Recommendations are made for changes in the during the 2006/7 season worked a mean shift length conceptualisation of clinical competence, and in the of 20 hours. Those who worked night shift selection of clinical supervisors by governing bodies. experienced particularly heavy workloads, and ‘Beating the rush’: A web-based intervention for averaged about 3-4 hours sleep between shifts. amphetamine use Although the firefighters reported satisfaction with their experience overall, interviews revealed a typical HIRAKIS, E., & CASEY, L. (Griffith University) pattern of readjustment following deployment [email protected] wherein firefighters had to recover from the heavy lthough the number of Australians using physical and emotional toll of their deployment and Aamphetamines has stabilised, the number of reintegrate into every-day life. Interview data people using amphetamines remains high and the indicated that many staff in leadership roles adopted a incidence of harms associated with amphetamine use “sink-or-swim” approach to firefighter recovery and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 continues to increase. Research has shown face-to- that debriefing following deployment was conducted face delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to on an ad hoc basis. The best predictor of effective be an effective intervention for the treatment of fireground leadership was recent experience in a amphetamine use. Recent literature has shown CBT leader role on the fireground. It seems that agencies interventions delivered via the Internet effectively need to broaden the scope of the fireground leader treat substance use including alcohol and tobacco use. role to be more actively concerned with the physical Web-based interventions provide an innovative way and psychological well-being of firefighters under of disseminating evidence-based treatment to clients their command, both during and after operations. who may be unwilling or unable to present for face- to-face treatment as this form of treatment delivery has been found to reduce barriers that are associated with face-to-face treatment. Despite evidence to suggest the usefulness of web-based interventions in treating substance use, no previous research has investigated whether CBT delivered via the Internet

148 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Organisational and occupational decision making: belongingness and subsequent aggressive behaviour. ‘Baby Boomers’ - retire or retain? The association between social exclusion, suicidal behaviour, and violent behaviour is reviewed. HOLIAN, R. (RMIT University) [email protected] Specific reference is made to the violent and fatal shootings in North American and European schools he abolition of mandatory retirement in many in order to provide an in-depth examination of the TAustralian organisations created new vocational relationship between rejection and aggression. In choice dilemmas. With early ‘Baby Boomers’ (born addition, the improvement of social connectedness 1946-1964) in their 60s, individuals and organisations and belongingness status is proposed as a means of are considering how to retain productive changing aggressive behaviour, particularly within employment and employees. The APS has published the school setting. Finally, the current paper findings of a 2007 survey on attitudes towards ageing attempts to highlight the need for understanding and which challenged previous negative assumptions. The developing psychological assessment for evaluating acceptance of age 65 as the normal time to cease full- the level of school threat as well as at risk individuals. time employment can no longer be taken for granted. Retirement can be a stage in work transition. Psychological support for sworn and unsworn Emerging issues include the gendered nature of staff dealing with explicit materials ageism, deciding financial readiness, and planning HORVATH, H. (Australian Federal Police) retirement activities. Offering redundancies to older [email protected] workers as ‘early’ retirement is increasingly viewed as discrimination. Stereotypes about older workers he internet has provided a vehicle to facilitate the interest and ability to learn new skills are also being Tdistribution of illegal and explicit materials to a questioned. Government and community wider audience than was previously possible. This perceptions still contain mixed messages: our has opened up a new range of criminal activity to shrinking labour force cannot support an ageing which law enforcement has been required to respond. population; skilled older workers need to be retained This activity includes the distribution of child to maintain productivity; older workers should pornography and extremely violent material, and the “[expletive deleted]- off” to allow career paths for investigation of such crimes involves exposing staff to ‘Generation X’; and retired people have a right to this disturbing material on a regular basis. There is have a well earned rest. This paper will cover currently no available research on the long term preliminary findings from a current study of the effects of viewing such material. This paper will experiences of a group of Australians aged 55 and discuss the model that psychologists within the over. Australian Federal Police have developed to support staff working in this area. Topics to be covered Changing aggressive behaviour in schools through include selection and suitability, ongoing monitoring,

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 increasing levels of belongingness training, development of best practice, including a discussion of qualitative data that has informed the HORNSBY, Z., & BOWLES, T. (Australian Catholic University) formulation of same, and interagency liaison. [email protected] An investigation of the impact of psychological aumeister and Leary (1995) reviewed an trauma on the neuropsychological functioning of Babundance of evidence that suggested the need to school aged children belong is a fundamental human striving. When this HOSFORD, DJ., & STUART, AD. (University of need is thwarted and an individual experiences social Johannesburg, ) exclusion, a variety of negative consequences emerge. [email protected] Amongst these consequences is an increase in aggressive behaviour, poor self-regulation, and europsychological investigations of decreases in prosocial activity. The current paper Npsychologically distressed adults have shown attempts to conceptualise the proposed causal deficits in memory, learning, and attention. relationship between insufficient levels of However, similar studies on children are lacking,

149 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

thus the aim of this study was to ascertain to what test measures relating to self-esteem, purpose in life, extent children exhibit neuropsychological coping and reduced gambling behaviour. dysfunction after psychological trauma. Furthermore, because of the high incidence of violent The assessment and upgrade of Practice crime in Johannesburg, South Africa, this study was Management Standards within a university-based able to assess a much higher number of children than clinical training unit previous studies. The Children’s PTSD scale was used HUMPHREYS, L. (University of Western Sydney) to assess whether the participants met a full or sub- [email protected] clinical PTSD diagnosis. A computerised neuropsychological test battery (CNS Vital Signs) he Private Practice Management Standards was administered. The neuropsychological profiles of T(PPMS) for Psychology Self-Assessment trauma-exposed groups were compared to a group of Instrument (APS, 2007) can be used to provide a controls using various statistical methods. The structured method for evaluating practice preliminary results are very interesting, showing management standards in university-based Clinical differences between the groups in certain aspects of Training Units. The PPMS was administered within neuropsychological functioning. In addition, it seems the Clinical Training Unit of the University of that children previously exposed to trauma, but not Western Sydney, and the results of this self meeting all PTSD criteria may also suffer assessment process suggested directions for impairments of neuropsychological functioning. The improvement in practice management procedures. study includes a qualitative component; several Over the next six months a series of quality participants were interviewed, in order to gain an in- improvements in practice management processes depth understanding of the ways in which children were implemented, and the PPMS was readministered interpret their own experiences of trauma. The with improvements registered across all areas. Some results are interpreted against a backdrop of existing areas, however, remained in need of further upgrade, literature on the consequences of trauma on the and it is anticipated that the annual administration of neuropsychological functioning of children. the PPMS will allow these performance indicators to be monitored in order to ensure an eventual uniform Brief integrative therapy for problem gambling: improvement across all standard areas. The application of a new treatment method The biological origins of well-being: Investigating HOSKING, G., DEIGHTON, R., MORRIS, D. & the relationships between temperament, character MACNAB., F. (The Cairnmillar Institute) strengths and resilience [email protected] HUTCHINSON, A., STUART, AD., & PRETORIUS, his paper discusses the application of a HG. (University of Johannesburg) Tstructured, time-limited, and integrated [email protected]

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 treatment program for problem gambling. Drawing from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, nvestigating positive psychological functioning, existential and positive psychology, this method aims Iincluding salutogenesis and fortigenesis (sources of to explore factors that have led the individual to health, strength, resilience) is becoming as important gamble excessively. The method views gambling as a as researching pathogenesis (sources of illness) has symptom of underlying and unresolved concerns, and been in the field of psychology. Researchers have therefore aims to identify these concerns that give identified specific strengths that contribute to overall rise to the gambling behaviour. The paper will psychological well-being. Whether or not certain discuss the rationale and aims for the method and characteristics can be attributed to nature or nurture outline the session by session structure of the is the cause of much debate, such as in the field of approach. In addition, it will discuss the results of a epigenetics. The current study aims to contribute to recent study where the method was applied to a an explanation of how people can develop and population of individuals who identified themselves maintain psychological well-being by investigating as gambling too much. In particular, the results will possible biological origins of positive psychological be discussed in relation to a number of pre and post- characteristics. The aims of this study were twofold;

150 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

firstly, to investigate biological origins of gerotranscendence. A critical analysis of the research psychological well-being by exploring the literature will be presented to demonstrate a synthesis relationship between temperament, character between the human-animal bond and Ericksonian strengths and resilience in a large diverse South principles of life-span development in order to African sample (N=1000), and secondly, to explain and validate the consuming passion some investigate relationships between character strengths humans feel towards their companion animals. and resilience in order to ascertain whether or not specific strengths are associated with resilience. Four Getting in tune with the psychology of musical self-report measures were used; Zuckerman-Kuhlman performance Personality Questionnaire for temperament, Values IEVLEVA, L. (University of Technology, Sydney), & in Action Scale for character strengths, and the Sense TERRY, PC. (University of Southern Queensland) of Coherence Scale and Resilience Scale to measure [email protected] salutogenesis/resilience. Canonical correlations and he performance demands placed upon musical multiple regression analysis indicate statistically performers are somewhat different to those significant relationships between certain biologically T impinging upon athletes. In the case of music, not based temperament traits, character strengths and only is the performer aiming for technical perfection, resilience. These results have implications for but also for artistic expression and interpretation that intervention, including developing and nurturing elicits an optimal response from the audience. Also, individuals’ character strengths thereby enhancing the standards for excellence are not as clear cut as in their capacity for resilience and overall psychological sport, which adds to the ambiguity and tends to well-being. increase the stress for performers. Further, musical Old friends: The human-animal bond in performers may, in some instances, be required to Ericksonian old age provide one-on-one auditions with record company executives in order to win recording contracts; a HUTTON, V. (Monash University) situation that is notoriously anxiety-inducing. Sport [email protected] psychology strategies have been documented to apply ompanion animals have played an important across a range of musical genres, from opera to Crole in the lives of humans throughout history. alternative rock, and for a variety of purposes related Theories such as Bowlby’s (1982) attachment theory to performance, including performance anxiety and and Bronnfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological theory have other blocks to creative expression, group dynamics attempted to explain the human-animal bond, a bond and communication issues, and to promote flow, for that makes no economic sense and sees some pets example, during improvisation sessions among jazz elevated to human status as surrogate friends or musicians. This paper will (a) provide a brief children. In this paper Erickson’s theory of overview of theory and research applied to music, (b)

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 psychosocial development is adopted as a framework present a range of applications related to musical within which to explore this enduring human-animal performance, and (c) provide a case study of a singer- bond during later stages of life. ’s eighth songwriter whose traumatic personal experiences stage of development and Joan Erikson’s (Erikson & provided the creative basis for her lyrics and musical Erikson, 1997) proposed ninth stage, describe delivery. negative components of old age, including uncertainty about status and role, and feelings of Comparing the self ratings and supervisor’s rating loneliness and uselessness. These components can of work criteria across two studies erode basic strengths achieved during earlier IZADIKHAH, Z., & JACKSON, C. (University of psychosocial crises and threaten successful resolution Queensland) of final life stages. Companion animals may hold the [email protected] potential to reverse emerging dystonic elements of t is a widely accepted idea that approach/appetitive old age and promote systonic elements of security, Iand avoidance/aversive systems are central love, trust and child-like vitality important for the concepts in the understanding of human behaviour. achievement of wisdom and spiritual In the current research we have portrayed the 151 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

behavioural approach system as the attitude towards components of the additional lines. Finally, they the importance of reward and therefore examined the suggest that apparent length is a contextual function, moderating effect of a rewarding climate on this with target extents continuing to be affected by construct. The first aim of this study was to test the proximate, but not co-joined lines. These results offer assumption that the relationship between attitude much scope for an understanding of the Müller-Lyer towards the importance of reward as -an approach illusion, and have substantial implications for construct- and job satisfaction is moderated by a theories of distal spatial perception generally. rewarding climate. The second aim was to investigate whether there is a difference between self ratings and On dangerous ground: Leadership and safety at supervisor’s ratings in this regards. Specific wildfires hypotheses were tested with two data sets. Group JOHNSON, C., ELLIOTT, G., & OMODEI, M. (La one consisted of 800 people who have part time and Trobe University) casual jobs in different organisations and the second [email protected] group consisted of 117 people with the same ffective fireground management and leadership condition of study one but with supervisor ratings of are crucial to the generally good record of fire job satisfaction. Results of hierarchical moderated E fighting organisations in maintaining safety and regression provide support for the hypothesis. There managing the risks that are inherent in a hazardous are interactions between the Behavioural Approach domain. The aim of the current Safe Decision System and a rewarding climate in the prediction of Making and Behaviour project was to investigate job satisfaction. Although, in a low rewarding human factors that have the potential to compromise climate the pattern of the relationship between the safety and leadership on the fireline. Interviews were Behavioural Approach System and a rewarding conducted with 120 fire agency personnel (career and climate is different between self ratings and volunteers) in leadership roles at wildfires. Analyses supervisor ratings of job satisfaction. of these interviews identified numerous challenges to The horizontal and vertical components of effective leadership, and also the strategies that leaders apparent length: Distal spatial perception and the adopted to manage difficulties associated with their Müller-Lyer illusion tasks. The complex, sometimes chaotic, conditions of initial fire response were often managed by self- JAYASINGHE, IK., & DAY, RH. (La Trobe University) monitoring and a range of metacognitive self-control [email protected] processes involving arousal and affect regulation, and espite more that a century of investigation, the managing information processing. Managing the Dpsychophysical foundations of the Müller-Lyer motivation, fatigue and boredom of subordinates in illusion and its relation to everyday veridical unpleasant environments was also identified as an perception remain unexplained. In this context, this important leadership skill, as was prioritising and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 study explored the perception of line length across anticipating future developments when time and series of angles in four computer-based experiments. resources were limited. Some leaders adopted an Experiment 1 explored the perception of a single line; informal mentoring role for less experienced Experiments 2 and 3 examined the apparent length of subordinates. Identifying and better understanding a line when co-joined to another line; Experiment 4 how effective fireground leaders adapt to the investigated the perception of length when a line was challenges inherent in their role will assist the proximate to but not joined with another line. Taken development of these skills for future leaders. together, the results of these experiments indicate that the apparent length of a line varies as an additive Evaluation of the Swin-eCounselling service: One function of its horizontal and vertical components, year following implementation with the vertical component scaled by a ratio of JOHNSTON, M., BARI, M., BATES, G., COOK, R., & horizontal-to-vertical. Further, they suggest that the CRAFTI, N. (Swinburne University) presence of additional co-joined lines systematically [email protected] alter the apparent length of a target extent, according nline Counselling has received increased to a scaled contribution of the horizontal and vertical Oattention, much of it positive. This paper 152 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

presents the results from a one year post- Paediatric medical traumatic stress: Combining implementation evaluation of Swinburne the Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire and University’s new online counselling service, Swin- heart rate to identify children at risk eCounselling. The evaluation involved two KENARDY. JA., OLSSON, KA., DE YOUNG, AC. stakeholders: Service Users, that is, the students of (University of Queensland), & SPENCE, SH. (Griffith Swinburne University of Technology and TAFE; and University) Service Providers, that is, Swinburne Counsellors and [email protected] Psychology Clinic students participating in the delivery of Swin-eCounselling. More than half of the his study investigated the utility of combining students surveyed were aware of Swin-eCounselling, Tthe Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire with nearly a third of those having visited the (CTSQ, Kenardy, Spence, & Macleod, 2006) and website, but only a small number having submitted a children’s heart rate (HR; emergency department and question to Ask Swin-eCounselling. The small sample 24 hour post admission) to identify children likely to size meant that the effectiveness of correspondence develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at 1 and 6 months post-injury. Children with an online counsellor could not be reliably determined, however, all participants found the completed the CTSQ within 2 weeks of injury. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Anxiety responses they received to be helpful. A number of recommendations are made for possible Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (Silverman improvements to the Swin-eCounselling website, its & Albano, 1996), for 79 children aged 7-16 years. A associated promotion, and future additions to the combination of the CTSQ plus HR (CTSQ-HR) was website are discussed. On the whole, the service better than the CTSQ alone or HR alone at providers appeared to enjoy participating in Swin- identifying children likely to develop PTSD eCounselling and felt well supported in their roles, symptoms. These findings suggest the CTSQ-HR screen may increase identification of children who with some suggestions made for improvements to existing procedures. This paper provides helpful are likely to develop PTSD symptoms, enabling the development of targeted prevention programs. suggestions for other institutions/organisations that might be considering an online counselling presence. Risk factors for suicidal ideation within veteran Fitting the pieces together: Gay men's body versus non-veteran populations dissatisfaction KENT, L., & SCOTT, W. (Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service) KANE, G. (Independent Practice) [email protected] [email protected] ecent decades have seen an increase in the he aetiology of body image distortions and number of international military operations. associated eating and exercising behaviours R T Veterans of such operations are often exposed to Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 involves many cultural and societal forces. Gay men's stressful and/or traumatic events, which may result body image distortions and associated behaviours, in associated mental health issues. This study cognitions and emotions are typically examined from examined factors impacting suicidal ideation amongst two distinct paradigms: anorexia/bulimia and veteran and non-veteran populations. Participants muscularity. Much of the literature and research included 449 male veterans, 65 female veterans, 351 findings has compared gay men and lesbians with male non-veterans, and 407 female non-veterans aged heterosexual men and women, and have tended to 16-83 years (M = 35.29), who completed a self-report feminise gay men and masculinise lesbians body questionnaire measuring veteran status, mood state, image issues. This brief forum will outline an substance use, exposure to trauma, and general life integrated framework that incorporates the disparate satisfaction. Results of regression analyses revealed research findings in relation to gay men’s body image differences in factors predicting the level of suicidal distortions through the lens of a practicing clinician. ideation amongst veterans versus non-veterans. The study’s implications and recommendations for future research will be discussed.

153 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

On the frontline: A qualitative study of mental Sudanese residents of Brisbane participated in focus health practices with culturally and linguistically groups. They were asked to describe their stresses as a diverse (CALD) clients result of migration as well as the positive changes in their lives. The thematic content analyses indicated KHAWAJA, N., & LATHOPOLOUS, P. (Queensland University of Technology) identity issues, loss of roles and authority, conflict of [email protected] roles, disintegration of their values and family systems as some of the acculturative stresses. They he current study explored the contemporary also described a range of positive experiences, such as Tmental health practices with culturally and self development and opportunities for education and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients. A employment, improved living standard and a sense of phenomenological qualitative design was utilised, empowerment. However, short comings of the employing snowballing techniques to recruit a sample current services were noted and suggestions to of participants (N=15) who had a minimum of 12 improve these systems were suggested by the months experience with service provision to CALD participants. clients, from a range of professional backgrounds including: social work, psychology, counselling, Development and validation of the Clinging Scale counselling psychology and psychiatry. Thematic KIM, E-H (Chungbuk National University, South Korea) content analysis of interview transcripts was [email protected] facilitated by NVivo software which aided the researcher in the identification and coding of themes he present study was to develop and validate the reflecting the lived experiences of participants, as TClinging Scale. ‘Clinging’ is defined as a they manifested within and across interviews. psychological condition with a lack of now-ness, Findings highlighted the importance of practitioner flexibility and detachment. In Study 1, the Clinging awareness and skills over cultural knowledge, and Scale with 36 items belonging to 6 different factors suggested that respect and rapport could compensate was developed. Study 2 was conducted to validate for a lack of cultural knowledge. Furthermore, (construct validity and criterion-related validity) the findings discovered that the importance of Clinging Scale. As a result of Study 2, the Clinging practitioners knowing where to find cultural Scale appeared to be valid and its validity was found information as it is required was a priority, rather to be generalised in various groups (a non-patient than expecting to know this cultural knowledge. group, a psychiatric out-patient group, and a Findings supported concepts from existing models of Vipassana meditation discipline group), classified by cultural competence and identified concrete practices their psychological health and ability to adapt. associated with these constructs. This study identified that current culturally competent practices Paradigms of supervision contribute to narrowing the gap between theory and KING, R. (University of Queensland) Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 practice of cultural competence identified in the [email protected] literature, and inform directions for future research. linical supervision in psychology has been Acculturative stresses of Sudanese refugees in Cprovided within two quite different paradigms. Australia Under what might be termed the technical supervision paradigm, the primary aim is to ensure KHAWAJA, N., & MEUTER, R. (Queensland that clinical interventions are provided with fidelity University of Technology) [email protected] (e.g. per treatment manual). Supervision under this paradigm might best be understood as a form of he recent increase of the Sudanese refugees in quality assurance. Such supervision is especially TAustralia has highlighted the significance of important in the training of psychologists and in the understanding and managing the acculturative stresses management of interventions delivered in research. of this population. The present study used a Implicit in this approach is two propositions: first qualitative methodology to study the stresses as well that therapy technique is a powerful factor in therapy as the adaptation process. Twenty male and female outcome and, second that fidelity to technique is

154 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

critical to the effectiveness of technique. By contrast, having both a pessimistic and optimistic outlook under what might be termed the process supervision represents a more pragmatic and insightful view of paradigm, the primary aim of supervision is to the future. provide the therapist with a ‘thinking space’ within which to review both treatment progress and the Family planning service provision in rural therapists own experience of the therapy. Supervision Victoria: Perceptions and experiences of health under this paradigm is less clearly linked to quality professionals control and more attuned to the needs and well-being KRUSS, J., & GRIDLEY, H. (Victoria University) of the therapist. However, implicit in this process is [email protected] the proposition that there are secondary benefits for clients insofar as therapy outcomes are a function of ost women require access to family planning non-specific interpersonal factors rather than Mservices at some point in their lives. While it is technique. This paper examines the two paradigms, generally acknowledged that rural women face investigating the theoretical coherence of each and specific barriers in accessing such services, and may considering the extent to which there is an empirical travel long distances for them, little is known about foundation for underlying propositions. the impact this has on women’s health and wellbeing, or the best means to reduce such barriers. This Personality factors that influence stress and research is a two part exploration, to document and psychological distress: Optimism and pessimism develop an understanding of the facilitators and barriers to accessing family planning services KINNELL, R., GROSS, J., SMITH, N., & WARD, K. specifically within the Grampians region of Victoria. (University of Canberra) [email protected] The focus is on how such access issues affect the psychosocial health of women, their ability to make essimism has recently been proposed to be a timely decisions about continuation of a pregnancy, Pseparate factor to optimism and thus only and what can be done to decrease any barriers. This minimal research has examined their separate paper presents the findings from the first stage, which contributions to stress and psychological health. The consists of semi-structured interviews documenting present study examined the relationships between the experiences and perceptions of health pessimism and optimism (LOT-R); to investigate professionals working in the region. Part 2 of the which of these personality variables were the project documents the experiences and perceptions of strongest predictors of stress (DASS-21) and women service users themselves. This research is seen psychological distress (GHQ-12); and, to explore to have a collective benefit in providing the basis for whether stress mediates the relationship that recommendations about the design of strategies psychological distress has with pessimism and aimed at reducing any barriers identified, and optimism. One-hundred and eighty-seven male and promoting rural women’s reproductive health.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 female university students completed questionnaires that measured optimism, pessimism, stress and Examining limits of confidentiality in real-life psychological distress. We found support for consultations: Concerns and considerations optimism and pessimism being related but LAMONT-MILLS, A., & CHRISTENSEN, S. independent factors. Other first order correlations (University of Southern Queensland) showed that optimism (r = -.48) and pessimism (r = [email protected] .31) were significantly related to stress. Standard multiple regression analyses revealed that optimism his paper examines how confidentiality is was the strongest predictor of stress (9% of the Tdiscussed in real-life consultations. The variance) and psychological distress (7% of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics variance). Stress partially mediated the relationships states that clients are to be informed about the legal that psychological distress had with optimism, and limits of confidentiality prior to engaging in pessimism. Our results point towards a possible psychological counselling and repeated when buffering impact upon pessimism on younger required. Training in confidentially is also an peoples’ mental and physical health. We argue that accreditation requirement for Honours, Masters, and

155 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Professional Doctorate programs. However little results have revealed strong relationships between research has examined how limits of confidentiality motives and health, in particular, between nAch. and are introduced and negotiated within real-life coping, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and consultations. An initial consultation between a cognitive failures. Furthermore, associations between client and a provisionally registered psychologist was nAffil. and adverse medical conditions such as cancer used as the data for this paper. Discursive analysis and stroke have been discovered. Further results will revealed that whilst the psychologist complied with be presented, and implications for research will be her professional obligation by informing the client of discussed. the limits of confidentially before counselling began, the way in which the psychologist enacted this made Development of a survey that supports two, three it difficult for the client to ask questions or seek and five meta-categories of leadership behaviour clarification about these limits. Further, when the LANGFORD, PH., & FONG, Y. (Macquarie psychologist explicitly asked for client confirmation University) of understanding and acceptance of these limits, [email protected] exactly what the client confirmed and accepted is he present paper reports the development of a unclear. Given that breaches of confidentiality are leadership survey that contains lower-order registration board matters, this lack of clarity and T factors representing a broad range of commonly limiting of client interaction is concerning. researched leadership behaviours, as well as higher- Discussion will note the limits of this data along with order factors that support recently proposed “meta- the utility of examining confidentiality within real- categories” of leadership behaviour. Research into life consultations. leadership, assessment, and development of leaders, Motives and health continues to be hampered by the lack of a broad- ranging measure of leadership behaviour. In a recent LANGAN-FOX, J., CANTY, JM., & SANKEY, M. review Yukl (2006) proposed three “meta-categories” (Swinburne University) of leadership behaviours (task-oriented behaviour, [email protected] relations-oriented behaviour and change-oriented hat is the relationship between individuals’ behaviour) and compared some of the major Wimplicit motives (McClelland, Koestner, & leadership assessment tools against twelve categories Weinberger, 1989) and their health? The present of behaviour within the three meta-categories. All study investigated the relationship between the Big commonly used tools were found to only cover part, Three implicit motives – need for achievement and not all, of a broad range of leadership behaviours. (nAch.), need for power (nPow.), and need for The present paper analyses ratings of 3730 leaders affiliation (nAffil.) – and health. Previous research has drawn from a survey originally developed to support demonstrated that such implicit measures can be 360-degree leadership assessment. The survey covers a

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 stronger predictors of long-term behavioural wide range of leadership behaviours including, among outcomes than self-report measures (McCelland, others, the categories of Vision & Inspiration, 1985). Indeed, it has been demonstrated that high Intellectual Stimulation, Time Management, Quality nPow. is associated with a wide range of adverse Focus, Communication, Recognition, Developing health outcomes (Winter, 1992). Moving beyond Others, and Stress Management. Using cross- these well documented relationships, the present validated exploratory and confirmatory factor authors propose that all three motives offer valuable analyses, the lower-order behaviour categories were and insightful information regarding health confirmed, and a higher-order factor structure outcomes. This proposition was tested via analysis of supporting Yukl’s meta-categories was found. the Eugene-Springfield Community Sample which is Implications for both leadership research and practice based at the Oregon Research Institute. This sample are discussed. (N = 757) completed a series of measures including such measures as: the Comprehensive Health Survey, Health-Related Coping Styles, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, and Cognitive Failures. Preliminary

156 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Proactive coping and proactive aggression in Emerging adulthood in Australia: The role of children psychosocial factors

LARKINS, G. (University of Melbourne) LEDERMAN, M., & GALLIGAN, R. (Swinburne [email protected] University of Technology) [email protected] here is considerable concern in our community Tin general and in the educational community in merging adulthood is a period of development particular at the many and varied manifestations of Ebridging adolescence and young adulthood. This aggression by young people of school age. Two types study examined the period of emerging adulthood for of aggression, reactive and proactive, have been 323 Australian university educated 20-29 year olds identified. While reactively aggressive students score without children via an online self-report higher on maladaptive coping, anger and negative questionnaire. Six groups of participants with thinking, proactively aggressive students do not differing profiles of ratings on the dimensions of appear to be different to their nonaggressive peers. In emerging adulthood were identified using a clustering an effort to understand and support proactively procedure. The six groups, Emerging Adults, Idealist aggressive students, this research looked at the Achievers, Adults, Calm Carers, Foreclosed, and relationship of proactive aggression to; proactive Conflicted Diffused, were then compared for coping, anxiety, values and leadership skills, and differences in their life goals, identity formation, and evaluated some current programs to reduce psychological distress and well-being. Implications for aggression in the light of findings. the counselling of young people who are distressed during this life-stage are discussed. The role of illness perceptions in sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction in lupus The structure and clinical relevance of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) amongst LEDERMAN, L. (La Trobe University), LINDNER, H. adolescents (Australian Psychological Society), & GREENWOOD, KM. (RMIT University) LEESON, P., CIARROCHI, J., & HEAVEN, PCL. [email protected] (University of Wollongong) [email protected] he purpose of this study was to investigate the Trole of illness perceptions in sleep disturbance his study investigated the structure and validity and daytime dysfunction in individuals with lupus. Tof the PANAS amongst Grade 10 students. One hundred and fifty-four participants completed a Study 1 (388 boys; 386 girls) showed that adolescent questionnaire booklet comprised of a Lupus Medical affective experience can be structured in terms of and Symptoms Questionnaire designed by the positive affect, fear, nervousness, sadness, guilt, and researchers, the Illness Perception Questionnaire- anger. This structure was replicated within boys and Revised, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. girls. Study 2 (43 boys, 53 girls) showed that the affect Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Multiple regression analyses revealed that individuals subscales were related in expected ways to accepted who perceived lupus as having serious consequences measures of adolescent anxiety and depression. Guilt tended to have increased sleep disturbance. in particular was one of the most powerful predictors Individual’s daytime dysfunction was predicted by of depression and of aspects of anxiety. We discuss perceptions of lupus as having serious life the implications of these findings for clinical practice. consequences and being a chronic condition. Additionally, it was found that negative mood was Risk assessment in child abuse: Structured and indirectly related to sleep problems. The current clinical assessment compared results indicated the need for psychological LENNINGS, CJ. (University of Sydney), & interventions to reduce sleep disturbance and daytime BRUMMERT, H. (Macquarie University) dysfunction resulting from dysfunctional illness- [email protected] related thoughts and negative mood in individuals hild abuse assessments are often critical evidence with lupus. Cin Children’s Court and Family Court assessments. Considerable emphasis is placed on the 157 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

use of actuarial and structured risk assessment these sub-types may inform appropriate treatment approaches in other areas of forensic psychology but regimes. considerable doubt continues to dog the use of such devices within child abuse assessments. A mix of "Positive bodies: Loving the skin you're in". The factors, including the generally poor state of research outcome of a body image group program for into the predictive accuracy of child abuse adults with body image concerns assessments, lack of consistency in assessment LEWIS, V. & DEVARAJ, S. (University of Canberra) protocols and the like are contributory. The current [email protected] paper sets out a model of child abuse assessment, including the strategic use of actuarial and dynamic ody image is a person's perception of how their risk approaches and presents data on the relationship Bphysical body appears to them and includes their between actuarial and structured risk assessment and feelings and attitudes towards it. A negative body “traditional” clinical factors used in such assessments image has been shown to affect a person's mental and drawn from 170 cases. physical health and this effect is particularly strong for women who place value on their appearance. Subtyping the Borderline Personality Disorder However, the impact of body image is increasing for diagnosis: A principle components analysis of the men and therefore intervention is needed for both. A DSM-IV criteria cognitive-behavioural group intervention program was designed and implemented at the University of LEWIS, KL., & GRENYER, BFS. (University of Canberra for men and women identifying as having Wollongong) [email protected] body image concerns. The aim of the program was to educate adults about body image perceptions and here are 256 possible combinations of criteria for their origins, challenge negative beliefs and Ta DSM-IV diagnosis of Borderline Personality behaviours associated with body image and improve Disorder (BPD) to be made, and individuals are positive body image perceptions and general well- required to share only one common characteristic. being. Evaluation of the program through a pre-and Given this apparent heterogeneity, this study post questionnaire showed improvements in body examined the underlying factor structure of the satisfaction, decreases in negative behaviours DSM-IV criteria to determine whether the diagnosis associated with body image concerns, decreased body could be classified in subtypes. Further, it sought to image distress, reduced body consciousness and social enhance the clinical interpretation of any identified physique anxiety. "Positive bodies: Loving the Skin subtypes by examining their relation to comorbid You're In" is a program that has been run for men, Axis I and II conditions. In a sample of 95 adult women and parents of children of all ages who want outpatients with a primary BPD diagnosis, a principle to improve their own body image, health and well- components analysis yielded support for three being as well as that of our children. Suggestions for

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 subtypes: ‘emotional reactivity’, ‘primitive defences’, prevention and intervention are made based on the and ‘identity disturbance’. Results of logistic study's outcomes. regression analyses and general linear modelling indicated the ‘emotional reactivity’ subtype was An investigation of the training of allied health predictive of Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive professionals in chronic conditions prevention and Compulsive, Histrionic and Narcissistic Personality self-management Disorder pathology. Additionally, the ‘identity LINDNER, H., MATHEWS, R. (Australian disturbance’ subtype was predictive of Posttraumatic Psychological Society), LAWN, S., BATTERSBY, M., Stress Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder REED, R. (Flinders University), & MORRIS. S. pathology. Considered with their Axis I and II (Australian General Practice Network) associations, the ‘emotional reactivity’ subtype seems [email protected] to reflect a mild level of personality dysfunction, and s part of a larger investigation, a web-based the ‘identity disturbance’ sub-type seems to reflect a Asurvey was developed to assess the knowledge more malignant and chronic form of personality and skill of health professions in chronic conditions dysfunction. With further research, recognition of prevention and self-management. The survey was 158 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

distributed through professional associations, questionnaire methodology. Pilot workshop collegial email distribution lists, and promotion in participants included General Practitioners, professional newsletters. A total of 1168 health Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Mental health Nurses, professionals completed the survey. This represented Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists. Of the 1017 allied health professionals, 19 general 80 participants who were recruited for the pilot practitioners (GPs), 42 practice nurses, and 90 workshops, less than half (N = 37; 46%) reported that community nurses. Given the small number of they were either participating in or had previously participating GPs, this group was excluded from participated in a local professional network group. analyses. Data analyses investigated differences The data suggested that respondents found the between health professions, as well as investigating content of the case-based material used in the sessions differences between professional clusters. Six clusters to be relevant and of a high standard. Participants based on the nature and types of service provided by identified numerous benefits from attending the the profession were developed. These were nursing, groups, and expressed a strong desire for the groups educators, service/technical support, lifestyle to continue with the vast majority also indicating behaviour, physical health and psychosocial. Some that they would recommend MHIN groups to variation in knowledge and skill was found for the colleagues. different professions. The results showed that the highest level of training and understanding was A multidimensional evaluation of the new family reported among the educators and lifestyle behaviour law system groups (e.g., dieticians, diabetes educators), with the LODGE, J., KASPIEW, R., HAND, K., ALEXANDER, lowest amount of training and understanding M., WESTON, R., & GRAY, M. (Australian Institute of reported by professions offering service and technical Family Studies) support (e.g., pharmacists, audiologists). The [email protected] psychosocial group, which included psychology, he Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) showed low levels of participation in chronic Tis undertaking an evaluation of the family law conditions prevention and self-management. reforms on behalf of the Australian Government. This paper outlines the principal changes to the Mental Health Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Networks Project: A review of the pilot family law system and provides details of the comprehensive evaluation of the reforms being workshops processes and outcomes undertaken by the Institute. The introduction of the LINDNER, H., STOKES, D., MATHEWS, R. Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental (Australian Psychological Society), STITZEL, A. (Royal Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth) has brought about major Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists), changes in how family separation is managed. The COLELLA, S. (Royal Australian College of General Practice), & CASSIE, I. (Australian College of Mental amendments are part of the new package of reforms

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Health Nurses) in family law, the most significant in 30 years. The [email protected] reforms are primarily concerned with improving the outcomes for children involved in family and he Mental Health Professions Association relationship breakdowns, with a greater emphasis on project on mental health interdisciplinary T encouraging parents to take responsibility for collaborative clinical care networks workshops resolving disputes in a non-adversarial manner. The investigated an extended profession-led clinical Institute’s research program focuses on families, the network system around Australia. The aim of the service provision system, and the implementation of project was to develop a multidisciplinary training the legislation and changes to the court system. Each resource package for mental health professionals that of these components involves a series of studies, could be used as a key resource to facilitate including a large-scale national longitudinal study of collaborative workshops and foster discussion separated parents. Together, these coordinated studies regarding the implementation of collaborative will enable a composite picture based on multiple primary mental health care. The resource package perspectives to be developed. and local clinical network model were evaluated through a series of four pilot workshops, using a 159 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

We will survive: Maid to work in Singapore Time to abandon Cook and Campbell’s nomenclature to describe the validity of causal LOH, M. (University of New England), LEE, C., & RESTUBOG, S. (The University of Queensland) conclusions: Experimental methods are not the [email protected] “gold standard” for causal research n this paper, we explore the day-to-day experiences LYND-STEVENSON, RM. (Flinders University) Iof female Filipino domestic workers, their [email protected] employer-domestic relationships, coping strategies, he unified paradigm represents the biggest and psychological health. In-depth interviews were Tupheaval in the principles and practice of causal conducted with 13 women working in Singapore. research in scientific psychology for almost a century Using grounded theory, our research revealed high (Lynd-Stevenson, 2007). For example, the levels of variation, both within and between women, nomenclature developed by Cook and Campbell suggesting that the quality of domestic workers’ lives (1979) is used universally by methodologists and depends largely on the personal characteristics of researchers to describe the validity of causal their employers, rather than on any system of conclusions in scientific psychology and reflects the protection. In dealing with difficult situations, belief that experimental methods are the “gold women displayed positive and resilient coping standard” for causal research. The unified paradigm strategies which enabled them to thrive despite dictates, however, that Cook and Campbell’s restrictive and abusive life circumstances. nomenclature must be abandoned. Analysis of the unified paradigm provides the foundation for a new A partial test of a cognitive-behavioural model of nomenclature and demonstrates that experimental problem gambling methods are not the “gold standard” for causal LOO, JMY., OEI, TPS., & RAYLU, N. (The University research. The difference between Cook and of Queensland) Campbell’s nomenclature and the new nomenclature [email protected] is illustrated with examples from the research ambling and gambling problems among the literature. Chinese (includes Chinese Diaspora) have long G The construct of resilience – A model been noted and discussed. To date, no single theoretical framework has explored the complex MAGINNESS, A. (University of Tasmania) interplay of factors associated with gambling and [email protected] problem gambling (PG) among Chinese individuals. esilience concerns the ability one has to face the The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the Rchallenges of life in a manner that is essentially cognitive-behavioural component of Sharpe’s (2002) healthy and adaptive, and enables one to move on. model of PG using structural equation modelling Following a brief review of the literature, a model (SEM). Raylu and Oei’s (in press) empirical analysis Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 explaining the development of resilience will be of Sharpe’s (2002) framework found that the model presented. This model, given the complexity and assessed fit the data. Questionnaires measuring a instability of resilience as a construct, attempts to range of gambling specific variables (e.g., gambling balance the need for parsimony with that of urge and cognitions), other gambling correlates (e.g., explanatory breadth. The model identifies three core coping styles, personality traits, and psychological elements believed to enable the individual to be states) were distributed to 485 Chinese community resilient. These elements include the individual’s participants. Results of the study did not provide physiological capacity to be resilient, the ability to support for the hypothesis that the model tested respond adaptively to adverse events, and the ability would significantly fit the data. The lack of fit in the to maintain well being. Factors identified with these Chinese data indicates that some changes to the elements include individual reactivity to and recovery model should be made to accommodate to the from adverse events, the ability to be effective and Chinese population. Implications of the study and efficient in the management of adverse events, and suggestions for future research will be discussed. beliefs about the world and the self that promote well-being when exposed to adverse events. The

160 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

model has a basis within neurobiology and is framed strategies. Descriptive statistics indicated a disparity within the context of Dynamic Systems Theory. The between the teachers’ practices and best-practice, theory itself is a culmination of clinical observations with positive practice and punishment used most with what is known from the current literature and often in managing students’ difficult behaviour. the results of a qualitative study on the subjective Regression analysis indicated that the higher number experience of resilient individuals. of students per class with difficult behaviour predicted teachers’ more frequent use of referral with The subjective experience of resilience – A all students, and punishment with female students. qualitative study More years of teaching experience predicted more MAGINNESS, A. (University of Tasmania) positive practice with all students, more referral with [email protected] all students, and more punishment with female students. Higher levels of self-efficacy amongst he impetus for this study grew from teachers in regards to classroom management Tobservations in clinical practice that many predicted less use of punishment with male students. individuals survived all sorts of hardships with Finally, an exploratory evaluation of a PD program minimal distress, or with the ability to tolerate their revealed no impact of the program on teachers’ distress, and move on with their lives in a positive strategy use or self-efficacy. These results have manner. A review of the literature led to the important implications for supporting teachers to conclusions that the research investigating resilience achieve best-practice behaviour management was making minimal inroads into understanding benchmarks. what made these people different, and that the richness of who they were was being lost in the Sociocultural competency training for migrants in research process. This dissatisfaction led to the a job placement program decision to explore the construct from a phenomenological framework, and to try and MAK, AS. (University of Canberra), & BARKER, MC. (Griffith University) discover the essential elements of resilience through [email protected] analysis of the subjective experience of resilience. A qualitative study involving thirteen participants ecent migrants from culturally and linguistically identified by their peers as resilient was undertaken Rdiverse (CALD) backgrounds are often and the underlying themes of their stories were unfamiliar with the implicit social rules for effective analysed. workplace interactions vital for career search and advancement in the adopted country. Job placement Primary school teachers’ use of behaviour programs available for the unemployed may have management strategies within teacher training limited use for CALD clients unless they also receive frameworks intercultural social skills training aimed at enhancing

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 their sociocultural competency in preparation for the MAHER LIVERSAGE, L., & HAYES, L. (University of Ballarat) culturally different workplace. This paper will report [email protected] the implementation and preliminary evaluation of the EXCELL (Excellence in Cultural Experiential o assist school psychologists support teachers in Learning and Leadership) Program - as a sociocultural Tmanaging student difficult behaviour, this study competency training module - in an innovative and examined teachers’ self-efficacy and behaviour comprehensive labour market program for CALD management approaches, and evaluated a teacher migrants in Brisbane, Australia. On completion of training program. Participants comprised 91 teachers EXCELL, a sample of 101 migrant jobseekers (37% who had attended a workshop style Professional male, median age = 35 years, median residence in Development (PD) program, and 36 teachers who Australia = 2.25 years, 80% from non-English- attended a school-based PD program. The Self- speaking background) reported increases in job search Efficacy in Behaviour Management scale and the confidence and intercultural social self-efficacy, Child Behaviour Survey measured the teachers’ self- compared with their pre-training survey responses. efficacy and/or use of behaviour management Program ratings and trainers’ observations have

161 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

further indicated high levels of client satisfaction with process. During 2006 the Psychology 1 units at the the EXCELL training and its relevance to enhancing University of Tasmania underwent a large overhaul social interactions in job placements. The which aimed, among other things, to introduce both implications for future evaluation research as well as summative and formative assessment practices. This practice in employment and migrant services will be initiative was down-scaled in 2007. In order to assess discussed. engagement in the course during 2006 and 2007, we collected Student Engagement information at two Developing the Martin and Pratt Nonword time points: at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2. Reading Test Students were asked to what extent this course has MARTIN, F. (University of Tasmania) emphasised various mental activities: Memorizing, [email protected] analysing, synthesising and organising, evaluating, and applying. Generally students perceived no he Martin and Pratt Nonword Reading Test is a difference in the extent to which lower level Tsimple to administer test of student’s cognitive processes were emphasized however across phonological recoding skills, one of the key skills 2006 there was a significant increase in the extent to involved in word reading without which children, which students thought that the higher level and for that matter adults, are unable to read newly cognitive skills of evaluating information, arguments encountered words without assistance from others. or methods were emphasized. The Martin and Pratt Nonword Reading Test was developed commencing with item selection (567 Behavioural management of headache triggers: original items) early in 1995 (N=202 students plus Avoidance versus coping N=150 students). Two forms of the nonword test each containing 54 items were then produced. Test MARTIN, PR. (Monash University) [email protected] norms were gathered from students (n=863: aged 6 to 16 years). Students (n=203) were tested on one or he traditional clinical advice to both of Forms A and B and a series of 27 further Theadache/migraine sufferers is that the best way reading and cognitive tests to provide validity data. to prevent headaches is to avoid the factors that The correlations between the Martin and Pratt trigger them. Although the logic of this advice is Nonword Reading Test and other nonword reading clear, criticisms can be offered. It is not possible to tests were very high (ranging from .83 to .93) avoid all triggers and attempts to do so may prove indicating that this test is a good indicator of stressful and lead to a restricted lifestyle. The advice is students’ ability to phonologically recode and then given in a conceptual vacuum as is not based on a read nonwords. Correlations between this nonword theory of how a trigger acquires the capacity to reading test and other word reading tests are strongly precipitate a headache or how that capacity can be positive, indicating good discriminant validity. Issues extinguished, and therefore what effect this advice

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 involved in the development of this test and in its may have on the potency of the trigger factor. Finally adaptation for the United Kingdom will be discussed. the empirical support for advising avoidance is very limited. Four recent laboratory studies will be Engagement with the learning process in first-year reviewed that show avoidance of triggers leads to psychology classes sensitisation to triggers (decreased tolerance) and MARTIN, F., & ADAM, A. (University of Tasmania) exposure leads to desensitisation, in a manner [email protected] analogous to anxiety. The results suggest that one aetiological pathway to developing a headache here is a growing trend to argue that students disorder is to ‘cocoon’ oneself away from anything Texiting University with a degree of which a large that could trigger a headache thereby preventing component is Psychology, should have an learning to cope with the trigger. An argument will understanding of Psychology as a science and be able be offered that behavioural management of headache to use this base as a guide for their practice. In order triggers should adopt a coping approach rather than to attain the skills necessary to achieve this, it is an avoidance approach. important that students be engaged in the learning

162 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Non-Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling greater boys’ anxiety was. Furthermore, there was MBS item: How is it working for perinatal no significant gender difference in children’s anxiety. women? These findings, along with those of Matthewson et al (2004), suggest gender differences in children’s MATHEWS, R., & LINDNER, H. (Australian Psychological Society) anxiety do not lie in the anxiety report, but in the [email protected] factors that predict it. Each parent appears to contribute differentially to boys’ and girls’ anxiety. he introduction of the Non-Directive Pregnancy Moreover, too much support may be TSupport Counselling (NDPSC) MBS items on counterproductive in alleviating children’s anxiety. November 1, 2006 offered women (and their partner), who are in the perinatal period, an Evidence for psychological reactance in an opportunity to receive psychological support for any organisational setting concerns they are experiencing. The perinatal period MATTHIAS, T., & CAPUTI, P. (University of is from conception to 12 months post pregnancy. Wollongong) The referral to NDPSC psychology services is [email protected] through the woman’s General practitioner (GP). The APS undertook a review of the use of the NDPSC rehm (1966) described psychological reactance as MBS item and surveyed all psychologists, who are Ba motivational state, such that if a person’s eligible to use this MBS item. Unfortunately, freedom to behave as they choose is threatened in minimal referrals from GPs to psychologists have some way, then the person will become been recorded, with only 47 services being used in an motivationally aroused to either re-establish the lost 18 month period. This is in stark contrast to GPs freedom, or to ensure that there is no further loss. using an NDPSC item themselves, with 5,165 services Depending upon the relative strength of the being used with perinatal women during the same motivation compared to the person’s assessment of period. Written materials and strategies to promote likely outcomes, the person may be motivated into the value of psychology services for perinatal action. Matthias et al. (2007) argued that negative concerns have been developed by the APS. The behaviours, which contribute to the poor record of implementation of these materials will be presented. information system implementation within organisations, likely contain some element of How does the parent-child relationship account psychological reactance that may be brought about for gender differences in children’s anxiety? by threats directly or indirectly related to the implementation at hand. Empirical findings from a MATTHEWSON, M., BURTON-SMITH, R., & MONTGOMERY, I. (University of Tasmania) recent longitudinal study of an information system [email protected] implementation in an Australian manufacturing organisation support this assertion. Elements of his investigation aimed to examine the influence Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 negative behaviour directed at the information Tof the familial environment on children’s anxiety system were likely motivated by psychological by exploring the surprising and counter-hypothetical reactance generated from broader organisational findings of Matthewson, Burton-Smith and issues. Montgomery (2004). This study revealed no gender difference in children’s and parents’ reported anxiety. Effects of ADHD and medication status on Furthermore, the expected inverse relationship contingency awareness and behaviour in an between parental support received and child anxiety incidental learning task was not found. The present study aimed to replicate MATUSEWICZ, K., HUNTER, M. (University of this finding in a larger sample (60 families). In Newcastle), & PROVOST, S. (Southern Cross contrast to Matthewson et al (2004), it was found that University) the more satisfied girls were with both parents’ [email protected] support, the lower their anxiety. However, the more effective mothers felt as informational support hree groups of children participated in a simple providers and as companions to their sons, the Tincidental learning task in which an embedded contingency between pictures displayed on a 163 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

computer screen allows RT responses to a signalled in order to better understand the possible shifts in stimulus to decrease, relative to the RT of unsignalled such perceptions compared to earlier research, and to pictures. Group CONT (N=24) comprised a school- establish the current direction of lesbian and gay based normal healthy control group. The other perceptions in this regard. The findings suggest that groups, comprised of clinic-based children with a lesbian and gay community members hold diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards lesbian (ADHD) tested either while taking medication and gay parents. This may suggest both an increased (Group ADHD-On; N=15), or following a period of awareness of the numbers and positive experiences of medication washout (Group ADHD-Off; N=15). lesbian- and gay-headed households, and the gradual The three groups did not differ in either average age breakdown of heteronormativity within lesbian and or IQ. Following RT testing in 36 blocks of trials, gay communities. awareness of the contingent relation between the signal and target was assessed with a pictorial Knowledge and self-efficacy in recognising and recognition test. A smaller proportion of Groups treating depression among aged care staff ADHD-On and ADHD-Off correctly reported the McCABE, MP., MELLOR, D., & DAVISON, T. embedded contingency between pictures than Group (Deakin University) CONT, and there was no effect of medication. [email protected] However, fewer children in Group ADHD-On he current study was designed to evaluate the showed evidence for modified RT performance than knowledge, skills and self-efficacy of care in Group ADHD-Off or Group CONT, which did T providers from the perspective of professionals not differ from each other. Although needing working in the aged-care industry. Participants were confirmation in a larger-scale evaluation, these results 21 professional carers, 10 General Practitioners and 7 suggest that ADHD medication may interfere with aged-care managers. Focus groups, which involved the translation of relational knowledge into improved the completion of a semi-structured interview related performance in a behavioural task. to knowledge, recognition, confidence, referral Attitudes of lesbians and gay men towards lesbian procedures and use of screening tools for the and gay parents detection of depression, were conducted. The results showed that all groups of respondents recognised MAYES, A., McLAREN, S. (University of Ballarat), & significant gap in the knowledge and awareness of RIGGS, DW. (The University of Adelaide) depression among professional care staff working [email protected] with older people in both the community and s increasing numbers of lesbians and gay men residential care-settings. Skills in the detection and Abecome parents, it is important to understand monitoring of depression and the self-efficacy of these how such parents are perceived across a range of care staff were also seen to be a problem. The

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 communities as such perceptions are likely to impact implications of these findings in terms of training upon their experiences of inclusion and exclusion. programmes for professional carers working in the Whilst previous research has suggested that lesbian aged health care sector are discussed. and gay parents experience discrimination and stigmatisation from within heterosexual, lesbian and Outcome measurement in child and adolescent gay communities, recent Australian research has mental health: Clinician perspectives found conflicting findings in regards to heterosexual’s McDONAGH, K. (LaTrobe University)*, HAMMOND, perceptions of lesbian and gay parents. Some such SW. (Australian Catholic University), LOVE, A.*, research has identified support within heterosexual COVENTRY, N., & NURSEY, J. (Austin Health) samples for lesbian parents. Contrarily, other [email protected] research conducted with heterosexual samples has n 2003, a national outcome measurement strategy found overwhelmingly negative perceptions of Iwas implemented in all Australian mental health lesbian- and gay-headed households. The present services. This paper reports on mental health service study sought to further explore perceptions of lesbian provider perceptions of the implementation and and gay parents within lesbian and gay communities utility of outcome measurement in two metropolitan 164 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

child and adolescent mental health services mitigation strategies has been based on the (CAMHS). Participants were psychologists and other assumption that providing information regarding mental health staff (N= 14) who participated in hazards and protective measures will lead to people interviews about their experiences with outcome adopting protective measures. This paper argues that measurement. Results revealed differences in the it is not information per se that determines action, organisation of and support for outcome but how people interpret it in the context of their measurement in the two CAMHS. Key themes experience, beliefs and expectations. The present involved need for continued support by the qualitative study incorporated means-end chain organisation for outcome measurement, concerns theory (Gutman, 1982, 1997) to elicit more detailed about the workload involved in data collection and information from participants regarding their entry, and issues with obtaining timely and decision making process regarding the adoption of meaningful feedback from the outcome measures. preparation activities to minimise the effects of flooding. Means-end chain theory argues that Sexual self-esteem and well-being in women with knowledge is hierarchically arranged, with the Turner Syndrome decision making process progressing from concrete McGILLIVRAY, JA., & WARD-SMITH, R. (Deakin thoughts and actions to higher level goals that satisfy University) an individual’s enduring and long term values. It is [email protected] these values that provide the motivation to perform the particular behaviour. Interviewees were recruited he hallmark features of Turner Syndrome (TS) from towns at risk of flooding (Benalla, Victoria and are short stature and infertility due to T Launceston, Tasmania). Findings indicated that underdeveloped or absent ovaries. Relatively little is preparedness decisions are not made in isolation. understood about the psychological and emotional Through community level discourse and processes experiences of women living with this disorder. This importance is attached to natural hazards and study investigated the psychological well-being and protective measures. It is only when natural hazards sexual self-esteem of 18 women with TS, compared to are perceived as having greater salience than other a normative sample of women matched for age. threats that people are motivated to prepare for their Participants were administered the Psychological effects. Well-Being Inventory (PWBI) (Ryff, 1989), and the Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for Women (SSEI-W) Resourcing the least engaged students: What can (Zeanah & Schwarz, 1996). Women with TS alternative settings contribute? obtained significantly lower scores on the SSEI-W and the Self-Acceptance subscale (current) of the McKENZIE, V. (University of Melbourne) PWBI than women in the comparison group. These [email protected] findings suggest that women with TS may be more ainstream education programs at times cannot Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 vulnerable to lower levels of sexual self-esteem, and Mmanage the behaviour and needs of a small possibly poorer psychological well-being than subset of students. Yet engaging in education is women in general. Further empirical exploration is crucial to immediate well being and long term required. However, the need for interventions to success. This study attended to the attributes of the assist young women with TS to adjust to the group of young people referred out of the system for psychosocial impact of their condition is clearly a brief intervention, looking at their initial indicated. behaviours, and outcomes after the program. Aspects of this approach to intervention will be considered Modelling community resilience: A means-end with analysis focusing on the concepts of coping, chain theory analysis of hazard cognitions and resilience and depression. Consideration will be given preparedness to the role resources plays in coping with the McIVOR, D. (University of Tasmania) difficulties students are required to manage, in [email protected] particular the difficulties created when disengaged students need to be reconnected to the mainstream raditionally, development of natural hazard T system. 165 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Australian psychologists’ willingness to implement inclusive, and harmonious brigade. 3. A survey of their ethical decisions 1,589 volunteers found that about one third reported negatively on aspects of volunteer/paid staff McKINNON, R., & KNOWLES, A. (Swinburne University of Technology) relationships: lack of consultation; lack of respect; [email protected] unhelpful interactions. 4. Interviews with 13 senior career staff who supervised the activities of volunteer revious American research has identified that brigades suggested: (a) great variability in the quality Ppsychologists’ beliefs regarding what they should of leadership in brigades; and (b) differences among do in response to ethical dilemmas do not always staff in their approach to brigade supervision. correspond with what they say they would do. Thus Overall, the findings show: (i) the importance of in response to ethical dilemmas psychologists may be leadership as a factor to be addressed in order to Ethically Willing (their should and would responses minimise volunteer firefighter resignations; and (ii) a correspond) or Ethically Unwilling (their should and need for agencies to change how they approach issues would responses differ). The current study of leadership in relation to their volunteers. investigated ethical willingness / unwillingness in a sample of 77 Australian psychologists. Their Callous-unemotional traits in aggressive youths: responses to 10 ethical scenarios were compared with Identifying an at risk sub-group those of 52 first year psychology students. Results McLOUGHLIN, N. (University of Canterbury) showed that the psychologists sampled were [email protected] significantly more Ethically Willing than were the students. It was also found that for the psychologists allous-Unemotional (CU) traits have Ethical Willingness varied from 97% to 58% Cconsistently been found to identify a sub-group according to scenario, indicating that Ethical of particularly aggressive anti-social children. Willingness was partially dependent on the type of However, the majority of past research relies on birth ethical dilemma. The study also investigated the cohorts with a potential confound of socioeconomic reasons psychologists and students gave for their status (SES), making it difficult to identify good behaviour choices. Implications of the results for the predictors of antisocial behaviour. The present study professional acculturation of psychologists regarding uses Frick’s (2004) Inventory of CU traits and a ethical behaviour are discussed. measure of aggression (Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 6-18 (Achenbach, 2001) in order to select a sub- I quit! Leadership and satisfaction with the group of youths at risk for antisocial behaviour, and volunteer firefighter role: Resignations and compare them with other children from the same organisational responses low SES community on a range of variables including McLENNAN, J., BIRCH, A., COWLISHAW, S. & psychosocial functioning, parent discipline, and HAYES, P. (La Trobe University) emotional intelligence. One hundred and seventeen

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 [email protected] children (10-11 years) and their caregivers/parents participated; from this sample two subgroups: one nnual resignation rates for Australian volunteer- high on CU traits and aggression (High-CU/Agg Abased fire agencies are about 6% of total group: n=20) and the other low on CU traits and volunteer firefighter memberships. Four studies aggression (Low-CU/Agg group: n=74). The analyses investigated issues potentially related to leadership revealed that a high-risk group (High-CU/Agg) could and volunteer resignations. 1. On 396 exit survey be readily identified. The High-CU/Agg group returns from former volunteers, reasons given for differed significantly from the Low-CU/Agg group resigning were: Work/Family needs, 51%; Moved on a range of measures including psychosocial from the area, 38%; Age/Health issues, 28%; problems, stress management and parental Dissatisfaction with the volunteer role, 25%. The monitoring. These results support the predictive major contributor to Dissatisfaction was poor brigade validity of Frick’s research in a low SES community. leadership. 2. A survey of 514 new volunteers found that higher levels of Intention to Remain were associated with being a member of a well-led,

166 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

An investigation of protagonist processes leading scales of the MPS and on the Depression, Anxiety to in-session resolution of painful emotional and Stress Scales (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, experience during psychodrama 1995). The results indicated that those scoring high on maladaptive perfectionism also scored high on McVEA, C. (Queensland University of Technology) [email protected] psychopathology. However, adaptive perfectionism scores were not related to depression or anxiety, motional pain is experienced as a shattering of though there was a small but significant relationship Ethe sense of self and disconnection from others, between personal standards and stress. Implications and when unresolved can produce long term avoidant for therapeutic outcomes are discussed. responses to affective experiencing and interpersonal interactions, which inhibits the healing process. The Depression, loneliness and living arrangements psychodramatic construct of healing is social atom MELLOR, DJ. (Deakin University) repair, which is considered to occur through the [email protected] development of a larger perspective of the social system and greater flexibility in response. A ingle person households now comprise between multiple-case study was undertaken to build a model Sone third and one half of all households in most of protagonist (client) processes leading to in-session Western cities. In Australia there are now more resolution of painful emotional experience during single-person households than there are households psychodrama. Significant change events within 9 made up of couples living with children. It has been resolved and 6 not resolved cases were analysed using proposed that those living alone are more likely to be Elliott’s Comprehensive Process Analysis. Four lonely than those who do not, and that people who events were linked to in-session change: re- are lonely are more likely to be depressed. This experiencing and naming the core concern; activating study investigated these issues. A sample of 4436 resourcefulness; emotional release with social atom volunteer participants drawn from the Australian repair and integration. Emotional release with social Unity Well-being database completed a survey that atom repair was linked to post-session improvements included demographic information, the UCLA in interpersonal relationships and sense of self that Loneliness Scale, the DASS-21 and the Need to were maintained at three month follow-up. Belong Scale. Analyses revealed that those who live alone are neither more lonely nor more depressed Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and than those who live with others. This finding may psychopathology among Australian university be explained by the lower need to belong reported by students those living alone.

MEAD, MR., & HICKS, RE. (Bond University) “I did not ‘choke’!”: Introducing a preliminary [email protected] self-presentation model of “choking” in sport

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 his study examined the relationship between MESAGNO, C. (University of Ballarat) Tadaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and [email protected] psychopathology: depression, anxiety and stress. Research has indicated that perfectionism is a ased on recently proposed definitions, “choking multidimensional construct that may be construed as Bunder pressure” (i.e., choking) is defined as a containing both adaptive and maladaptive critical deterioration in the execution of habitual components (Bieling, Israeli & Antony, 2004; Chang, processes as a result of an elevation in anxiety levels 2003). Adaptive perfectionism relates to personal under perceived pressure, leading to substandard standards and organization, while maladaptive performance. Researchers have provided descriptive perfectionism relates to doubts about actions and choking models (i.e., self-focus and distraction concern over mistakes (cf.; the Multidimensional models) with the self-focus model receiving the most Perfectionism Scale - MPS; Frost, Marten, Lahart & empirical support, however, no one has offered Rosenblate, 1990). A total of 215 Australian explanatory models that may answer the question university students from several states were assessed “why does choking occur?” Thus, the present paper is on self-report questionnaires including on the six sub- an amalgamation of three interconnected studies that,

167 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

in part, examined the psychological characteristics of Males had significantly higher decision accuracy “choking-susceptible” athletes using qualitative scores than females with competitive pressure. interviews, which helped to develop an explanatory Implications for decision-making under pressure will model of choking. A total of 174 experienced athletes be discussed. completed three psychological inventories to purposively sample 14 choking-susceptible athletes Will universal screening for perinatal depression who participated in a series of single-case designs that in Australia be a reality by 2010? included both low- and high-pressure phases. After MILGROM, J. (The University of Melbourne) the experimental phase, participants were interviewed [email protected] about their experience and content analyses were conducted. Common choking-related themes were evin Rudd’s election promise of $85M for a increased public self-awareness, fear of evaluation/ KNational Postnatal Depression Plan to improve failure, and self-monitoring techniques. Further prevention and early detection of antenatal and qualitative cross-case analyses provided evidence for a postnatal depression has been a major achievement preliminary self-presentation model of choking that and catalyst to the work of beyondblue. This link public self-awareness, anxiety, and conveying a recommendation was based on the groundwork done positive self-presentation, which will be discussed. in 2001 by the beyondblue National Depression Initiative, which in a 4-year project evaluated the Competitive pressure and decision-making feasibility of universal screening for perinatal accuracy in a video-based simulation of soccer depression. The ability to treat depression is also a necessary pre-requisite for advocating this approach MESAGNO, C., SPITTLE, M., & McNEIL, D. and a review of treatment efficacy will be presented, (University of Ballarat) [email protected] as will the acceptability of screening. In 2007, a consortium of perinatal mental health experts around erceptual-cognitive skills and decision-making in Australia received further funding from beyondblue to Psport have typically been explored using video- develop a National Action Plan. 2008 sees further based protocols in settings where participants are not beyondblue funding, supported by the Hon Jeff exposed to the type of competitive pressures that Kennett, with the establishment of an Expert characterise a game situation. Consequently, this Working Group co-chaired by the Hon Caroline study aimed to investigate the influence of Hogg. The task is to develop a framework in competitive pressure, or competitive anxiety, on consultation with key stakeholders and government decision-making accuracy. Seventy-seven (Male=44, departments and gain national support at all levels. Female=33) undergraduate students with mean age of The results of the beyondblue public health initiative 20.16 years (SD = 3.18) were randomly assigned to an will be reviewed in the context of the debate around experimental (n=56) or control group (n=21) and screening, and the challenges of training and access to

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 completed a video–based perceptual decision-making services. The policy, training and models proposed test of 25 temporally occluded offensive soccer plays. will be reviewed. Participants in the experimental group completed the test with and without competitive pressure Attachment to God, religious openness, and conditions. Pressure was manipulated by introducing psychological health a competition for a monetary prize. Participants in MINER, M. (University of Western Sydney), & the control condition completed the test twice DOWSON, M. (Australian College of Ministry) without competition. All participants completed a [email protected] state anxiety measure prior to each test. The competition produced significantly higher cognitive here is much debate over the social implications anxiety than no competition; however, this was not Tof fundamentalist religions. At the level of the reflected in any significant differences in decision- individual there has also been debate over the making accuracy. Although not statistically psychological impacts of closed minded significant, more experienced performers tended to (fundamentalist) and open (questing) ways of being score more accurately with competitive pressure. religious. On the one hand, religious openness has

168 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

been associated with tolerance and flexibility, but on results obtained in regard to health-related quality of the other it has been associated with anxiety and life and the impact of health on daily activities. identity confusion. It has also been suggested that a person’s security of attachment to God is an How is a perfectionist created? Development and important foundation for psycho-spiritual health: validation of the Perfectionistic Anxious Rearing secure attachment to God has been related to Questionnaire psychological adjustment and emotional regulation. MITCHELL, JH., HUDSON, J., & M. RAPEE, RM. This paper presents findings of a study designed to (Macquarie University) investigate whether a person’s security of relationship [email protected] with God allows for mature religious openness and erfectionism is suggested to be an important thence lower levels of psychological symptoms. A feature in the development and maintenance of sample of 130 Christian adults in Sydney, Australia P several forms of psychopathology. A valuable way to completed demographic questions and measures of investigate the nature of such a trait is to explore religious questing, attachment to God and the Brief factors contributing to its development. The anxious Symptom Inventory. Results were analysed using rearing model of perfectionism development structural equation modelling. Implications of the proposes that perfectionism develops due to general findings for understanding helpful and unhelpful parental worry about being imperfect as evidenced by spiritual pathways to psychological health are focus on negative consequences of mistakes, anxious discussed. over concern about mistakes and overprotection The RESILIENCE Project: Mobility impairment from the negative consequences of mistakes. The in Australia and South East Asia current study aims to assess this model with clinically anxious children and matched controls using pre- MISAJON, R., & MANDERSON, L. (Monash existing and a newly developed measure, the University) Perfectionistic Anxious Rearing Questionnaire [email protected] (PARQ). The aim of this study is to assess the he RESILIENCE project (REsearch into Social psychometric properties of the PARQ. TInclusion, Locomotive Impairment and Empowerment through Networking, Collaboration Multiaxial assessment and biopsychosocial and Education) is an interdisciplinary, multi-country management of pain study, which examines the impact of mobility MONTGOMERY, B. (University of the Sunshine Coast) impairment on people in Australia and South-East [email protected] Asia. The first phase of the project, which included both quantitative and qualitative components, aimed ain patients present to psychologists because they to identify key themes in regard to mobility Pare experiencing unacceptable pain. This experience is a psychological phenomenon which Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 impairment. This was conducted in three countries: Australia (N=169), Thailand (N=210) and Malaysia involves on-going interactions amongst biological, (N=210), in both urban and rural populations. The psychological and social factors. Turk and his PIPP (Perceived Impact of Problem Profile) was colleagues have proposed multiaxial assessment (Turk specifically developed by the research team to & Melzack, 2001) and multifactorial treatment (Turk measure impact and associated distress related to & Gatchel, 2002) of pain in response to the mobility impairment. The PIPP consists of 23 items complexity of the phenomenon. Despite more than across several personal and social domains, including 40 years of research indicating the importance of perceptions about the self and self care, ability to psychological and social factors in the experience of perform various activities, personal and social pain, the majority of pain patients receive only relationships, participation, and independence. medical treatment and the majority of medical Participants were asked to rate the impact and practitioners still use only biomedical approaches to distress on a 1-6 point scale (where 1 = no impact / pain-management. Notwithstanding a few good distress and 6 = extreme impact / distress). The paper examples of multidisciplinary centres dealing with will provide a brief overview of some of the key pain, the potential contribution to best practice in

169 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

pain-management from psychosocial techniques is measures and subjective reports were gathered prior frequently absent, presumably because of a lack of to ecstasy consumption and hourly for five hours awareness within medical services of these thereafter. Participants consumed between 1 and 5 procedures. This paper introduces a practitioner’s ecstasy pills, ingesting doses often exceeding and in view of evidence-based procedures for a some cases tripling the maximum doses administered biopsychosocial approach to pain-management. to humans in laboratory studies. Maximum MDMA plasma concentrations averaged 336 ng/mL, and a Reliability and validity of group administration of quarter of party-goers had MDMA plasma the Eyes Test – Children’s Version: An Australian concentrations in the ‘toxic to lethal’ range according normative study to forensic guidelines. Peak cardiovascular and MOODY, L. (Charles Darwin University), & thermodynamic effects also tended to exceed those in CASHION, L. (Developmental Assessment, NT) clinical studies. Heart rates increased by a mean of 24 [email protected] bpm, systolic blood pressure by 22 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 14 mmHg. Core and skin he Eyes Test – Children’s Version is used in temperatures also rose by 1.1 ºC and 1.8 ºC, Australia and the UK as a measure of theory of T respectively. Analyses of neurohormonal impacts are mind in the assessment of autism spectrum disorders. continuing and will be reported. It is apparent that However, little is known about its psychometric recreational ecstasy users often consume considerably properties. Normative data for Australian children is higher doses of the drug and experience greater sparse. Results of group testing were compared to physiological sequelae than those reported in individual administration in Australian and British controlled clinical research. Although accompanied samples to assess validity of group administration. In in some cases by plasma concentrations hitherto only addition, internal consistency and test-retest measures reported in case studies involving toxicity, were considered. The Eyes Test was group participants’ reports of elation indicate that these administered to 82 primary school students in the effects were not only tolerated but actively enjoyed. Darwin region of the Northern Territory enrolled in mainstream classes and with no identified Mindfulness-based treatment for bulimia nervosa psychopathology. Participants were grouped in age and binge-eating: Findings from a randomised ranges from 8 –13.25 years. Results were consistent control trial with previous normative studies, finding that total scores on the Eyes Test increase with age, with no MORGAN, A., & O’DONOVAN, A. (Griffith effect of gender. No significant differences between University) [email protected] the first and second administration of the Eyes Test were found. An analysis of internal consistency hile individual CBT has been viewed as the showed a less than ideal test statistic. Results are Wtreatment of choice for bulimia nervosa and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 discussed in terms of test construction theory and binge eating, results from group treatments are less cultural differences between the Australian and impressive. As group treatments are a popular and British samples. Overall it was found that the Eyes cost-effective approach for these client groups, it is Test is a reliable, repeatable and consistent measure important to identify a group-based treatment that is that can be administered either individually or in effective. Promising findings have recently emerged group settings. from mindfulness-based group treatments; however these studies have been compromised by The acute psychobiological impacts of illicit methodological limitations such as small samples sizes ecstasy (MDMA) use in recreational environments and lack of control groups. However, as many MOREFIELD, KM., KEANE, M. (Adelaide mindfulness-based treatments contain components University)*, FELGATE, P. (Forensic Science South from other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive Australia), WHITE, JM.*, & IRVINE, RJ.* therapy, the relative contribution of mindfulness [email protected] components remain unknown. The main aim of the ata were gathered at parties from 41 experienced current research was to conduct a randomised Decstasy users. Blood samples, physiological controlled trail of a mindfulness-based treatment with 170 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

an adequate sample size (n = 80), which did not with prior research showing that cognitions play an contain components from other therapeutic important role in adaptive coping, including approaches. Female participants who met criteria for deliberate rumination, and downward social bulimia or binge eating were randomly assigned to an comparison. Exposure to positive behaviour 8-session group-mindfulness intervention or waitlist modelling was also found to be an adaptive coping control. Measures of mindfulness, frequency of strategy. bingeing and compensatory behaviours, client functioning, eating-disordered cognitions, depression, The relationship between therapeutic realizations anxiety, and stress were completed pre and post and changes in problem gambling behaviour treatment, and at one-month follow-up. The results MORRIS, D., HOSKING, G., DEIGHTON, R., & of this research demonstrate significant MACNAB., F. (The Cairnmillar Institute) improvements on all variables for the treatment [email protected] group compared to the waitlist control group. These herapeutic realizations are one of the change findings provide support for the effectiveness of a processes posited by the generic model of mindfulness-only intervention for bulimia and binge T psychotherapy (Orlinsky & Howard, 1986). This eating. paper discusses the relationship between therapeutic An interpretative phenomenological investigation realizations and changes in behaviour and of adjustment and posttraumatic growth after a psychological well-being among individuals diagnosis of haematological malignancy undergoing therapy for problem gambling. Following six sessions of a brief integrative therapy, MORRIS, BA. (University of Tasmania)*, clients completed measures of gambling behaviour, SHAKESPEARE-FINCH, J. (Queensland University of psychological well-being, and a measure of Technology), & SCOTT, JL.* [email protected] therapeutic realizations (The Therapeutic Realizations Scale; Kolden, Strauman, Gittleman, diagnosis of cancer results in a wide-range of Halverson, Heerey, & Schneider, 2000.) This paper Aoutcomes that require considerable will discuss the strength of the association between psychological adjustment. There is growing client’s realizations over the course of the therapy recognition in the field of psycho-oncology that some and changes to both their problematic gambling people experience positive life change, or behaviour and psychological well-being. These results Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) following cancer will be discussed in the context of the relationship diagnosis. However, many studies utilise existing between therapeutic insight and psychopathology. PTG measures designed for general trauma experiences that do not take into account life changes Executive function as a predictor of driving that may be unique to a health-related context. The behaviour among young drivers

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 current study presents an interpretative MORRIS, L., & DAWSON, S. (University of Canberra) phenomenological exploration of the adjustment [email protected] process and reported PTG in 6 persons diagnosed with haematological malignancies. Interviews were his study explores relationships between conducted over a 12-month period (1; 6; and 12 Texecutive functioning and driving behaviour, as months post-diagnosis). Triangulation of data was well as the influences of age and sex within a sample provided by interviewing significant others and with of young Australian drivers. This study employed a quantitative assessment. Results identified positive self-report, cross-sectional survey research design. A changes not assessed by traditional PTG measures; purposive sample of 92 provisionally licensed drivers Compassion for Others, and Health-Related Life aged 17-25 years, took part in the study. Results Changes. A wide range of coping strategies are revealed that young drivers who displayed poorer reported in the first two interviews. These appear to executive functioning were associated with increased persist to 12 month follow-up only if the person has driving violations and total negative driving experienced a relapse in health, or is struggling with behaviours such as mistakes and lapses. Hierarchical enduring side-effects. The results were also consistent regression analyses revealed that executive function

171 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

was an important influential predictor of driving in dealing with ‘problems’ (e.g. eating disorders). behaviours which contributed independently to the During the past 15 years, increased interest and focus effects of age and sex. Further results and has come from the field of sport psychology and its implications are discussed with regard to possible application to fields such as dance. Experience with future directions for research in this area; including the application of sport psychology in the dance efforts to reduce drivers risk of motor vehicle profession has shown that dancers identify primarily accidents. with the concept of performance psychology. The focus of applied performance psychology practice Relationships between age, executive function and with dancers has been observed to incorporate driving behaviour principles from across sport, clinical and MORRIS, L., & DAWSON, S. (University of Canberra) organisational psychology, yet packaged together in [email protected] such a way that the focus is on performance enhancement – whether that be in terms of dance his study investigates the relationships between a technique, artistry, creativity, or personal skill Tcomponent of brain functioning called executive development both on and off the stage. This paper function and driving behaviour, as well as the focuses upon sharing the practitioner’s experience of influences of age and sex within a sample of the delivery of performance psychology to dancers Australian drivers. A self-report, cross-sectional (both professionals and dancers-in-training), and survey research design was employed on a discussion of the considerations related to this convenience sample of 246 students aged 18-58 years undertaking within this unique population. from a Canberra university. Younger drivers were found to display poorer executive function and that Attachment and interpersonal relationships in less effective executive function was associated with postnatal depression increased driving violations, and total negative driving behaviours such as mistakes and lapses. MULCAHY, R., & WILKINSON, RB. (The Australian National University) Regression analyses confirmed that executive [email protected] function was an important influential predictor of driving behaviours and that it contributed ostnatal depression (PND) is a serious and independent to the effects of age and sex. The Pdebilitating mental health disorder, which has strength of the influence of executive function on serious consequences for the woman, her partner, and driving behaviour was further demonstrated by the their infant. Strong evidence exists for the role of partially mediating effect of executive function on the interpersonal and relationship factors such as marital relationship between age and driving violations as satisfaction and social support. This research well as total negative driving behaviours. These embraced an attachment theory framework to results suggest that higher levels of executive function illustrate the importance of close interpersonal

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 may partially buffer the negative influence of youth relationships in the conceptualisation of postnatal on driving behaviours. Implications of results are depression. This study reports the results of a cross- discussed with regards to future research in driver sectional study examining the bivariate and safety. multivariate associations between attachment insecurity, interpersonal functioning and postnatal Performance psychology applied to dance depression by investigating the differences between a clinical group of mothers diagnosed with PND (n = MOYLE, G. (Independent Practice) [email protected] 47) and a comparison group of mothers (n = 68) across some of their significant relationships he recent interest in the area of performance including marital functioning, social-supports, and Tpsychology has included a focus on applied the mother-infant bond. The findings demonstrate practice within the performing arts. The use of that mothers with Preoccupied or Fearful adult psychology within this field has been occurring for attachment styles have significantly higher levels of many years, although practice has been observed to postnatal depression, more marital discord, less originate primarily from within positive views of their social support network, and

172 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

more difficult interactions with their baby than framework and utilising Weiss’s conceptualisation of mothers with Secure or Dismissing adult attachment loneliness, the current paper presents an evaluation of styles. Results from this research indicate that the extant literature and will provide an analysis of attachment theory offers a potentially useful the role of loneliness in the relationship between the framework for health professionals and therapists RS and depression. Additionally, a mediator model, working with depressed mothers, their partners, and wherein loneliness mediates the relationship between infants. RS and depression will be proposed. Possible directions for future research in this area will also be Helping people cope with advanced prostate explored. cancer: Identifying and meeting their coping needs The profile and outcomes of cancer patients MURRAY, K., SCOTT, JL., BRUNO, R. (University of Tasmania), MONSOUR, M. (Launceston General referred to a specialist psychology service Hospital), NUWAYHID, F. (Royal Hobart Hospital) NEILSON, K., SMITH, D. (RMIT University), & [email protected] POLLARD, A. (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) he diagnosis of prostate cancer affects the [email protected] Tpsychological well-being of men and the people pecialist psychology services for cancer patients close to them. People coping with advanced stage Saim to assist patients to manage the emotional, disease report higher levels of depression and greater social, and existential concerns that can occur with disruption to their quality of life than do people cancer. This project aimed to identify the coping with early stage disease. Support person’s characteristics and outcomes of clients referred to a often report higher distress than do patients. specialist psychology service for cancer patients. However, no research to date has explored the coping Client demographic, cancer illness/treatment, service needs of people with advanced stage disease, or usage, and functioning were recorded over a 16- evaluated interventions to enhance adjustment in month period. Results demonstrated that most both patients and their support persons. This poster patients referred to the service attended for an reports results from two studies. In the first study, assessment with a psychologist. Referral to the couples’ observed support communication, psychology service occurred throughout the cancer psychological functioning and unmet coping needs diagnosis and treatment process. Attending the were assessed and informed the development of a service was generally associated with improvement in dyadic coping intervention. The preliminary results clients’ functioning. Sex, baseline severity of from the second study, involving a pilot, pre-post symptoms, number of sessions attended, diagnostic, test, single arm evaluation of the intervention on 15 and treatment details predicted improvement in couples with advanced disease, are reported. psychological symptoms. The results of this evaluation are useful in terms of providing a better The role of loneliness in the relationship between Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 understanding of the psychology service’s utilisation, rejection sensitivity and depression process, and outcomes for clients. This can assist in MUSGROVE, E., & BOWLES, T. (Australian Catholic the planning and development of the psychology University) services for cancer patients. [email protected] Strategies that enhance student engagement ast research indicates that rejection sensitivity during the teaching of statistics in psychology (RS) and depression are highly correlated. In P programs accordance with the RS model, anxiously expecting rejection reflects a cognitive-affective processing NEUMANN, DL. (Griffith University) disposition which confers vulnerability to depression [email protected] by undermining one’s ability to form and benefit he profession of psychology is based on the from positive relationships. However, few studies Tprinciples of scientific investigation and analysis. have outlined the specific mechanisms by which RS However, students in psychology programs generally functions as a risk factor for depression. Posited rate the study of research methods and statistics low within the context of an attachment/attributional 173 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

on indicators such as relevance and interest. This The indicator for intervention pilot study: A paper will examine some methods that have been snapshot from psychology used to enhance student engagement and learning NICHOLAS, A., STOKES, D., & MATHEWS, R. during a first year statistics course. The use of on-line (Australian Psychological Society) and in-class computer-based interactive exercises can [email protected] illustrate statistical concepts such as sampling, regression, and hypothesis testing in a novel way. A ince 2005, the Australian Department of Health data gathering questionnaire completed in the first Sand Ageing has funded the APS to develop and class can also provide raw data of interest to students pilot test a code set for use as an ‘Indicator for for illustrative purposes throughout the course. Intervention’ (IFI) to add to a standard ‘Allied Health Finally, using student-relevant and discipline-relevant Minimum Data Set’. This study is auspiced by the examples of statistical concepts with the odd funny National Allied Health Classification Committee photo thrown in can maintain student attention who have been developing the data set since the early during lectures. Evaluation of these approaches 1990’s. IFI codes indicate the primary reason a indicates that each can play a role to promote student patient/client has sought assistance from an Allied learning and engagement in statistics courses for Health professional. The IFI is functional in nature psychology students. indicating the concern or symptom of primary importance, rather than representing a diagnosis or The psychophysiological profile of elite and novice intervention. Approximately 400 professionals from athletes during a precision sport eleven allied health professions were involved in this pilot study. As part of the pilot, 1791 data entries NEUMANN, DL., THOMAS, PR. (Griffith University), & HOOPER, SL. (Centre of Excellence for Applied were collected from 67 Psychologists working in Sport Science Research) public health services in metropolitan, regional and [email protected] remotes areas across Australia. These entries include the allocated IFI code(s) and patient/client thletes’ skill levels are reflected in not only their demographic information. Participating psychologists Aperformance, but also in their worked in a variety of settings including Acute psychophysiological responses during a sport. This Hospitals and Community Health Services, and the paper examines cardiovascular responses that were IFI codes used varied across settings. In addition, 24 measured during a series of putts in golf. Elite athletes psychologists participated in a reliability study showed an overall lower heart rate, greater variability involving allocation of IFI codes to a set of case- in heart rate, a greater phasic deceleration in heart studies. An indicator of reliability above the set rate just prior to the putt, and a greater tendency to benchmark was achieved. exhale just before the putt when compared to novice athletes. Instructions that encouraged athletes to Coping strategies and pain during physiotherapy

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 modify their attentional focus during the putting task treatment had a greater effect on cardiovascular responses in novice athletes than in elite athletes. The NICHOLSON PERRY, K., SHARPE, L., HAGGMAN, S., NICHOLAS, M., & REFSHAUGE, K. (The cardiovascular profiles appeared to reflect the University of Sydney) interplay between the attentional focus strategy, [email protected] arousal regulation, and the physical demands of the putting task. The measurement of cardiovascular hile a significant amount of research has been activity may be useful during training and assessment Wconducted investigating the role of coping to promote the psychophysiological patterns strategies in relation to those with chronic pain or in associated with enhanced performance during experimental pain situations, relatively little has precision sports. explored their spontaneous use in real-life painful situations. Participants were 192 individuals presenting for physiotherapy treatment of low back pain, who completed VAS pain scores before and after treatment, and a modified version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ; Rosenstiel and Keefe, 174 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

1983). Using coping self-statements (such as Canvassing the emotions: Women, creativity and ‘Although it hurt I just kept going’) was the most mental health in context frequently used coping strategy reported by the NORTHFIELD, S. (Victoria University) sample, and reinterpreting pain sensations (such as ‘I [email protected] imagined that the pain was outside my body’) was the least frequently used. Regression analyses using post- his paper concerns the role of visual art in the treatment VAS pain scores and pre to post-treatment Tlives of women who have experienced mental ill change in VAS pain score found that, after health. As in other areas of art history where women controlling for pain levels before treatment, only are rarely mentioned, little has been written about reinterpreting pain sensations made a significant the relationship between women’s creativity and contribution to variance in either dependent variable. wellbeing. Even less has been documented about the The implications of these findings will be reviewed in actual experiences and views of women experiencing light of other relevant findings. mental ill health who produce/d visual art. In the 1950s, art programs were introduced across a number The long cold night: Comparing expeditioner and of Victorian psychiatric institutions, and continued partner experiences during Antarctic absences until the closure of stand-alone psychiatric th NORRIS, K., PATON, D. (University of Tasmania), & institutions in the late 20 century. Since then, a AYTON, J. (Australian Antarctic Division) number of innovative community-based art programs [email protected] for people experiencing mental ill health have evolved across Victoria. However such art making he Antarctic environment poses both physical opportunities have not been systematically quantified Tand psychological challenges to human or identified. This project focuses on interviews with performance, particularly during the austral winter. women who produced art in psychiatric institutions Additionally, Antarctic employment involves or who produce art in community settings, about the prolonged separation from existing social support role and meaning of creativity in their lives, networks. Previous research has demonstrated providing both historical and contemporary variations in expeditioners mood whilst in Antarctica perspectives on the interaction between creativity, and the subsequent impacts on both physical and gender and wellbeing. Such knowledge enables a psychological functioning (Bechtel, 1991; Evans, richer appreciation of the challenges for current and Stokols, & Carrere, 1987; Palmai, 1963; Steel & future mental health services to consider the role that Suedfeld, 1991). However, the concurrent experience creativity has to play in women’s wellbeing. of partners and the potential influence this has on expeditioner health during Antarctic residence is not Life regrets and subjective well-being in older well understood. Incorporating a cross-lagged, adults longitudinal design the present study investigates the O’BRIEN, AE., & THOMPSON, AP. (Charles Sturt Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 experience of Antarctic absences in expeditioners and University) their partners, and explores the interactive nature of [email protected] these processes. In particular, it highlights the significant differences in psychological health across his study investigated several aspects of life Antarctic absence and provides a rationale for Tregrets in older adults, including the variance between expeditioners and partners based on relationships between regret characteristics (number data obtained from qualitative interviews. This reported, negative consequences, intensity) and research provides a more holistic understanding of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, depressive Antarctic employment, and identifies implications symptoms) One hundred and thirteen female and 45 for individual and dyadic adjustment at later stages of male participants (aged 65 to 94 years), the Antarctic employment experience. predominantly residing in suburban areas of Sydney and Wollongong, completed written questionnaires. Slightly more than half the respondents reported having one or more life regrets. Regrets most commonly related to the life domains of education,

175 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

career, marriage and romantic relationships, priorities and mothering self-efficacy, faith in breast parenting and self-development. Participants with no milk, adaptability, stress and breastfeeding self- life regrets reported greater life satisfaction than those efficacy. The identification of these factors represents with three or more regrets. Number of regrets was an important step in the discovery of modifiable not related to depressive symptoms. In order to psychological differences capable of increasing further explore the relationship between life regrets breastfeeding duration. and subjective well-being, a measure of dispositional negativity and of physical health were considered in Exploring the influence of psychological factors on combination with two aspects of regrets (negative breastfeeding duration: Phase 2, the quantitative consequences and intensity). Multiple regression enquiry analyses showed that, after controlling for the effects O’BRIEN, ML., BUIKSTRA, E. (Centre for Rural and of dispositional negativity and physical health, regret Remote Mental Health), & HEGNEY, D. (University of consequences contributed uniquely to predicting Queensland) both measures of subjective well-being. However, [email protected] regret intensity appeared more influential than regret he aim of this study was to examine the consequences for the prediction of depressive Trelationship between women’s psychological symptoms. characteristics and breastfeeding duration, after controlling for socio-demographic factors. The Exploring the influence of psychological factors on breastfeeding duration: Phase 1, perceptions of literature suggests that psychological factors may influence breastfeeding behaviour, but studies are mothers and clinicians few. Existing evidence and the results of Phase 1 of O’BRIEN, ML., BUIKSTRA, E. (Centre for Rural and this study were used to construct a list of Remote Mental Health), FALLON, AB. (Northern psychological factors which were tested for their Rivers University), & HEGNEY, D. (University of association with breastfeeding duration in the current Queensland) [email protected] design. Participants completed the initial questionnaire within 14 days of the birth (N = 375) he important health affects of breastfeeding are and were contacted by telephone at 6 months Twell known, yet currently only a minority of postpartum to ascertain their current feeding method, Australian women breastfeed for long enough for the and the time of weaning where appropriate. The data full range of benefits to be attained. Socio- showed that 44% of the sample experienced signs of demographic determinants of breastfeeding duration postnatal distress in the 14 days following the birth. identified to date are not easily modified and The duration of breastfeeding was significantly therefore offer limited opportunities for increasing associated with dispositional optimism, breastfeeding breastfeeding duration. It is also apparent that self-efficacy, faith in breast milk, breastfeeding individual differences of a psychological nature may Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 expectations, anxiety, planned duration and the time have an overriding effect on breastfeeding success. of the infant feeding decision. After removing the This study aimed to list the individual psychological effect of socio-demographic characteristics, unique differences thought to have an effect on breastfeeding predictors of both fully and any breastfeeding duration by subject matter experts. Participants duration were identified among the psychological included three groups of mothers who had breastfed variables. These results demonstrate the importance for varied lengths of time (n=17), and one group of of individual psychological differences to breastfeeding clinicians (n=4). The Nominal Group breastfeeding duration. Technique was employed to generate a list of factors thought by group members to influence breastfeeding duration. The transcribed group discussions were also explored using thematic analysis. Forty-five psychological factors thought to influence the duration of breastfeeding were identified. Factors considered ‘most important’ included the mother’s

176 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Community psychology in schools: Challenges comprised nineteen patients assigned to the treatment and hope group and fifteen patients in the waiting list group. The participants were matched for age, years of O’GRADY, L. (Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) education and number of suicide attempts. All [email protected] participants completed questionnaire measures of hopelessness, temporal orientation, self efficacy, pain chools exist as communities in their own right as impact and problem-solving confidence at pre- Swell as microcosms of their local and broader treatment and post treatment. The treatment group national and global communities. School policies, received a seven session problem-solving cognitive procedures and rules assist the school community to behaviour therapy program comprising a problem function more effectively. Any existing strengths and solving training phase and suicide inoculation weaknesses in these wider communities are likely to training phase (adapted from Meichenbaum’s (1977) play out in various ways within the school stress inoculation model). To control for therapist community. Community psychologists recognize variables the researcher alone conducted the the importance of links between local community treatment program. Results demonstrated significant and school communities and are interested in pre and post treatment differences in scores on exploring issues of inclusion, connectedness and measures of hopelessness, temporal orientation and power imbalances. They also place emphasis on how problem-solving confidence. No significant values operate within all relationships and differences were observed in the pre and post institutions. With much talk in schools recently measures of pain or general self efficacy. The study about values and promoting student voices, lends support to the view that problem-solving community psychologists are well placed to work deficits are consistently identified among suicidal with schools to ensure that this talk is more than persons. It also highlights the potential impact of rhetoric. By promoting more reflective practices problem-solving focussed intervention to modifying around traditional ways of working, we can assist temporal perspectives. schools to achieve culture shifts that enhance the engagement and resilience of all community Youth who care for their parents: The nature and members. This paper provides two examples of impact of young care giving school projects taking place in schools in the western PAKENHAM, KI., & IRELAND, M. (The University of suburbs of Melbourne: one is a student-led peer drug Queensland) education program in several secondary colleges and [email protected] the other project utilizes an emotional intelligence framework to assist school staff in reflecting on his study addresses an emerging social crisis: the practices and developing programs for students. Tadverse impacts on youngsters caring for a disabled/ill family member. These youngsters are

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Effect of problem-solving focussed cognitive often referred to as ‘young caregivers’. Although behaviour therapy on suicidal behaviour there are approximately 347,700 young carers in Australia little is known about the nature of young OLUJIE, C. (Northern Sydney Central Coast Health) [email protected] care giving and predictors of adjustment. This study explored (1) the nature of young care giving tasks, (2) his study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of relations between adjustment outcomes and both care Ta problem-solving focussed cognitive behaviour giving experiences and tasks, and (3) comparisons therapy on hopelessness, temporal perspective, between youth of a parent with physical general self- efficacy, pain impact and problem- illness/disability and youth of a parent with mental solving confidence among suicide attempters. The illness/disability. Eighty-one youngsters aged 10 to link between problem-solving deficits and suicide 25 years of a parent with illness/disability completed attempt or completed suicide is supported by a questionnaires measuring demographics, parental number of studies. A total of thirty four parasuicidal illness/disability variables, care giving tasks and mental health patients with recurrent suicidal experiences, and adjustment outcomes. Factor ideations participated in this study. The participants analysis of a care giving task checklist revealed four

177 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

dimensions: Instrumental Care, Psycho-Emotional The idealisation of thin figures and appearance Care, Personal Care, Domestic Care. After concerns in middle school children controlling for relevant demographics and parental PATRICK-HOBBINS, S., & LEWIS, V. (University of illness/disability variables, lower perceived self- Canberra) maturity related to care giving and greater care giving [email protected] isolation predicted poorer adjustment outcomes. Youth of a parent with physical illness/disability onsiderable research has been conducted on reported more personal care tasks and less care giving Cadolescent body image including the idealisation discomfort than youth of a parent with a mental of thin figures particularly for females (Dohnt & illness, although the groups did not differ on Tiggemann, 2005). For example, a survey conducted adjustment. Young carer policy and practice by Mission Australia (2007) found that for 11-24 year implications are discussed. olds body image was their top concern. These idealisations are associated with negative feelings and MDMA or ‘ecstasy’ and bioenergetic stress in thoughts towards oneself and engagement in recreational drug users sometimes-dangerous behaviours (Thompson & Chad, 2002). Less research has been conducted on PARROTT, AC. (Swansea University) [email protected] preadolescents even though children as young as 6 have been shown to be dissatisfied with their bodies DMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (Dohnt & Tiggemann). This study investigates figure Mor 'Ecstasy' has been used as a recreational preferences in 10-12 year olds and the presence of drug for over twenty years. It is a powerful indirect body dissatisfaction and social physique anxiety monoaminergic agonist, stimulating the release and (SPA) commonly seen in older ages. Thirty boys and inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) and other 30 girls were recruited from a private school in neurotransmitters. This boost in neurotransmitter Canberra and completed a self-report questionnaire activity can generate intense feelings of elation and consisting of the Figure Perception and Preference pleasure, hyperactivity and hyperthermia. This Rating Scale and the SPAS. Results revealed boys and psychophysiological arousal may be exacerbated by girls nominated a significantly thinner ideal figure high ambient temperatures and prolonged dancing than they perceived their actual figure. As seen in the (Parrott, 2002). After taking Ecstasy many users adult literature, gender differences were evident, with report rebound depression and lethargy due to females higher in SPA. Results are discussed in monoaminergic depletion. The psychobiological relation to the young age at which figure perceptions problems of regular Ecstasy/MDMA use include are formed and the implications to prevention and selective deficits in learning/memory, higher intervention of body image concerns in children. cognitive processing, sleep, appetite, psychiatric wellbeing, and sex. Various drug and non-drug factors Assessment of psychosocial unmet needs among

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 can influence these deficits. Novice users remain young people who have a parent with cancer relatively unimpaired, whereas the majority of heavy PATTERSON, P. (CanTeen), & SLAWITSCHKA, E. users report psychobiological problems. Prolonged (University of Western Sydney) dancing and feeling hot at dances and raves are also [email protected] associated with more psychobiological problems (Parrott 2004; Parrott et al, 2006). This is consistent onfrontation with a parent’s cancer is a very with the animal literature, where high ambient Cdistressing experience and often results in temperature and other metabolic stimulants boost the serious unmet needs for young people, particularly as cancer shifts toward a chronic condition, increasing acute effects of MDMA, and cause greater serotonergic neurotoxicity. These multiple influences the psychosocial burden for family members. To date, research in this area has been limited by the fact are integrated within a bioenergetic stress model (Parrott, 2006). that no self-report instrument exists to measure these needs and consequently develop and deliver appropriate services to this population. The current presentation investigates the piloting of an

178 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

instrument developed to measure the psychosocial Analysis of a mixed-species exhibit for orangutans needs of young people who have a parent with cancer (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) and siamangs (Hylobates – the Offspring Cancer Needs Instrument (OCNI). syndactylus) at Adelaide Zoo One-hundred and sixteen young people between the PEARSON, E., & LITCHFIELD, C. (University of ages of 12 and 24 participated in the study. Results South Australia) yielded the following ranking (from most to least [email protected] unmet) of the initial OCNI domains: expressing and coping with feelings; peer support; supportive espite the abundance of mixed-species exhibits education and work environment; information; Dbeing designed and implemented in zoos access to support services; respite and recreation; worldwide, few studies have evaluated the impact family factors; carer support. Further, with regard to such housing has on the individual animals involved. specific need items: ‘friends to understand what I was The present study documents the patterns of going through’; ‘help with concentrating on tasks’; behaviour and interaction between a male/female ‘information about what to do if I notice a particular pair of orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) and side-effect or symptom’ were the three most unmet siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus) within a captive needs. Validity considerations of the instrument will mixed-species setting. Over a six-week period, 180 also be reported on. hours of observations were conducted utilising instantaneous scan sampling at three-minute intervals. Brain, behaviour and evolution Findings indicated a highly successful mixed-species exhibit, characterised by a lack of agonistic PAXINOS, G. (Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute) encounters and without segregation of the exhibit by [email protected] species. A rare array of inter-species interactions were observed between the female orangutan and siamangs tandard atlases using identical nomenclature including frequent grooming, playful wrestling, Senable scientists to navigate seamlessly between chasing, and embracing. These behaviours accounted the brain of humans and experimental animals to test for 7% of the female orangutan’s daily activity hypotheses inspired by human considerations and budget, testament to the stimulation afforded by this relate data from experimental animals to humans. In combination. Of concern was the high level of time current atlas construction we use evidence from spent in terrestrial locations (75% for the orangutans) transgenic mice and birds to propose a new plan for and lack of climbing behaviour for all individuals. the organization and function of certain brain regions Results suggest mixed-species primate exhibits can be of mammals. The human brain features many more very successful when individuals are carefully homologies with the brain of monkey (e.g., virtually selected, providing an enriched captive setting and all areas of the cortex are homologous), of the rat and heightened viewing experience for the visiting public. of the bird than previously thought. Areas which are However, both species would benefit from exhibit

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 shown to be homologous are likely to have similar redesign to facilitate natural behavioural patterns. function, as for example are 9/46 of the prefrontal cortex, which is homologous in human and monkey Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis and is involved in executive processing in working PHILLIPS, LJ. (University of Melbourne) memory in both species. Using MR images in mice [email protected] and non-human primates we are attempting to provide 3D volumes of canonical brains against sychotic disorders are frequently chronic and which transgenic varieties with clinical significance Pdebilitating illnesses that commonly first emerge can be compared. The author concludes that, the in late-adolescence or early adulthood. The onset brain is wonderful, but it is not omniscient. Both the phase of these disorders is commonly characterised dazzling technological success of our species and the by identifiable changes in behaviour, and functioning worrisome environmental degradation it has and the experience of low-grade psychotic symptoms produced are reflections of the function of our brains. or other psychological symptoms. Over the last decade substantial steps have been made towards identifying young people during this onset phase and

179 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

in the development and evaluation of interventions The well-being of adolescent refugees involved in aimed at stopping the progression towards full-blown the Good Starts study, during the first two years illness. This presentation will review work of their resettlement in Melbourne, Australia conducted at the Personal Assessment and Crisis PLONTZ, A. (La Trobe University)*, WILLIAMS, B. Evaluation (PACE) Clinic in Melbourne which has (Swinburne University of Technology), GIFFORD, S.*, been at the forefront of this endeavour. Particular & CORREA-VELEZ, I.* attention will be paid to investigation into the role of [email protected] stress and coping in the onset of psychotic illness and the importance of psychological interventions at this his paper presents some findings from the Good stage of illness. TStarts longitudinal research project for refugee youth which is being conducted by the Refugee Stress-reduction interventions: Staff perceptions of Health Research Centre, La Trobe University. what works Previous research on the well-being of refugees resettled in industrialized countries has shown that PIGNATA, S., & WINEFIELD, AH. (University of post migration factors (such as residing with at least South Australia) [email protected] one family member, peer relationships, exposure to bullying, accommodation type, and economic o address the paucity of research evaluating stress opportunities) can be as important as previous Tinterventions, this study aimed to investigate the trauma in explaining outcomes. Good Starts focuses effectiveness of perceived stress-reduction measures on the first four years of resettlement, and combines implemented at 13 universities between 2000 and ethnographic data with survey data on key issues 2003/4. Non-casual staff at these universities were such as self-esteem, coping styles, school surveyed in 2000 and again in 2003/4, with a response environment, and social support. This paper rate of 25% on both occasions. Based on results from describes data from the first 2 cohorts, collected the 2000 survey, interventions were recommended to during the first two years of resettlement (n=82). improve employee well-being. In the 2003/4 survey, Cluster analysis followed by longitudinal analysis staff were asked to indicate whether their overall showed that, over the 2-year period, the scores for a level of stress had changed during the previous cluster encompassing close to half of the participants three/four years, and if so, to describe the major decreased significantly on the indicators for trust, causes of the change. In the sample of 4615 belonging, and social support, while a significant participants, 12% (n = 542) reported that their level increase was found for environmental quality of life. of stress had decreased, 27% (n = 1266) reported no The paper also discusses the findings from qualitative change, and 61% (n = 2807) reported that their level interviews held in years 3 and 4 of data collection of stress had increased. Thematic analyses found that with a smaller sample of youth and explores their the key perceived causes of decreased stress were narratives of belonging.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 changes in job/work role, increased staffing and resource levels, changes of heads of organisational Cutting edge technologies in independent practice: unit, the use of strategies to reduce and/or manage Using virtual reality and biofeedback approaches stress, improved work practices, and increased self to anxiety disorders awareness of stress. Perceived causes of increased POSEN, L. (Independent Practice) stress were also analysed. These results identify the [email protected] importance of implementing strategies that enhance employee well-being. n a high impact multimedia presentation, I will Idiscuss and demonstrate the utility of employing effective, albeit expensive technologies to advance the treatment of anxiety disorders, using fear of flying, which affects between 1 in 6 and 1 and 12 of the general population, as the example disorder. I will argue that conventional CBT is insufficient for the task, and in addition argue that the objective measure

180 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

of arousal will prove to be a necessary component of Shadowed by illness: Qualitative psycho-social treatment in the future, as more demand for evidence research helping to identify the needs and of efficacy is placed on psychologists. Attendees will experiences of well siblings living in Australian be both entertained and challenged by this fast paced families caring for children with life limiting presentation. conditions

Attachment to God and psychological health: PROCTOR, MT., STEVENS, M. (Children’s Hospital at Westmead)*, NAGY, S. (University of Technology Considering assessment of attachment to God in Sydney), LORD, B.*, & O’RIORDAN, L.* research, clinical care and psychotherapy [email protected] PROCTOR, MT. (University of Western Sydney), & ell siblings face a range of challenges when McLEAN, L. (University of Sydney) [email protected] Wtheir brother or sister is diagnosed with a life limiting condition. Qualitative psycho-social ncreasingly the significance of spirituality in interview-based research provides an ideal vehicle for Iresearch and clinical setting is being considered tapping into and learning from well siblings’ when addressing psychological health and wellbeing. experiences of growing up in the shadow of their One important relationship in some clients/patients’ sibling’s illness. This paper reports on experiences of lives is that with their conception of a Higher well siblings, ranging in age from 6 to 30 years, their Power/God. This relationship often comes to the in-depth, open-ended and audio-taped interviews fore during times of crisis and loss, and illness. drawn from a larger Australian qualitative study of 91 Researchers and practitioners wanting to respond in family members’ (29 family units) experiences of ways that include attachment to God and more caring for a child or adolescent with a life-limiting broadly spirituality may (i) feel uncertain as to which condition. Themes related to disclosure of illness assessment tools to select; (ii) lack confidence to information to others, attunement to ill sibling’s discuss spirituality with their patients/clients; and/or experiences, sibling relationships, siblings’ quality of (iii) believe they require specialised training to life, grief and death of the ill child are discussed. administer psycho-spiritual measures. This paper Heath care professionals will be able to reflect upon presents an overview of recently developed ways in which they can both formally and informally quantitative and qualitative attachment to God support well siblings across their sibling’s illness assessment tools that can be used to provide journey. practitioners with an insight into a foundational aspect of their clients/patients’ relationship with Relational aggression through the eyes of early God. Recent research applications of the tools in the adolescents: Experience, motivation, area of psychological health and consideration of interpretation and gender broad attachment to God themes in relation to PRONK, R., & ZIMMER-GEMBECK, MJ. (Griffith

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 bereavement related interviews are presented. University) Drawing upon psychotherapy cases where a [email protected] relationship with God was crucial to the patient’s inner world, consideration of the role of human and elational aggression negatively impacts upon spiritual attachment as it relates to psychotherapy Rmany adolescents’ lives. Relational aggression and recovery is discussed. has been operationalised as a range of negative behaviours that manipulate or damage others’ relationships (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). Although research in this area has escalated rapidly in the past 10 years, it is time to ask fundamental questions about relational aggression and victimisation in order to implement more optimal measurement strategies and school-based interventions. The overarching purpose of this study was to do this by identifying girls and boys with a history of victimisation and perpetration for participation in semi-structured 181 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

interviews. A total of 33 (55% girls) early adolescents technological developments have made aged 11-to-13 years were interviewed. Students implementation more feasible. attended two Australian schools. The interviews were designed to gather information on early adolescents' Personality – a resource or risk for successful explanations and past experiences of relational development aggression. Although a range of peer-related problems PULKKINEN, L. (University of Jyväskylä, Finland) have been studied by collecting interview data (e.g., [email protected] Card, 2007; de Bruyn & Cillessen, 2006), and there have been recent efforts to refine the definition of ersonality is a construct that is used in reference relational aggression (Bowie, 2007; Currie, Kelly, & Pto the unique characteristics of mature Pomerantz, 2007), there have been few studies that individuals. For children, individual characteristics provide rich descriptions of relationally aggressive have commonly been described in terms of behaviours using direct accounts from girls and boys temperament and observable behaviour. These who engage in or experience these behaviours more involve emotional as well as social components. than their peers. Traditionally, researchers have paid more attention to children’s socio-emotional behaviour that indicates (Re)-introducing hypertext to the teaching of poor adaptation to the social environment than to psychology: A wikiproject in careers development behaviour that indicates good adaptation. for first-year undergraduates Consequently, more is known about the ongoing development of aggressive children than of well- PROVOST, S., & ANDERSON, D. (Southern Cross adjusted children. The present paper addresses, first, University) [email protected] the issue of individual differences in socio-emotional behaviour in childhood and respective life paths up to he use of hypertext in teaching, particularly adulthood; second, the emergence of adult Twithin a collaborative context, was popular for a personality traits from the child’s socio-emotional brief time toward the end of the last century. characteristics; and third, the role of personality in However hypertext did not have the impact on successful development. Current research results teaching practices expected of it, to a large part suggest, for instance, that high self-regulation in because of the absence of appropriate software for its emotional and social behaviour forms a basis for implementation in higher education settings. This left adult consciousness and is associated with good health the educator having to focus on teaching skills in and longevity. In contrast, low self-regulation is (say) HTML, rather than psychological content and associated with vulnerability to the accumulation of process. The recent exponential growth of social problems in social and psychological functioning. networking, the success of Wikipedia, and the Personality seems to be a risk for successful integration of effective hypertext tools within development when it involves characteristics of

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 products like Blackboard, suggest that this barrier antisocial personality preceded by high bullying, may have diminished. Students in a First-year unit emotional ability, and difficulty in impulse control in collaborated in the development of wikis describing childhood. the results of their research in a Careers Project. In contrast to previous experience, this hypertext task Critical psychology – An approach for changing was easy to implement within Blackboard and environmental behaviour change policies required little technical support for students to be RÄTHZEL, N. (Umeå University) able to succeed. Students gave positive feedback on [email protected] the unit, and some issues typically associated with group work were also alleviated by working in this ehaviour change policies addressing climate environment. Hypertext offers opportunities to Bchange rely on either attitude change or, more educators seeking resource-efficient ways of recently, on forcing behaviour change through laws. I promoting graduate attributes related to argue that the effect of these policies is uncertain or communication and collaboration, and recent slow because they conceptualise the individual and society as being in opposition to each other, e.g. the

182 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

competing interests found in the 'commons Do better mousetraps make better teachers: A dilemma'. These policies and the underlying model for effective university teaching individual/societal relations reflect the way in which REECE, J. (RMIT University) people are forced to act within a competitive market [email protected] society, but ignore their capacity to act collectively and for the common good. Critical Psychology his presentation will reflect on some of the key through its historical analysis suggests that Tissues underlying effective university teaching. individuals need to collectively control their societal While there is a growing recognition of the relations and that depriving individuals of their importance of teaching and learning at universities by societal capacity for action creates an antagonism both the government and universities, it is a simple between them and society. This approach could fact that teaching and learning is not accorded a level transform the way in which Psychology understands of importance commensurate with what students behaviour change, by looking at ways to build on contribute to universities. University academics people’s capacity for action and on organisations that require no formal teaching qualifications, there is foster solidarity like trade unions and other social little consequence for poor teaching, and excellence movements. To elaborate I present results of a cross- in teaching is not rewarded to the same extent as national survey on environmental concerns and excellence in research. This presentation will present discuss what could be learned from, e.g. trade union data around these issues, and will propose and discuss policies around climate change. a model of good university teaching that incorporates the full context in which university teaching and Does humour at work make a difference? learning takes place. A research agenda will be RAWLINGS, ML., & FINDLAY, B. (Swinburne proposed to address a range of important questions University of Technology) derived from the model: What distinguishes an [email protected] outstanding and memorable teacher from a good teacher? What is the most efficient area of revious research in humour has concentrated on intervention for poor teachers? Does the same Pthe individual’s general use of humour. The aim intervention strategy for poor teachers work for good of our research into the Humour at Work (HAW) teachers? It will be concluded that, while there is still scale was to establish whether the climate of a considerable work to be done, we can be cautiously workplace can be described in terms of the type of optimistic about the future of Australian university humour used by employees. Items were constructed teaching and learning. from a wide variety of theoretical and empirical sources. Three hundred and fifty participants were Is exposure and response prevention treatment for recruited on-line and formed an international obsessive-compulsive disorder as aversive as we (English language proficient) and Australian sample. think?

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Exploratory factor analysis revealed 8 scales describing undesirable and desirable uses of humour REES., C. (Curtin University) [email protected] at work. These scales were presented to a second sample of employed people, together with measures eta-analytical studies have confirmed that of humour in general, personality, mood, social MExposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is desirability and altruism. The scale was subjected to the psychological treatment of choice for Obsessive- confirmatory factor analysis and then structural Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This behavioural equation modelling was used to validate the adjusted treatment involves the client confronting feared scale. The final version of the HAW was used to stimuli whilst refraining from completing their usual predict global job satisfaction and occupational ritualistic responses. This form of treatment is climate. associated with response rates between 63-90%. However, it has been estimated that approximately 30% of clients either refuse or drop-out of treatment. One major hypothesis that has been put forward to explain this phenomenon is that the treatment is

183 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

experienced as too aversive for clients. However, this Depressive symptoms and psychosocial explanation has largely been based on clinical functioning in preadolescent children observation and anecdotal evidence rather than actual RICCIARDELLI, LA., & McCABE, MP. (Deakin clinical data. The aim of the present study was to University) investigate the treatment experience of a group of [email protected] OCD clients with a specific focus on obtaining their feedback on the experience of completing ERP. A he current study was designed to determine the group of 10 clients with OCD who either dropped Tpercentage of children “at risk” of depression or out or completed ERP in the previous 18 months evidencing clinical levels of depression. Further, the were included in the study. Individual interviews contribution of affect, four aspects of self-concept and were conducted with each participant and themes peer relationship to clinical depression was also were collated. A number of specific and non-specific evaluated. Respondents were 510 children (270 boys, factors emerged as effecting engagement with ERP. 240 girls) who ranged in age from 7-13 years (mean = Treatment aversiveness did not emerge as a universal 9.39). Children completed questionnaire measures of factor in the experience of ERP. Results will be the above variables. The results demonstrated that discussed in terms of other factors effecting treatment 23% of children were either in the “at risk” or clinical experience and implications for improving treatment range of depression. Negative affect, academic self- accessibility and outcome for OCD. concept, social self-concept and global self-worth predicted levels of depression. There were also Climate change is much more than climate change differences between clinically depressed, “at risk” participants, and normal children on these variables. RESER, JP. (Griffith University) [email protected] Given these high levels of depression, it is important to implement health promotion programs for his paper examines why the name and construct children who evidence depression symptoms to Tof ‘climate change’ encompasses much more prevent the onset of clinical depression. than actual climate change, and why this greatly matters. The case is made that it is urgently necessary The impact of platonic and romantic relationship for there to be a much clearer reframing and quality on self-esteem in young adulthood conceptualising of just what climate change is and RICE, SM. (Australian Catholic University), & entails if there is to be a more effective and BURTON SMITH, RM. (University of Tasmania) collaborative addressing of those human impacts [email protected] contributing to and consequent upon climate change. ccording to lifespan perspectives, achieving the Central to this perspective and argument is the fact that what people are experiencing and responding to Aintimacy goals and identity formation of young adulthood depends in part on competence in in the context of climate change are principally navigating peer relationships. The current study Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 indirect and virtual media and information extended the work of Thomas and Daubman (2001) technology representations of climate change – not changes in global weather patterns or ongoing on adolescent peer relationships and self-esteem. Data environmental impacts per se. Effective strategies were analysed from 300 young adults comprising for addressing climate change and its more equal groups according to gender and the presence of consequential human impacts must be informed by a a current romantic partner. Scales measuring better understanding of how this phenomenon is Interpersonal Reward, Relationship Strength, and being represented, experienced, and understood by Maintenance Difficulty were completed in reference to a close same-, and opposite-sex friend, and an the public, and by those in policy relevant institutions and governments. The paper argues that opposite-sex romantic partner where appropriate. Stepwise regression indicated that the negative aspects psychology can play a crucial bridging role across the natural, social, and management sciences, and can of close relationships predicted self-esteem more strongly and consistently than did positive aspects of more strategically identify effective methods and more appropriate behaviour change targets with relationships. Further, self-esteem was predicted by respect to climate change mitigation and adaptation. romantic partnership for males but not females.

184 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Results challenge the belief that romantic partnership Schools have been identified as a particularly is more salient to the self-worth of females, and important setting for such interventions—to change indicate the importance of young adults resolving and the attitudes and behaviours of young people toward managing tension and strain in close relationships. consumers and carers, and also to encourage early mental health help-seeking behaviour for young Short-term volunteer telephone counselling people. This study investigated the impact of a support for people at high risk of suicide in the school-based education intervention (Mental Illness community: Impact on clients and counsellors Education ACT), where personal contact between RICKWOOD, D. (University of Canberra), & students and consumers and carers aims to reduce BEATON, S. (Lifeline Australia) stigma, and increase mental health literacy and [email protected] intentions to seek help for a mental health problem amongst high school students. A sample of almost olunteer telephone counselling to people at risk 700 high school aged student across 13 public and of suicide living in the community is part of the V private high schools and colleges throughout wider mental health care system in Australia. Lifeline Canberra, was obtained. Students completed self- Australia is a major provider of such a service and has report questionnaires before and after participating in recently piloted an expanded telephone counselling the education program and their results were service through Lifeline’s Suicide Crisis Support compared with a control group. Results indicated the Program (LSCSP). The program offers an informal program was effective in decreasing stigma and support (an experienced Lifeline telephone counsellor increasing knowledge, but had limited effect on volunteer) who provides short-term emotional encouraging help-seeking intentions. Changes in support via out-going telephone calls. This program empathetic concern and barriers to seeking help were has been trialling at eight Lifeline Centres, and investigated as possible mediators of program research has investigated its effectiveness for the effectiveness. clients and also the impact on LSCSP counsellors in this demanding volunteer role. A sample of program The impact of consumer participation and clients was assessed via structured interview at advocacy on recovery commencement and completion of the program to determine whether program objectives were met, and RICKWOOD, D., & SIMS, S. (University of Canberra) improvements were evident. A survey questionnaire [email protected] compared LSCSP counsellors with regular Lifeline wide range of peer-based consumer telephone counsellors on measures of wellbeing and Aparticipation and advocacy roles are increasingly job satisfaction. Both quantitative and qualitative available for people who have experienced mental measures demonstrated that the LSCSP counsellors illness. One such role is as a presenter for Mental valued their expanded role. The research contributes Illness Education ACT (MIEACT), where consumers

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 to our knowledge of how volunteer-based non- and carers present at schools and other community clinical community supports can work in venues, and use their personal stories as a vehicle to collaboration with mainstream mental health reduce the stigma of mental illness and improve services. mental health literacy among the community. A growing body of research attests to the effectiveness Reducing stigma and increasing mental health of such ‘contact’-based programs on the recipients of literacy through consumer contact the programs. However, there has been little research RICKWOOD, D., & CRISP, D. (University of Canberra) into the effects of delivering these programs on the [email protected] presenters themselves. While there are some indications that advocacy roles may be of benefit in any types of interventions have been developed assisting recovery, this has not been systematically to address mental illness stigma, including M explored. This study sought to investigate the impact community education and contact programs, where of an advocacy role as a consumer mental illness people who have experienced mental illness inform educator and presenter on mental health recovery. A the community by sharing their lived experiences. qualitative methodology was employed interviewing

185 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

30 MIEACT presenters. The themes that were identify the prevalence of mental health problems derived from the interviews revealed that among children referred to a CDU. Parents of 36 broadcasting in an advocacy role promoted mental children aged between 1 and 12 who had been health recovery through positive identity referred to a CDU in the Adelaide metropolitan area development and a process of personal growth. between November 2006 and July 2007 completed Importantly, however, there were some risks measures of their child’s emotional and behavioural involved in broadcasting and disclosure, which must functioning (Child Behaviour Checklist for 1.5-5 & 6- be considered for consumers and carers choosing to 18 years, Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000, 2001). participate in such advocacy roles. Children were rated as having a high prevalence of mental health problems with 55.6% in the clinical Gay and heterosexual men who act as known range for Total Problems. Among preschoolers, the sperm donors: A comparison of their motivations most commonly reported problem was Withdrawn and beliefs Behaviour (42.1%). In the school age group the most RIGGS, DW. (The University of Adelaide) frequently identified problems were Attention [email protected] Problems (64.7%), Aggressive Behaviour (52.9%) and Social Problems (52.9%). These very high rates of s a wider range of options become available to mental health problems need to be considered in Agay men and lesbians wishing to start families, service planning. so come with this reminders of the possible limits of gay and lesbian coalitionism. This is particularly the Trauma victims with PTSD have smaller case where growing numbers of lesbian women amygdala than those without PTSD negotiate with gay men to act as known sperm donors, but where these relationships are not ROGERS, MA. (Monash University) [email protected] protected, or at the very least clearly arbitrated, by the state. As a result, and where some who enter into his study employed MRI to examine the theory such arrangements find their positions shifting over Tthat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) time, this can result in negative consequences for all represents a failure to extinguish learned fears. As the parties. Using interview data with Australian gay amygdala and hippocampus are necessary for fear men who have acted as known donors, this paper extinction to occur, both regions may be abnormal in examines some of the discourses that shape such PTSD. Twenty-five people who experienced the men’s experiences. Particular attention will be paid to Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1997, 9 who later the implications of legal contexts wherein both developed PTSD and 16 who did not, underwent donors and recipients (specifically lesbians and gay MRI scanning. Manual tracing was employed to men) are not adequately supported, and how this can determine bilateral amygdala and hippocampus result in negative outcomes for all involved, but also volumes. Results indicted that the group that had

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 how gay men and lesbians successfully negotiate developed PTSD had significantly smaller mean supportive relationships in the service of family bilateral amygdala volume than did the group that creation through known donoring. did not develop PTSD. Furthermore, left amygdala volume showed a significant negative correlation Emotional and behavioural problems of children with severity of PTSD symptomatology. To our referred to a Child Development Unit knowledge, this is the first observation of an ROBERTS, RM., & BOYNTON, A. (University of association between PTSD and amygdala volume and Adelaide) represents support at the level of gross brain [email protected] morphology for the theory of PTSD as a failure of fear extinction. hild Development Units (CDUs) provide a Cmultidisciplinary approach to the assessment and management of children with developmental disabilities. However, the mental health of these children is not well understood. This study aimed to

186 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

Development and initial validation of the Brazil health services in NSW by having consumers highly Mood Scale involved in the research process. Consumer researchers were trained as researchers and were then ROHLFS, ICPM., ROTA, TM., LUFT, CB., ANDRADE, A., KREBS, RJ., CARVALHO, T. involved in the development and administration of a (Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina), IIZUKA, survey tool. The developed tool has 26 questions CA., & TERRY, PC. (University of Southern based on 11 themes and has recently been Queensland) administered by the trained consumer researchers to [email protected] 180 consumers at a NSW mental health NGO. The he present study developed and evaluated the results show that overall satisfaction is around 90%, TBrazil Mood Scale, a 24-item measure based on similar to the level when the survey is administered the Brunel Mood Scale. Mood descriptors were by mental health professionals, but that there are converted into Portuguese using the translation-back some areas of specific dissatisfaction, including the translation method. The revised scale was stigmatising attitudes of health professionals. Data is administered on two occasions to 298 participants in currently being gathered across two NSW NGOs to Brazil (173 males and 125 females; age: M = 18.3, SD further explore the reasons for satisfaction or = 5.1 yr.). Exploratory factor analysis recovered the dissatisfaction and to develop evidence based training hypothesised 6-factor solution (anger, confusion, for staff. The reasons for both satisfaction and depression, fatigue, tension, vigour) at T1 and T2, dissatisfaction will be discussed as well as explaining 68% and 72% of variance, respectively. questionnaire developments tailored specifically for Subscales for depression, fatigue, and vigour were use by Australian NGOs. recovered cleanly in both solutions; whereas the Can personality and emotional intelligence predict anger, confusion, and tension scales showed some leadership style? complexity. Cronbach alpha coefficients were acceptable for all subscales at T1 (range = .76 - .85) ROSE, T., JAGO, A., & MORDA, R. (Victoria and T2 (range = .79 - .90). Confirmatory factor University) analysis showed support for the measurement model, [email protected] 2 although some values were marginal (Ȥ /df: T1 = he importance of effective leadership in all facets 2.42, T2 = 2.28; CFI: T1 = .91, T2 = .93; TLI: T1 = Tof society should not be underestimated. Past .88, T2 = .91; RMSEA: T1 = .06, T2 = .06). Overall, research has focused more on understanding the the measure showed promising psychometric outcomes of effective leadership rather than on the characteristics and has proven to be a useful antecedents to leadership. The aim of this study was monitoring tool in a Brazilian context, having been to investigate whether personality and emotional introduced with members of the national basketball, intelligence could predict leadership style. gymnastics, judo, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, Participants were 715 people, comprising of 290

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 and volleyball teams. males and 425 females living in Victoria, Australia. Participants were required to complete a Consumer led evaluation of satisfaction with demographic questionnaire, the Sixteen Personality mental health services Factor Questionnaire (16PF), the Multifactor ROSE, GP., MALONE, J., KINGSTON, J. (Aftercare), Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Mayer- &. OADES, L. (University of Wollongong) Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test [email protected] (MSCEIT). Results revealed that overall emotional urveys of mental health service consumers intelligence is not a significant predictor of leadership Sregularly show approximately 90% satisfaction group. However when the emotional intelligence with the services but this strong result may be tainted subscales were added in place of overall emotional by administration by health professionals. The intelligence scores, results revealed that the emotional consumer evaluation of mental health services intelligence subscales Managing Emotions and instrument used was developed by the Illawarra Perceiving Emotions were significant predictors of Institute of Mental Health to develop a better tool for leadership group. Results also revealed that the measurement of consumer satisfaction of mental Independence was the most important predictor of 187 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

leadership group and that Anxiety was a significant his study investigated the personal, professional predictor of leadership group. Implications of the Tand political dimensions of psychologists’ social findings in relation to recruitment and selection, responsibility, as constructed within a case study of executive coaching and training and development one psychologist who responded to policies of were discussed. Recommendations were made deterrence by adopting a strong advocacy role in regarding future research using the emotional relation to a group of refugees seeking asylum in intelligence, personality and leadership constructs. Australia. A collaborative approach to inquiry was adopted, with in-depth and unstructured interviews A longitudinal investigation of chronic stress enabling discussions to be grounded in the within Australian corrections psychologist/co-researcher’s experiences. Fifteen RYAN, C., BROUGH, P., & BIGGS, A. (Griffith interviews were conducted over a period of eighteen University) months. Themes identified within the narrative were [email protected] organised around personal, professional and political dimensions. Clinical categories that define refugees as his research addresses repeated calls for traumatised were de-emphasised; instead the human longitudinal coping research and contributes to T faces and lives of refugees affected by policies of applied and theoretical knowledge of the stress deterrence were foregrounded. The study also process. A cybernetic framework was adopted to documented the holistic role of those who support assess causal relationships between neuroticism, refugees, highlighting both significant rewards and coping styles, job demands and strain in a sample of challenges for those involved. It is argued that our Correctional Service employees. Neuroticism and job personal experiences cannot be separated from our demands (monitoring and problem-solving demands) professional roles as psychologists, and that were investigated as both direct and indirect psychologists’ responses to social issues are inherently predictors of strain. Additionally, coping styles were political. Implications for future involvement in examined as a causal predictor of wellbeing and as a social issues, whether as citizens or as psychologists, mediator between the effects of demands and include the importance of advocating for justice at a neuroticism on wellbeing. Participants consisted of policy level, and the significance of practical, social 308 Corrective Services employees who responded to and economic assistance in addition to psychological two self-report surveys administered twice in a six support. month period. Neuroticism did not predict strain over time when coping styles were also included in Multiple psychological approaches to aid the analysis. Problem-solving demands predicted community integration following traumatic brain strain over time, but monitoring demands did not. injury: A case study Additionally, the causal relationship between coping and psychological distress produced only weak SARANDREA, AM., & WALKER, AJ. (Westmead Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service) Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 results: only one style of coping (accommodation [email protected] coping) mediated the relationship between job demands and strain. In conclusion, the failure of he interaction of cognitive, behavioural and neuroticism (and limited contribution of coping Temotional sequelae following traumatic brain styles) to causally contribute to psychological distress injury with premorbid psychosocial status often supports arguments that organisations should address results in an emergence or exacerbation of work-related factors, rather than personal psychological issues which impact on participation, characteristics, to actually improve the psychological levels of functioning and community reintegration. health of their employees. This paper will describe how the use of individual, group and consultative approaches assisted in “A journey with no maps”: A case study on managing psychological issues. The focus will be an psychologists’ social responsibility outpatient of the Westmead Brain Injury SAMPSON, E., & GRIDLEY, H. (Victoria University) Rehabilitation Service, who presented with a [email protected] complex set of psychological problems including suicidal ideation, impulse dyscontrol, anger,

188 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

gambling, binge-eating, depression and anxiety, social Internet-based studies of recreational isolation and family conflict. Interventions were ecstasy/MDMA other social drug use individual therapy (modified cognitive behaviour SCHOLEY, AB (Swinburne University of Technology), therapy, Motivational Interviewing and solution- RODGERS J. (Newcastle University, UK), focused techniques), Specialised Anger Management BUCHANAN, T. (Westminster University, UK), LING, Group, an Attendant Care programme and J. (Keele University, UK), TIPLADY, B. (Edinburgh, consultation. There was an improvement in UK), HEFFERNAN, T., KENNEDY, D. (Northumbria psychological health, participation, functioning and University, UK), & PARROTT, AC. (Swansea overall community reintegration. The benefit of University, UK) [email protected] combining multiple approaches as well as tailoring and modifying techniques will be discussed. e have conducted several Internet Winvestigations into recreational users of Supervisee experiences in clinical supervision: A MDMA (Ecstasy) and other psychosocial drugs. qualitative study These WWW studies have involved extensive SCHOFIELD, MJ. (La Trobe University), & GRANT, sampling, strict data screening procedures, and large JA. (Curtin University) drug groups. The first study involved +700 [email protected] participants, and revealed a pattern of selective neurocognitive deficits, with cannabis significantly ncreasing attention is being paid to the role of associated with everyday memory problems, and clinical supervision as a lifelong learning process, I MDMA linked more to prospective memory yet we know little about how supervisees best learn difficulties (Rodgers et al, 2003). The next study and what makes effective supervision. This paper involved 206 recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users, examines supervisee experiences of the supervisory when extensive dancing ‘on-Ecstasy’ was statistically relationship. The study aimed to understand how linked with more memory problems, subjective supervisees choose their supervisor, what they complaints of depression, and experience as helpful and unhelpful, and how they concentration/organizational difficulties, in the days manage difficulties in the supervisory relationship. afterwards. Furthermore some of these The qualitative study involved in-depth interviews psychobiological problems were also associated with with 7 supervisor-supervisee dyads. Sampling began self-rated thermal distress (Parrott et al, 2006). with a purposive sample of senior members of the Polydrug recreational usage is also widespread profession with considerable expertise in supervision, (Scholey et al, 2004), and alcohol and and from varied theoretical orientations. Each cigarettes/nicotine can also contribute to the adverse supervisor recruited one of their supervisees. neurocognitive/memory profiles (Heffernan et al, Interviews were first conducted with supervisors on 2005; Ling et al, 2003). Findings from the most recent their theory of supervision and application of theory studies involving other psychoactive drugs, and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 in practice. An Interpersonal Process Recall method objective on-line performance testing, will also be was then used to independently explore supervisor presented. and supervisee reflections on one of their videotaped supervision sessions. This paper presents findings of Low mindfulness uniquely predicts catastrophising the experiences of the 7 supervisees in relation to in a fear-avoidance model of chronic pain three domains: i) what they sought in supervision and how they chose their supervisor, ii) the supervisory SCHÜTZE, R., REES, C. (Curtin University of events they found most helpful and unhelpful; iii) Technology), SCHÜTZE, M., & PREECE, M. (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital) how they identified and managed difficulties that [email protected] arose in the context of the supervisory relationship. he relationship between persistent pain and self- Tdirected, non-reactive awareness of present moment experience (i.e., mindfulness) was explored in one of the dominant psychological theories of chronic pain – the fear-avoidance model (Vlaeyen &

189 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

Linton, 2000). A heterogeneous sample of 104 be presented together with the implications for chronic pain outpatients at a multidisciplinary pain promoting exercise and wellbeing. clinic in Western Australia completed psychometrically sound self-report measures of Quality of life among cancer survivors who mindfulness and major variables in this model: Pain provide peer support intensity, negative affect, pain catastrophising, pain- SCHWERKOLT, CA. (University of Tasmania), & related fear, pain hypervigilance, and functional MOORE, KA. (Charles Darwin University) disability. Correlational analysis showed that, with [email protected] the exception of pain intensity, mindfulness he effects of cancer have been widely investigated significantly negatively predicts each of these but less so the benefits of providing peer support variables at a Bonferroni-corrected alpha level (p < T by survivors of cancer. In this study, we investigated .004), accounting for 17–41% of their variance. the impact of age of diagnosis, late effects of cancer, Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed low social and relationship factors, coping and personality mindfulness uniquely predicts pain catastrophising dimensions on quality of life (QoL) of cancer when other variables are controlled, and mediates survivors who provide peer support. In addition, we between pain intensity and catastrophising. This is tested whether the reasons cancer survivors volunteer the first empirical evidence substantiating the link as peer supporters enhanced their QoL. Ninety-one between mindfulness and pain catastrophising, and supporters (65 females) from the total cohort of 126 suggests mindfulness might be added to the fear- volunteers, mean age 58.90 years (SD = 9.82) avoidance model. Clinical implications include the participated in the study. QoL was predicted best by use of mindfulness screening and therapies in early psychological factors (b= .93) rather than physical or interventions for chronic pain. social, so was used as a measure of QoL. QoL was Exercise and stress: Underlying commonalities and directly predicted by a sense of control and older age differences at diagnosis, but inversely related to late effects. While a sense of optimism predicted control and a SCHWERKOLT, CA. (University of Tasmania), & sense of challenge as a coping function, it was only MOORE, KA. (Charles Darwin University) [email protected] borderline in its prediction of QoL. Therapeutic benefits (for self) and energy/positive were most oth exercise and stress have known health effects: predictive of the survivors’ reasons for volunteering, Bthe one positive, the other negative. While there but volunteering in itself was not predictive of an is some evidence to suggest exercise may be enhanced sense of QoL. Implications for the implicated in the experience of lower stress levels and recruitment and well being of peer support providers that each may be influenced by personality are discussed. dimensions, the commonality of these dimensions has

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 not been investigated. It was the aim of this study to The reactive-proactive aggression typology and its investigate the relationship between exercise differential correlates in Asian adolescents behaviour and stress levels and to ascertain if SEAH, SL., & ANG, RP. (Nanyang Technological common personality traits and coping styles University, Singapore) contributed to these as outcomes. One hundred and [email protected] ninety-one participants (122 females) mean age 29.9 (SD= 11.4 years) completed measures of sociotrophy ifferential relationships between reactive and and autonomy - The Personal Style Inventory 11, the Dproactive aggression, and narcissism, anxiety, Deakin Coping Scale, Bandura’s Self-efficacy schizotypal traits, and interpersonal relations, were Inventory, Kobasa’s Hardiness Inventory, a measure examined in an Asian adolescent sample of 698 of Perceived Stress, and a series of questions related to students from seventh to ninth grade. Results showed exercise behaviour, motivation, and enjoyment. The that proactive aggression significantly predicted interrelationships amongst the variables, and in narcissism while reactive aggression did not. relation to exercise behaviour and levels of stress, will However, reactive aggression emerged a significant predictor of anxiety and schizotypal traits, but

190 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

proactive aggression did not. Also, both reactive and Changing end-of-life treatment decisions creates proactive aggression were significantly related to false memories poor interpersonal relations, with reactive aggression SHARMAN, SJ. (University of New South Wales) having a stronger relationship with poor [email protected] interpersonal relations, than proactive aggression. Study findings extend current aggression research on wo experiments investigated the creation of false differential correlates of reactive and proactive Tmemories for end-of-life decisions and strategies aggression in an Asian context, and support the to prevent those false memories. Subjects imagined theoretical distinction between reactive and proactive hypothetical medical scenarios before deciding aggression. whether they would want to receive different treatments. They made these decisions twice, Prevention of depression and anxiety online approximately four months apart. At Time 2, SETHI, S., & CAMPELL, A. (The University of Sydney) subjects also recalled their Time 1 decisions. In [email protected] Experiment 1, subjects who recalled their Time 1 decisions before making their Time 2 decisions had xisting studies have shown that though the same number of false memories as subjects who Epsychotherapeutic treatments such as cognitive made their Time 2 decisions first. In Experiment 2, behavioural therapy (CBT) are effective in treating giving subjects reminders about their decisions did adolescent anxiety, however, only a minority of not reduce their false memories. Additionally, sufferers seek such treatments. Barriers to accessing showing subjects their Time 1 decisions did not psychologists include shortage of skilled therapists, increase the stability of their decisions. Across both long waiting lists, and affordability. By utilizing the experiments, when subjects changed their minds, Internet, psychologists are seeking to expand the they were more likely to falsely remember that their delivery avenues of psychological treatment. This Time 1 decisions were the same as their Time 2 research examines the long-term efficacy of online decisions than when their decisions stayed the same. counselling to treat adolescent depression and anxiety The implications for policymakers are discussed. (ADA). This research employs a repeated-measures design to examine the efficacy of online therapy. A Interference in visual memory for abstract stimuli survey collecting data on anxiety and depressive and everyday objects symptoms, dysfunctional thoughts, distress, and SHAW, R., & TURNER, J. (Charles Sturt University) knowledge of psychological treatments was collected [email protected] pre and post deliverance of treatment. Results depict that standalone face-to-face treatment of ADA is not hah, Miyake, Friedman, Rettinger and Hegarty as effective as face-to-face treatment in conjunction S(2001) suggest that the visuospatial sketchpad is with online therapy. It was further observed that closely linked to the central executive. However,

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 participants were more knowledgeable of treatment most research in this area has used abstract stimuli to options available to them post online therapy. With test visual memory. The current study compared respect to the wider community, this research memory for abstract stimuli to memory for pictures provides information to plan an effective and of everyday objects to examine whether both types of accessible model of treatment delivery for ADA, memory were impaired under dual task conditions. building upon the existing model of the provision of Thirty-seven first year psychology undergraduates mental health services in both urban and rural aged between 18 to 48 years completed visual Australia. memory tasks for abstract polygons and everyday objects under three conditions, no secondary task, articulatory suppression and spatial tapping conditions. The results of the study showed that memory for everyday objects was higher than memory for abstract shapes. The results also revealed that memory for both types of stimuli was impaired in the articulatory suppression condition. Memory

191 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

for abstract shapes was impaired by the inclusion of two variables were tested: the first hypothesised that the spatial tapping task but memory for everyday poorer self-reported sleep quality would predict objects was not. These results suggest that increased depressive symptoms prospectively and the participants use verbal labels to remember visual second that depressive symptoms earlier on in memory stimuli, regardless of whether the stimuli are pregnancy would predict poorer sleep quality late in conducive to such labelling. The results also suggest pregnancy. The first of these models was supported that memory for abstract stimuli likely requires by our findings. Both sleep quality and depressive central executive resources to a greater extent than symptoms remained relatively stable across memory for pictures of everyday objects. pregnancy, and sleep quality earlier in pregnancy predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms later The research evidence base of counselling in pregnancy (after controlling for prior depression psychology levels). In contrast, there was no evidence to suggest SIMMONDS, JG. (Monash University) that depressive symptoms earlier in pregnancy [email protected] impacted on sleep quality later on. Given that depressive symptomatology can lead to major ounselling psychology has drawn on and depression and given the prevalence of pre- and Ccontributed to an active research base from postnatal depression, our findings suggest that before its inception as a distinct American screening for sleep problems during pregnancy may Psychological Association ‘Division’ in 1951. be of clinical significance. Prominent early researchers contributing to the field included Rogers, Truax and Carhuff, with Carl Humour effects upon stress and well-being Rogers as the first researcher to audio-record psychotherapy sessions for research purposes. SMITH, N., GROSS, J., WARD, K., & KINNELL, R. (University of Canberra) Notably, much cited research regarding the evidence [email protected] base of psychotherapy, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship to effective outcomes, has he current study aimed to investigate the continued to stem from counselling psychology. This Tinfluence of humour as a coping strategy on two specialty’s commitment and adherence to a scientist- indicators of university students’ well-being. Well- practitioner model has been robustly debated from being was separately assessed by an individual’s level within, and demonstrably reaffirmed in training, of psychological distress (GHQ-12) and their level of practice, and use of research, as discussed in this satisfaction with life (PWI-A). It was hypothesised paper. that students higher in humour (Coping Humour Scale; CHS) would demonstrate less psychological A prospective assessment of the relationship distress and greater satisfaction with life while stress between sleep quality and depression through was expected to have both direct and indirect effects

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 pregnancy on well-being. Participants were 42 male and 136 female university students. Regression analyses SKOUTERIS, H. (Deakin University), GERMANO, C., WERTHEIM, EH., PAXTON, SJ. (La Trobe revealed that high levels of stress best predict University), & MILGROM, J. (The University of psychological distress while low levels of stress best Melbourne) predict satisfaction with life. Significant inverse [email protected] relationships were found between humour and stress he relationship between depressive symptoms (r = -.25), and humour with psychological distress (r Tand sleep quality was explored prospectively = - .19). A significant positive relationship was found across pregnancy with a sample 273 women who between humour and satisfaction with life (r = .15). were 15-23 weeks gestation at the outset of the study. Mediation analyses (Baron & Kenny, 1986) revealed Each woman completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality the relationship between humour and both Index and Beck Depression Inventory at this time psychological distress and satisfaction with life were point and then at eight-week intervals after first fully mediated by stress. We argue that university contact, at 23-31 weeks and at 31-39 weeks gestation. intervention programs that encourage awareness and Two main models of the relationship between these discussion of emotions, and teach coping strategies 192 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

such as the use of humour could positively influence The results revealed that family history of breast well-being. cancer, knowledge of BSE procedures and of breast cancer, and three health beliefs (barriers, confidence Psychological dimensions of online sexual activity and motivation) predicted the practice or SQUIRRELL, MR., KNOWLES, A., & KYRIOS, M. performance of BSE. Women in the high risk group (Swinburne University of Technology) (older age group) practised BSE significantly more [email protected] than did women in the low risk group. An earlier analysis suggested that frequency of BSE is also he proposed paper is an Internet-based study of associated with lower mental health (depression and the psychological characteristics of individuals T anxiety tended to be higher among those practicing who engage in online sexual activity (OSA), or BSE). Further studies are needed to separate age, Cybersex. In the context of this paper, Cybersexual other demographics, and mental health issues in the behaviour includes using the Internet to access Adult- practice of BSE. Chat rooms, Web-camera, erotic images, and Cybersex Newsgroups. Data were collected from Refugee child and adolescent help-seeking for 1704 participants who completed an online social, behavioural and mental health problems questionnaire over a three month period. The questionnaire was regularly posted on the message STEWART, H., ZIAIAN, T., PROCTER, NG., boards of Google and Yahoo Cybersex Newsgroups. (University of South Australia), BAGHURST, P. (Women’s & Children’s Hospital), & SAWYER, M., The research represents one of the largest (University of Adelaide) international studies of OSA and includes a range of [email protected] psychological variables. The research explores the relationships between a range of demographic seeming consensus has emerged in Australia and variables including gender, age, relationship status, Aother Western resettlement countries that many country of origin, and sexual orientation and a refugee children and adolescents with social, number of psychological variables. Some of the behavioural and mental health problems are not psychological variables investigated include accessing mental health services. There is, however, attachment style, loneliness, depression, anxiety, very little refugee-specific, let alone child-specific, stress, impulsivity and psychosexual adjustment research in the area of help-seeking and service measures such as sexual anxiety and sexual utilisation. Most research interest has centred on confidence. Theoretical, research and clinical Western and, to a lesser extent, non-refugee ethnic implications of findings will be discussed. minority adult populations. Moreover, informal help- seeking is rarely explored and most formal help- Family history of breast cancer, health beliefs and seeking research focuses on specialist mental health knowledge in the practice of breast self- services and neglects the full range of service sectors and settings where mental health care is provided.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 examination This mixed-methods study investigated the informal STEPHAN, J., & HICKS, R. (Bond University) [email protected] and formal help-seeking rates and patterns of 500 refugee children and adolescents aged between 4 and he present study investigated the relationship 17 years from the former Republics of Yugoslavia, Tbetween frequency of breast self-examination the Middle East, South Asia and Northern and (BSE), family history of breast cancer and health Western Africa. This paper presents the key beliefs in Australian women comparing both low risk preliminary results of the study, with a particular (<45 years) and high risk women (>45 years). The focus on the qualitative findings of 13 focus groups sample was divided into two equal groups of 131 with 84 adolescents from the above ethnic groupings. participants (low risk and high risk). Self report The qualitative findings reveal that refugee questionnaires administered were part of a larger adolescents are very reluctant to venture beyond study and included a bio-data and general their close peer networks for help with their information questionnaire on breast self-examination, psychosocial problems due to a range of individual, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) Questionnaire. cultural and service related barriers. The study has

193 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

practical implications for policymakers, service Development of a web-based multimedia tool to planners and service providers seeking to improve improve and assess psychology students access and equity in service provision to refugee understanding of cultural factors impacting populations. psychological diagnosis

Attachment style and parent behaviour as SULLIVAN, KA., & SHARMAN, R. (Queensland University of Technology) predictors of fathers’ emotional wellbeing [email protected] following marital breakdown dvances in multimedia technologies have STEWART, JA., & McGREGOR, R. (Deakin University) Aallowed for the inclusion of web-based multi [email protected] media (WBMM) tools alongside traditional teaching methods; a development that has proven both his study investigated the influence of effective and popular with tertiary students (Kahan et Tattachment style and parent behavioural al, 2007; Mackey & Jinwon, 2008). This study patterns, on the life satisfaction and emotional implemented a WBMM tool designed to enhance and wellbeing, of fathers, following marital breakdown. assess students’ understanding of cultural factors The participant fathers (N = 48) were required to impacting psychological diagnosis. To simulate the have been separated from their co-parent ex-partner type of client information that is typically available for at least one year. Attachment style (secure, in clinical practice, students were given a patient preoccupied, fearful avoidant, and dismissing summary and access to a taped interview between a avoidant) predicted emotional health and life psychologist and young Aboriginal man. Students satisfaction. It was suggested that three commonly were instructed to choose their own research tools observed post-separation father parent behaviours: and resources in order to better understand their Stable and consistent parenting, Disengaged parenting, client’s background and presentation. They were and Conflictual parenting (Baum, 2004), would be asked to comment on a) the client’s provisional associated with emotional wellbeing and life diagnosis and b) complete an online quiz regarding satisfaction. Analysis revealed that, although there the cultural factors needing to be taken into account was little relationship between fathers’ attachment in making a psychological diagnosis (pre-test). After styles and parent behavioural styles, parent behaviour submitting their initial responses, students were given did contribute to emotional wellbeing and life access to a range of psychological and cultural satisfaction. It was also observed that re-partnered / resources and asked to complete the cultural remarried fathers (n = 16) were more likely to be awareness questionnaire again (post-test). Results securely attached, and had significantly better mental from a pilot study using third year psychology health, with less depression and anxiety, and greater students will be presented. life satisfaction than single / separated fathers (n =

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 32). Overall, it was concluded that fathers with Coronary heart disease risk reduction and conflictual parent behaviour patterns had less consumption of foods rich in omega-3 satisfaction with their lives, and those with fearful polyunsaturated fatty acids: A psychosocial avoidant attachment, in particular, and those who perspective using information to mediate between were separated / single, were most at risk of poorer attitudes, intentions and decision-making emotional wellbeing and less satisfaction with their behaviour lives. SUMMERS, JM., DELFABBRO, PH. (University of Adelaide), & COX, DN. (CSIRO Human Nutrition) [email protected] ong chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids L(n-3) are thought to benefit human health, particularly in respect to reducing risk of heart disease. However, most Australians do not consume enough n-3. Socio-demographic variables and

194 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

psychological variables such as perceptions, attitudes for major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress and beliefs impact on food-orientated health disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as high and low behaviours. The aim of this research was to psychosocial wellbeing. Results of both studies will understand what demographic, situational and be presented, with a focus on implications for psychological variables influence people’s attitudes, psychologists, such as how best to talk to Sudanese beliefs, and ability to consume beneficial quantities of Australian young people about wellbeing. n-3 foods. A quantitative longitudinal study involved a survey of 500 adult South Australians using a (3 x 2 Growing older: A qualitative inquiry into the x 2) informational source design. Results of textured realities of older, rural women preliminary analyses at baseline show significant TERRILL, LG., & GULLIFER, J. (Charles Sturt attitudinal and intentional differences toward the University) consumption of n-3 foods dependent upon level of [email protected] heart disease risk. Information provision was also his qualitative study explored the age-related found to affect the likelihood of increasing changes and experiences of older, rural women. consumption of some n-3 foods. The study has T Semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio implications for how health-related information recorded with eight Anglo-Australian women ranging relating to n-3 and cardiac risk may be provided to in age between 65-75 years. Interviews were enhance people’s awareness and behaviour. transcribed verbatim and subjected to a thematic “Mental health? I don’t think Sudanese have it!”: analysis, resulting in the construction of three Talking to Sudanese refugee youth about their prominent themes: (a) the free and busy me; (b) the understandings of mental health and wellbeing secret is being positive and pragmatic; and (c) narratives of growth and stagnation. These themes were TEMPANY, M., HAY, M., ZION, D. (Monash conceptualised within a feminist lifespan perspective University), & GIFFORD, S. (La Trobe University) on ageing, and highlight the pursuit of growth among [email protected] older women in order to enhance the current self. ver the past decade, more than 22,000 Sudanese Findings emphasise the construction of later life as OHumanitarian Entrants have resettled in one of liberation, resilience, and growth. Further to Australia (Department of Immigration and this, an exploration of the intersubjective dynamics Citizenship, 2007). Despite high levels of resilience in between author and participants draws attention to the Sudanese community, research suggests that the socially constructed nature of each woman’s experiences of pre-displacement trauma and post- “self” narrative. displacement stressors impact negatively on the mental health of refugees. However, strategies Mood and anxiety scores predict winners and typically used by Australian psychologists for losers in tennis

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 treating mental health problems and promoting TERRY, PC., & MUNRO, A. (University of Southern wellbeing may not be culturally appropriate or Queensland) effective for Sudanese Australian young people. [email protected] Hence this research project was designed to sychological measures have previously been qualitatively explore and describe concepts of mental shown to be predictive of sport performance health and wellbeing held by Sudanese Australian P across a range of sports. The present study assessed young people resettled in Melbourne. Twenty-four the capacity of pre-competition mood and anxiety to Sudanese Australian young people (aged 16-24 years) predict tennis results. A sample of 92 social- participated in Study 1, a semi-structured interview competitive tennis players (49 men and 43 women, designed to explore concepts of mental health and mean 39.7 years, range 19-62) completed the Brunel wellbeing using a constructivist, ‘bottom-up’ Mood Scale (BRUMS) and the revised Competitive approach. Twenty-two of the same participants then State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R) prior to weekly took part in Study 2, a structured, mixed methods, competitions, producing a dataset of 567 matches. vignette-based interview using a ‘top-down’ Discriminant function analysis showed that the approach. Vignette characters were based on criteria outcome of matches could be correctly classified with 195 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

60% accuracy (p < .01). Consistent with theoretical that researchers investigating anxiety in sport should predictions, low scores for confusion, depression, use the CSAI-2R in preference to the original CSAI-2. tension, anger, and cognitive anxiety, and high scores for self-confidence were significant predictors of Effects of attentional focus instructions on putting winning performances. Using the two measures performance at different levels of skill independently, the BRUMS provided 56.8% correct development classifications (p < .01) and the CSAI-2R provided THOMAS, PR., NEUMANN, DL. (Griffith University), 58.7% (p < .01). Notably, a much higher proportion & HOOPER, SL. (Queensland Academy of Sport) of winners (78.5%) than losers (38.3%) were correctly [email protected] classified from mood scores, suggesting greater lthough the ability to focus attention on the potential for predicting winning performances from task at hand is crucial in sport, it is not clear positive moods than losing performances from A whether athletes at different levels of skill negative moods. Results are consistent with Morgan’s development benefit from the same attentional focus mental health model and Martens’ multidimensional strategies during performance. Traditional skill anxiety theory, and can be used to inform acquisition theories suggest that novices focus interventions applied by sport psychologists with internally on technique when learning to execute tennis players. skills. Such a focus, however, can be Psychometric re-evaluation of the revised version counterproductive for experienced and elite athletes of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 who often perform better with an external attentional focus. Indeed, recent research suggests TERRY, PC., & MUNRO, A. (University of Southern that novices also benefit from an external attentional Queensland) focus. The purpose of this study was to examine the [email protected] putting performances of groups of novice (n = 18), he Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 experienced (n = 16) and elite (n = 16) golfers when T(CSAI-2) has been the measure of choice among instructed to focus attention (a) their own way anxiety researchers in the sport domain since its (baseline), (b) on an aspect of their technique, (c) on development in 1990. A 17-item revised version, the improving their initial performance, (d) on beating CSAI-2R, was developed in 2003 by Cox and the best score for their group, or (e) on the ball while colleagues. The present study re-evaluated the trusting their body to perform the skill. The results psychometric characteristics of the CSAI-2R. of within and between group comparisons of putting Repeated measures data from 92 social-competitive performances under the five attentional focus tennis players at five points in time were subjected to conditions are reported, and the implications of the principal axis factoring with promax rotation. Results findings for sport psychology interventions and supported the hypothesized, 3-factor measurement coaching practices are discussed.

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 model. The measurement model was recovered at all time points, with solutions explaining between 58.1% Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about stroke and and 68.8% of variance. Minimal complexity among stroke prevention among the Greek and items was evident. Cronbach alpha coefficients Vietnamese older people exceeded criterion values for all subscales at each time THOMAS, T. (RMIT University) point. Inter-correlations among factors were in line [email protected] with theoretical predictions and supported their conceptual independence. Overall, results supported troke is the third most common cause of death in the factorial validity of the revised scale in five SAustralia, accounting for 10 per cent of all deaths replications. The present findings indicate that the and 25 per cent of chronic disabilities. Unfortunately, CSAI-2R has satisfactory psychometric stroke continues to remain a poorly understood characteristics, unlike those reported by Lane and illness by many Australians of non-English speaking colleagues in 1999 for the original CSAI-2, which backgrounds. This study investigated the showed a flawed measurement model. Results suggest understanding of stroke, including identification of perceived stroke risk factors within two large ethnic

196 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

communities in Australia, the Vietnamese and the Using the internet to help treat remote clients: Greek communities. Over 200 members of the two Results of Australian clinical trials treating communities were interviewed individually. The common mental disorders on-line results indicated that although the Greek older TITOV, N. (UNSW at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney)*, people had a better knowledge about stroke than the ANDREWS, G.*, SCHWENCKE, G. (St Vincent’s Vietnamese, both groups had faulty beliefs and Hospital, Sydney)**, PERINI, S. **, WIMS, E. **, & passive attitudes about stroke prevention. Issues MAHONEY, A.** related to stroke prevention for older persons in a [email protected] multicultural society are then discussed. ess than 50% of people with depression, social The relationship between organisational Lphobia, or panic disorder seek treatment, often identification, organisational commitment and because of difficulty accessing mental health services, turnover intentions in the Australian Defence stigma/embarrassment, or lack of knowledge about Organisation treatment options. The present paper describes the results of two randomized controlled trials of THORP, D. (Department of Defence), & BROWN, PM. Internet-based treatment for social phobia (n = 182) (University of Canberra) (Titov et al., 2008a, 2008b), and the results of [email protected] preliminary trials for depression and social phobia. revious research has suggested that employee Each treatment program involves participants having Pcommitment, and identification with the regular email contact with a therapist, completing on- organisation, are strong negative predictors of staff line lessons of cognitive-behavioural treatment, turnover. This study examined how commitment and completing practical homework assignments, and identification impact on employees’ turnover reading and posting messages and homework intentions in the Australian Defence Organisation assignments an on-line discussion forum. Overall (ADO). A survey was conducted with 282 ADO results for the social phobia program are comparable employees from four Defence Service groups: Army, to those obtained in high quality face-to-face Navy, Air Force and Civilians. Participants treatment. These results indicate that Psychologist completed measures of organisational commitment, guided Internet-based treatment programs can be identification with different levels of the organisation developed for people with social phobia, panic (Defence, Service, Team) and turnover intentions. disorder, and depression, who might not access face- Results showed that military participants identified to-face treatment. most strongly with their service whereas civilians identified more strongly with their immediate team. Using computers to help clinicians treat clients Higher levels of commitment and identification were with common mental disorders: A demonstration associated with lower turnover intentions. Multiple of The Shyness Program for treating social phobia

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 regression analysis showed that the strongest TITOV, N., ANDREWS, G. (UNSW at St Vincent’s predictors of turnover intentions were: affective Hospital, Sydney), SCHWENCKE, G., PERINI, S., commitment (where employees stay because they WIMS, E., & MAHONEY, A. (St Vincent’s Hospital, want to), normative commitment (where employees Sydney) stay because they feel they ought to), and [email protected] identification with Defence as a whole, respectively. omputers and the Internet can help The relationship between identification and turnover CPsychologists successfully treat clients with intentions was mediated by affective commitment. common mental disorders, either remotely or face-to- This study offers insight into the relationship face. This paper describes how The Shyness Program, between organisational commitment and a successful Internet-based treatment program for organisational identification, and has practical people with social phobia (developed at CRUFAD, implications for organisations wanting to minimise UNSW at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney), can be of employee turnover. significant advantage to clinicians and consumers. Advantages to clinicians include the ability to provide the educational component of treatment in an

197 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

engaging and consistent manner, providing the PNI studies have been conducted in the developed clinician with more “therapy” time. Consumers can world, especially North America. log in when convenient to read lessons or post material in the forum, repeat lessons as needed, and AFP psychological response to critical incidents learn from the experiences of other consumers. The TORRES, C. (Australian Federal Police) structured lessons also provide consumers with a [email protected] clear sense of progress and provide discussion points for face-to-face therapy. The software program his paper will elucidate the response to critical means that questionnaires can be easily administered, Tincidents undertaken by the Australian Federal scored, and the results reported and analysed Police (AFP) multidisciplinary Wellbeing Services immediately, assisting in quality assurance. (WS) team. The AFP’s operations extend globally and Additional teaching materials can easily be included consist of staff operating in 35 liaison posts and a in the program, catering for the needs of specific number of larger ‘missions’ around the world. As a clients. The results of treatment satisfaction result, the organisation ‘frequently’ finds itself questionnaires indicate that consumers find computer responding to critical incidents involving its people. and Internet-based treatment programs acceptable The presenter, a clinical psychologist in the AFP, will and effective. describe the development of and changes to the critical incident response undertaken by the Beyond pharmacology: Psychological organisation’s Wellbeing Services team over the interventions in HIV infection course of the last four years. The discussion will centre on the perspective of the WS team and its TODD, P. (Independent Practice) response in these situations, as well as looking at how [email protected] the perception of and engagement with the service he emergence of multiple drug resistant strains of has changed over time from the organisational THIV creates the need for a renewed focus upon perspective. A number of examples will be used to the status of scientific knowledge concerning the discuss relevant issues involved from a psychological impact of psychosocial and emotional factors upon perspective, including the response to the Jakarta immunity, disease progression and AIDS mortality in Embassy bombing in Jakarta in September 2004, the HIV seropositive persons. To this end, the field of Asian Tsunami disaster victim identification effort in psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has provided a vast Phuket, Thailand in December 2004 / January 2005 empirical data base of psychosocial determinants of and, more recently, the Garuda plane crash in immunity, illness progression and mortality in HIV Yogyakarta (March 2007). infection since the early 1980’s. Such data have demonstrated that psychosocial factors are highly Assessing practice effort and performance significant predictors of behaviour known to enhance outcomes following failure induced shame

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 risk of exposure to HIV and therefore need to be TREEBY, MS., & THOMPSON, T. (University of considered as a vital foundation of primary Tasmania) prevention programs aiming to minimize new [email protected] infection rates. This paper reviews the psychosocial chievement shame-prone individuals tend to factors already identified as significant to both attribute failure to characterological flaws, primary and secondary prevention while outlining A experiencing heightened anxiety and global feelings directions for future research, including the need for of self-debasement. As such, they are more sensitive studies which permit the use of multivariate to the negative effects of failure, disengaging from techniques such as hierarchical logistic regression and tasks that forebode failure by reigning in practice discriminant function analyses. Homophobia in effort and as a consequence, performing poorly, particular seems to be a health menace as a irrespective of whether there are excuses for prior determinant of high risk behaviour, failure. In the present study, 72 undergraduate immunosuppression and AIDS mortality. Cross students who were either high or low in achievement cultural validation of research is emphasised as most shame-proneness were assigned to one of three

198 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

performance feedback conditions: Humiliating restrictions, increased risk of advanced disease and failure, failure allowing face-saving and success. To morbidity, and delays in seeking medical advice for assess performance, they subsequently completed 12 treatable conditions. A Dramatic Psychological remote associates tasks, followed by 16 unicursal Storytelling intervention will be used as an attempt tasks during what was believed to be a practice to bridge the communication gap between obese period, providing an assessment of task people and the wider community. The research disengagement in the form of intentional low effort. participants’ lived experiences of obesity-related Students high in achievement shame-proneness stigma will be respectfully transformed into vignettes, reported greater state anxiety and performed poorly which will be interspersed with current obesity on remote associates following humiliating failure research information for a community awareness and failure allowing face-saving. Moreover, in each film. Common misperceptions about obesity and of the failure conditions, high achievement shame- obese people will be debunked. Attention will also be prone participations spent less time on the unicursal drawn to social conditioning, which may lead tasks, attempted fewer items, traced fewer nodes, and individuals to intentionally or unwittingly solved fewer problems. Implications are drawn in the discriminate against and stigmatise obese people. terms of the manner in which the unproductive People learn through experience and, by vicariously attributions made by achievement shame-prone ‘experiencing’ what it is like to be stigmatised due to students following failure are best altered. obesity, the audiences’ understanding of the participants’ lived experiences will be facilitated. The st Crisis management in the 21 Century – How aim is to empower obese research participants, evoke prepared are school counsellors in Australian in-group empathy, and enhance their self-perceived schools? psychological wellbeing by giving them a voice and TRETHOWAN, V., & KNOWLES, A. (Swinburne enabling them to use their lived experiences in a University of Technology) positive way to educate others. The researcher’s [email protected] personal lived experience of obesity-related stigma raises issues of objectivity versus insight for here is increasing recognition that traumatic discussion. Tevents impact on our school communities. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive school-based The challenge of climate change; the challenge for crisis management model and to identify the role of psychology school counsellors in managing trauma. One hundred and twenty school counsellors (psychologists and UZZELL, D. (University of Surrey) social workers) were surveyed to determine current [email protected] levels of crisis management training. Results showed he APS position paper on climate change asserts 85% of the respondents wanted further training in Tthat “Psychology as a discipline is ideally

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 dealing with traumatic events impacting on their positioned to provide expert advice on fostering more school community. Based on these data a school crisis ecologically sensitive and sustainable behaviours and management model that could be applied for training lifestyles.” The discipline’s desire to contribute to the purposes was developed. It is argued that this model resolution of the most significant global problem of could be applied in school jurisdictions beyond the 21st century should not blind us to theoretical, Australia. methodological and ethical questions raised by psychology’s involvement in climate change Telling it like it is: The lived experience of obesity- mitigation and adaptation strategies and practices. related stigma Many governments in developed economies are TUTCHENER, C. (Victoria University) turning to psychology because the policy of choice is [email protected] behaviour change. But psychology is not a silver bullet and cannot save the world by itself. Do esearch findings suggest that effects of stigma on individualistic perspectives dominant in psychology the wellbeing of obese people include R deflect attention from the larger social, psychological stress, depression, participation environmental, economic and political context? Does

199 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

the current emphasis on coercive behaviour change Primary psychological interventions in a law strategies raise ethical issues concerning psychological enforcement workplace: Risk assessment and interventions and the role of psychologists? Is the monitoring for a deployed workforce way research is currently framed on climate change VINCENT, T., & YOUNG, D. (Australian Federal awareness and concern telling us more about the Police) problems of research methodologies rather than the [email protected] problems of the environment and society? This paper critically and constructively addresses these questions. he Australian Federal Police (AFP) workplace is All branches of psychology have the potential to Tdynamic and diverse, no more so that with the make a valuable contribution through climate change deployed workforce. AFP members are deployed in mitigation and adaptation research and practice. The a wide range of countries under a wide variety of paper will conclude with a discussion of the need for security and working conditions. A key primary capacity building within psychology to ensure that intervention with this group is the assessment of our discipline plays a key role nationally and psychological hazards in the workplace and internationally in efforts to tackle climate change. monitoring the psychological health of this workforce. This presentation will discuss issues Verbal overshadowing: Understanding the surrounding the implementation of psychological phenomenon does make a difference risk assessments and some of the challenges that have been involved in the evolution of the psychological VANAGS, T. (University of Canberra) [email protected] monitoring system that has been developed (and that continues to develop). tudies in the misleading-suggestion paradigm have Sshown that when participants are instructed to be The role of coping in the relationship between aware of the source of information they are given, depression and illness severity in chronic fatigue participants can be less susceptible to the syndrome misinformation effect. However, previous verbal WALKER, K. (Australian Catholic University), overshadowing studies have found that source LINDNER, H. (Australian Psychological Society), & monitoring instructions do not attenuate verbal NOONAN, M. (La Trobe University) overshadowing unless participants are provided with [email protected] a description of the target rather than generating one he Self Regulatory Model (SRM) proposes that themselves. This experiment investigated the effect both cognitive and emotional illness that understanding the phenomenon had on T representations influence the coping processes recognition performance. Half the participants were adopted in response to an illness. The current study's naïve, and half the participants were well-educated focus was on the emotional representations of about verbal overshadowing. Results showed an depression and the mediatory role of coping processes Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 interaction between verbalisation and naivety with on self-appraisals of illness severity, with a view to naïve participants in the verbalisation condition gaining a clearer understanding of the relationship much poorer at recognising the target than those who between coping styles, depression and appraisals of were not naïve to the manipulation. For participants illness severity. This study sought to explore the role in the control conditions there was no difference in of coping in the relationship between depression and recognition performance between naïve and non- self appraisals of illness severity in a population of naïve participants. The results are discussed in terms Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers using the of response criterion and source monitoring. SRM. The sample comprised of 156 participants, 34 males, and 121 females, who had been medically diagnosed with CFS, aged between 18 and 78 years. Participants were asked to complete 3 questionnaires, the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ), and the Severity subscale of the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire- Revised (IPQ-R). Analyses revealed that two 200 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

particular subscales, social support seeking and ‘Do you see what I see?’ Service evaluation: An positive reappraisals, emerged as positively exploration and critique from the client voice contributing to self-appraisals of illness severity; perspective thereby supporting the SRM. Furthermore, it WARD, S., & BOAG, S. (Macquarie University) emerged that this population experiences high levels [email protected] of depression. The findings suggest that focussing on depression and particular coping styles during he purpose of this study was to examine the treatment interventions could have important Timpact of using the Client Voice paradigm in implications for therapeutic interventions and service evaluation. The Client Voice paradigm places subsequent outcomes. clients’ experiences, perceptions and feedback at the heart of psychotherapy and psychology, in a similar Hardiness, commitment to exercise and stress: way to the consumer satisfaction movement in Predictors of psychological distress in University mental health and medical services. However, the Students consumer satisfaction movement frequently uses WARD, K., GROSS, J., KINNELL, R., & SMITH, N. quantitative evaluation measures which assume and (University of Canberra) impose a uni-dimensional meaning upon the [email protected] evaluation, and the specific utilisation of Client Voice principles to guide qualitative service evaluation he current study examined the role of hardiness research has yet to occur. To explore this, 30 callers Tand exercise commitment as predictors of to a Telephone Helpline in Sydney were randomly psychological distress and stress in university allocated to a quantitative measure (Counsellor students. The primary aim of the study was to Perception Measure (interview), CPM) or a semi- examine the relative contributions of hardiness structured qualitative interview designed along Client (Dispositional Resilience Scale), exercise commitment Voice principles (Telephone Counselling (Commitment to Running Scale adaptation) and Questionnaire, TCQ). While five meta-themes of stress (DASS-21) in predicting psychological distress counselling service evaluation emerged, (GHQ-12), and similarly, hardiness, exercise demonstrating an apparent high congruence between commitment and psychological distress in predicting both the quantitative and qualitative measures, clients stress. Of further interest was the possible mediating also reported concepts of personal significance not role of stress in the relationship between hardiness included in the CPM items. Additionally, multiple and psychological distress, and additionally, in the meanings were associated with the evaluation terms relationship between exercise commitment and and participants found difficulties with the CPM due psychological distress. Valid responses were obtained to the imposed uni-dimensional meaning assumption. from 178 male and female university students, aged The findings from this study suggest the utilisation of between 18 and 58 years, who completed a self-report Client Voice principles in qualitative service Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 test battery. Regression analyses of the data identified evaluation. hardiness as a significant predictor of both psychological distress and stress. Analyses (Baron & Gender differences in violent behaviour among a Kenny, 1986) revealed that stress partially mediated community sample the relationship between hardiness and psychological distress, and demonstrated a complete mediation WATT, B., BEGELHOLE, E., GUSE, N., KOSE, E., & PLEW, H. (Bond University) effect in the relationship between exercise [email protected] commitment and psychological distress. These findings have major implications in the development ales and females have been found to differ in of hardiness training programs within university Mtheir characteristics and correlates of violent settings, and highlight exercise as a valid treatment behaviour. Gender differences in aggressive option for students suffering from elevated stress behaviour were explored among a community sample levels and consequent psychological distress. of adults in South East Queensland (N = 150). Consistent with previous research, males were significantly more likely to engage in aggressive

201 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

behaviours compared to females, though this finding A mindfulness-based therapy for binge eating in was limited to physical aggression. Differential females: A proposed effectiveness study using a predictors of involvement in aggression were multiple-case study design investigated, including childhood risk factors, WICKHAM, RL., & CRAFTI, N. (Swinburne emotional control, alcohol misuse, attitudes towards University of Technology) violence and violent fantasies. The findings highlight [email protected] potential implications for assessment and interventions of aggressive behaviours for males and xtending on the cognitive-behavioural tradition, females. Emindfulness approaches have been utilised to treat a number of conditions such as chronic pain, Using a constructive feedback approach to depression and anxiety (Baer, 2003). Preliminary effectively reduce student plagiarism and improve evidence suggests it could be effective for the scientific writing treatment of binge eating disorder (e.g., Kristeller & Hallet, 1999), but given the approach is relatively WHITE, F., & OWENS, C. (University of Sydney) [email protected] new in Western psychotherapy, further research is needed to examine its clinical utility with this client lagiarism and the coverage it has received offers group. This paper describes the development of a Pacademics the opportunity to rethink how they mindfulness-based therapy designed for the individual teach. Plagiarism is said to be on the increase in treatment of females with binge eating problems, a higher education and existing internal evidence manualised therapy integrating strategies from suggests that a purely deterrent approach to reducing cognitive-behavioural and interpersonal therapies, plagiarism (i.e., detection software) is relatively based on a group program that has been running ineffective. As a result of these findings and an since 1995. A multiple-case study design has been emerging literature, the School of Psychology at the selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy in University of Sydney has decided to implement a an effort to gather empirical data on therapy as it is teaching and learning approach that provides students actually practiced, allowing for a broader definition with early and constructive feedback on their written of what is considered effective. Sources of data work. This approach will involve teaching staff include pre- and post- therapy questionnaires, session providing feedback on student’s writing of transcripts, client ratings of sessions, naturalistic data appropriate summaries and question-focused writing, collected by the client, and semi-structured coupled with examples of what constitutes interviews. A range of indicators are used to judge plagiarism, a very real demonstration of the effectiveness, including reduction in symptoms, client occurrence of plagiarism, the ease of detection of acceptability, therapeutic alliance, and improvement plagiarism, and penalties for plagiarism. By on a range of psychological correlates of binge eating. comparing plagiarism levels in 2007 to 2008 the

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 school will be able to objectively ascertain the Neurophysiological changes associated with Spinal effectiveness of this innovative approach. It is Cord Injury: A study of brain activity and anticipated that this constructive feedback approach cognitive function will also have flow-on effects of enhancing student’s WIJESURIYA, N., TRAN, Y. (University of independent learning, improving student’s scientific Technology, Sydney), & CRAIG, A. (The University of writing and increasing academic honesty throughout Sydney) the wider university. [email protected] pinal cord injury (SCI) is caused by traumatic Sinjury to the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of motor and sensory function. SCI also leads to other devastating consequences such as pain and psychological distress (i.e., depression). There is evidence for impairment in cognitive function and changes in neurophysiological measures such as brain activity in SCI. A better understanding of cognitive 202 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

function deficits and brain activity changes would be A school-based media literacy program for valuable to improve SCI rehabilitation. To date, no reducing eating disorder risk factors in young study has investigated the neurophysiological changes adolescents: A controlled evaluation together with cognitive impairment in SCI WILKSCH, S., & WADE, TD. (Flinders University) participants. This study compares the brain activity [email protected] using electroencephalography (EEG) and cognitive function in people with SCI (n=15) with an able- he primary objective was to examine the efficacy bodied control group (n=15). Both groups completed Tof an 8-lesson media literacy program designed a set of cognitive tests (e.g., working memory tasks) to reduce eating disorder risk in young adolescents. and their EEG was recorded. Participants also 540 Grade 8 girls and boys (M age = 13.61) from 4 completed psychological questionnaires such as the Adelaide Secondary Schools (public and private) cognitive failure questionnaire, perceived stress scale participated. Eating disorder risk factors were and depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS). The assessed and analysed using linear mixed model SCI group showed a decrease in alpha (8-13Hz) band analyses by group (2: media literacy program; activity across all cortical sites tested. The SCI group control), gender (2: girls; boys) and time (2: post- also performed poorer in the cognitive tests. The program; 6-month follow-up), with baseline scores findings have implications to improve rehabilitation entered as a covariate. Main effects for group and warrant further research to enhance our favouring media literacy were found for dieting, understanding of the area. shape and weight concern, body dissatisfaction and feelings of ineffectiveness. Post-hoc analyses revealed Factor structure of the original and short form of media literacy girls experienced significantly lower the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment feelings of ineffectiveness scores than control girls at WILKINSON, RB. (The Australian National University) post-program, while media literacy boys experienced [email protected] significantly lower dieting, shape and weight concern and body dissatisfaction scores than control boys at 6- he Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment month follow-up. Reliable change indices showed T(IPPA) is the most widely used measure of the program was beneficial to both girls and boys. adolescent attachment in the literature (Wilson & The findings support including males in some eating Wilkinson, 2007) yet there have been few attempts to disorder prevention programs and working with verify it’s original structure or establish its validity. participants below the age of 15 (the current trend in This paper reports the results of a study testing the the field is to focus on university-aged women). A factor structure of the original IPPA and a second 2.5-year follow-up evaluation of this program is study examining the development of a short form of currently being conducted. the IPPA. Study One reports the results of a confirmatory factor analysis based on responses from Habitat: A longitudinal multilevel collaborative

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 a sample of 640 high school students aged from 14 to study of physical activity and health in mid-age 18 years of age. A three factor solution for the Parent men and women and Peer subscales was supported. Study two reports WILSON, LM., BURTON, N., TURRELL, G., the results of a factor analysis and psychometric BAGULEY, R. (Queensland University of Technology)*, evaluation of a short form of the IPPA with an OLDENBURG, B. (Monash University), GILES-CORTI, independent sample of 700 adolescents. In this B. (University of Western Australia), GISKES, K.*, version of the IPPA maternal and paternal HAYNES, M., & BROWN, W. (University of attachment are assessed separately and associations Queensland) with measures of attachment style are presented. [email protected] Results indicate the short form is reliable, stable, and o change population levels of activity, there is a as potentially as valid as the original IPPA. Tneed to understand behavioural patterns and Recommendations for further research into the influences over time. This presentation describes the assessment of adolescent attachment are presented. design, sampling, and data collection of HABITAT, an innovative multilevel longitudinal (2007-2011) study of physical activity change in mid-age adults, 203 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

and the contribution of psychological, social, CAT into their psychological practice. These beliefs perceived environmental, area-level, and reflected benefits, such as being able to offer a more sociodemographic factors. Census Collectors holistic approach to therapy, and costs, such as not Districts (CCDs) in Brisbane were ranked by their being able to follow up client progress, or the socioeconomic (SEIFA) score and 200 CCDs and possibility of compromising one’s professional 17,000 residents aged 40-64 years were selected for reputation. Further, barriers, such as lack of scientific study inclusion. Participants are sent a mail evidence, were rated as less likely to occur by high questionnaire every two years (2007, 2009, 2011), to intenders to integrate. These findings can inform assess self-efficacy, attitudes, motivators, barriers, relevant governing bodies within psychology as social support, neighbourhood characteristics, policy is developed in relation to CAT integration sociodemographic characteristics, activity and health. into psychological practice. The baseline survey (2007) achieved a response rate of 69% with 11,125 respondents, and almost 40% were Understanding the role of risk in psychologists’ insufficiently active. A comprehensive Geographic willingness and intention to integrate Information System (GIS) database has been complementary and alternative therapies into compiled with information on public transport, psychological practice footpaths, topography, traffic volumes, street lights, WILSON, LM., & WHITE, KM. (Queensland University tree coverage, services, and recreational facilities. The of Technology) baseline profile of each area suggests varying levels of [email protected] environmental support for physical activity. any clients of Australian psychologists are HABITAT will improve our understanding of using complementary and alternative therapies physical activity, and lead the way to identify M (CAT) for their mental health, with or without their priority targets for public policy and health practitioners’ knowledge. This study explored promotion aimed at increasing physical activity psychologists’ willingness and intention to integrate participation among mid-age Australians. CAT into psychological practice and was informed Identifying the attitudinal, normative, and control by responses from qualitative interviews, as well as beliefs underlying psychologists’ willingness to drawing upon the established decision-making integrate complementary and alternative therapies theories of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the into psychological practice Prototype/Willingness Model. Participants, 122 practising psychologists, responded to survey items WILSON, LM., & WHITE, KM. (Queensland University relating to two distinct modes of integration: (1) of Technology) recommending CAT in general, and (2) providing [email protected] referrals to specific CAT practitioners. The he use of complementary and alternative significant predictors of psychologists’ intention and

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Ttherapies (CAT) in Australia has risen steadily willingness to integrate CAT were the Theory of over recent years and individuals with mental health Planned Behaviour constructs of attitude and disorders are more likely to utilise CAT than are subjective norm, but not perceived behavioural other members of the general public. Drawing on the control. Perceived risk was not a direct predictor of belief basis of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the willingness or intention to integrate CAT into present research investigated the beliefs that psychological practice; rather, psychologists’ attitudes differentiated between psychologists who were high mediated the impact of risk perceptions on intentions and low on willingness or intention to integrate CAT and willingness to integrate CAT. Overall, the by either recommending CAT to clients or referring present research identified that, accompanying them to CAT practitioners. Participants, 122 slightly favourable attitudes toward CAT integration practicing psychologists, completed a questionnaire are psychologists’ concerns about the associated legal, assessing their attitudinal, normative, and control ethical, and practical implications. This research beliefs relating to CAT integration. A number of the contributes to a growing body of evidence that beliefs discriminated between psychologists who suggests Australian psychologists are motivated to were or were not willing or intending to integrate

204 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

working towards a carefully integrated future in quality national service for callers. This presentation clinical practice. covers: how access has greatly improved within the first month of operation, and that Lifeline’s new Objective tests of movement imagery predict telephony network dramatically increased caller movement skill performance access; Lifeline provides vital support for people with WILSON, PH., & CALLANAN, J. (RMIT University) mental health issues across Australia, especially after [email protected] hours when traditional services are closed; Operational issues, data collection, future service o date, the assessment of movement imagery planning to meet consumer need; Training skilled Tability has relied on subjective reports (or telephone counsellors and enhanced support systems; questionnaires). The aim of this study was to Lifeline’s strong local focus complemented with investigate the psychometric properties of a new, national benefits; High percentage of calls relate to objective measure of motor imagery—the Radial mental health regardless of other issues callers Pointing Task (RPT). Thirty-five healthy adults experience; 30 callers a day experiencing suicide were administered the following tests: the Movement ideation; and Embracing new technologies such as Imagery Questionnaire – Revised (MIQ-R); objective SMS and email counselling that caters for different measures of movement imagery (the RPT and Mental consumer needs. Lifeline and the APS will be Hand Rotation), and two measures of movement skill exploring ways to more effectively respond to the (a timed formboard task measuring manual dexterity, complex needs of frequent callers to the telephone and dynamic ball balance task). For the RPT, a counselling service, and in those circumstances where strong linear relationship was found between the caller will benefit from coordinated responses response time and ID for both the real and imagined involving other services, such as psychologists. conditions. The RPT showed moderate test-retest reliability, r = .60, reasonable concurrent validity Adolescent problem drinking: The benefits of when correlated with the MIQ-R, r = .30, and good integrating qualitative and quantitative predictive validity when correlated with speed on the approaches in extending social learning theory formboard task, r = -.50. Results of the study showed that the RPT is a valid and reliable measure YOUNG, RM., (Queensland University of Technology), HASKING, PA. (Monash University), OEI, TPS. (The of movement imagery. The RPT was shown to be a University of Queensland)*, JOHNSTON, K., stronger predictor of actual motor performance than (Queensland Health), SOFRANOFF, K.*, & MARTIN, the MIQ-R and may serve a useful screening function G.* in identifying those who are likely to benefit from [email protected] imagery training when learning or refining lcohol expectancies have been proposed as movement skills. Aimportant cognitive markers of alcohol misuse. The Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire for

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 Lifeline telephone counselling – changing with the 21st century Adolescents (DEQ-A) was developed using a sample of 2020 adolescents (mean age = 14.15, SD=1.07). WOODWARD, A. (Lifeline Australia) Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis [email protected] indicated four key expectancy subsets: Increased ifeline has played an important part in Confidence, Cognitive and Motor Impairment, LAustralia’s mental health landscape for 45 years, Tension Reduction and Negative Mood. Of these delivering the 24/7 telephone counselling service four subsets expectancies of “Increased Confidence” staffed by skilled volunteers. In October 2007 were most strongly associated with drinking quantity Lifeline achieved a world first: a Voice over Internet and frequency. A subsequent study of 30 substance Protocol (VoIP) telephony network across 60 misusing adolescents using the Consensual locations for social service delivery. This gives more Quantitative Research method (QCR) examined the callers the opportunity to be answered on their subjective forces that shaped drinking behaviour and first try as the system can scan across all locations to a more finely grained appraisal of alcohol find an available telephone counsellor, ensuring a expectancies. Both males and female substance misusing adolescents discussed the aspects of social 205 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences

connectedness and positive self transformation Psychological services have assisted in the progression associated with alcohol as crucial reinforcers. Familial of investigations through provision of offender substance misuse and the developmental transition expertise, indirect assessment and crime analysis, between primary school and high school were a primarily for sexual offences and homicides. typically identified as important risk factors. Interpretations of ‘criminal profiling’ techniques and Theoretical and practical implications of integrating the relevance to psychological practice will be quantitative and qualitative data to inform theory and discussed. As a relatively new practice of psychology, the design of prevention and intervention efforts are this field has been misunderstood through dramatised discussed. media representations and a paucity of relevant, evidence-based research for our population. NSWPF Patterns of elevated PAI validity indices in an research contributing to this field will be reviewed, Australian psycho legal sample: Implications for including current exploration of serial sexual assaults assessment and serial homicides for comparison with well- YOXALL, J., BAHR, M. (Bond University), & known FBI models of behavioural crime analysis. BARLING, N. (Independent Practice) Issues considered through this comparison will [email protected] include offender typologies, behavioural crime linkage and offender profiling in an Australian he purpose of the current study was to context. Tdetermine the rate and pattern of elevated malingering indices within a sample of persons The impact of migration factors on the mental presenting for psychological assessment for either well being of refugee children in South Australia worker’s compensation claims; victims of crime compensation claims; personal injury claims; or pre ZIAIAN, T., STEWART, H., WARLAND J., sentence assessment. An archival file review of 400 PROCTER, NG. (University of South Australia), SAWYER, M. (University of Adelaide), & BAGHURST, psycho legal cases was conducted wherein a P. (Women’s & Children’s Hospital) Personality Assessment Inventory – PAI (Morey, [email protected] 1991) had been administered. Statistical analysis found that base rates for clinical and validity indices t is well established that a range of pre and post may vary dependent on presenting psychological Imigration experiences place refugee children and disorder, psychological diagnosis and assessment adolescents at increased risk of developing social, context. Predictors of elevated PAI validity indices emotional, behavioural and psychological health were identified. Implications for assessment using the problems. Despite their greater risk of developing PAI across forensic contexts are discussed. mental health problems, many refugee children and adolescents are not accessing mental health services. Investigative psychology practice in NSW – the This research investigated the prevalence and nature of mental health problems affecting refugee children,

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 contribution of emerging research their rates and patterns of informal and formal help- YULE, S. (NSW Police Force, Forensic Services Group) [email protected] seeking and their resilience characteristics which enabled positive coping and good social adjustment n 2005 the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) despite experiences of adversity. The research Icommenced the first psychology position of its targeted 600 children and adolescents aged between 4 kind in Australia, in terms of full time assistance for and 17 years from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and state police investigations. A team of forensic the Middle East. This paper presents the preliminary psychologists operating from within the Forensic findings of the research. Quantitative and qualitative Services Group provides multiple services to assist data gathered from children, parents and school with current and unsolved investigations in NSW PF. teachers have provided the first comprehensive These services include case consultation, training in picture of the mental health status of refugee children psychological aspects of offending, and conducting and adolescents living in Australia. With this research in order to contribute to the body of information now available, it will be possible to plan knowledge in investigative psychology. more appropriate and effective mental health services

206 The Abstracts of the 43rd APS Annual Conference

for this population group. The findings will allow of a school playground) conducted by Careforce new opportunities and directions for intervention Church, Melbourne. Eighty-seven members of which are more sensitive to refugee cultural beliefs Careforce Church completed an initial questionnaire, and practices that affect the recognition, reporting which measured attitude, subjective norm, perceived and treatment of mental health problems. behavioural control and intention towards volunteering, alongside levels of identification with Ten years of longitudinal research on adolescent Christianity and with Careforce Church, and three sexual behaviour: Identifying pathways and the weeks later 59 of these completed a follow-up importance of age, gender and ethnic background questionnaire measuring the extent of their ZIMMER-GEMBECK, MJ. (Griffith University) participation in the event. Analyses showed attitude [email protected] to have no predictive power when predicting a behaviour positively regarded by the majority of the here has been an escalation in the number of sample, with gender, subjective norm, perceived Tlongitudinal studies focused on adolescent sexual behavioural control and an interaction between behaviour. When a systematic review of these identification with Christianity and subjective norm longitudinal studies was conducted (N = 27 studies), a (where higher identifiers perceive stronger subjective number of findings emerged. After organizing studies norm) predicting intention, and behaviour predicted by participant age, gender and race/ethnicity, eight by intention. Unsurprisingly, men had higher key findings provide evidence for four developmental perceived behavioural control over, a more positive pathways to sexual behaviour. One pathway to early attitude towards, and stronger intention to sexual intercourse (by age 15) included a participate in this kind of activity. developmental history of problem behaviours, school-related difficulties and involvement with Face to face(book): The role of attachment in deviant peers. A second pathway to first sexual social networking intercourse by age 16-18 was more weakly linked to problem behaviours, was rarely associated with ZOPPOS, E. (Monash University) [email protected] school difficulties, and was associated with dating and positive peer relationships. Two potential pathways ince its launch in 2004, Facebook has emerged as to delaying first sexual intercourse until age 18 or Sone of the most popular social networking after were identified, with one more relevant for girls services with over 66 million active members and one more applicable to boys. Some commonly (facebook.com, 2008). To date, the burgeoning social studied factors were rarely significantly correlated networking literature has concentrated on service with sexual behaviour, especially after adjusting for membership, social impact and explanations for the more proximal correlates such as dating. Two other continuing attraction of 2-D virtual communities. No key findings included the need to consider gender, research, however, has been conducted examining the

Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010 and the evidence that ethnic background may play a role of attachment style in members’ attraction to moderating role when testing associations of and use of social networking services. In this paper, adolescent sexual debut with individual and social engagement with, and use of, Facebook is examined in factors, such as relationships with family. light of members’ adult attachment styles as measured via the Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised Predicting participation in a volunteering event questionnaire (Fraley, Waller & Brennan, 2000), a amongst church members: Ingroup identification self-report measure of attachment style, attachment- and the theory of planned behaviour related anxiety, and attachment-related avoidance in ZINKIEWICZ, L., & DERHAM, L. (Deakin University) adult relationships. The relationship between ‘offline’ [email protected] attachment style and engagement in online social networking was explored via a semi-structured Web- he present study tested the applicability of the based survey. The reflection of ‘offline’ attachment Ttheory of planned behaviour and social identity style in online Facebook relationships will be theory in predicting intention towards and actual described and implications for our understanding of participation in a volunteer backyard blitz (makeover ‘virtual attachment’ will be discussed.

207 Combined Abstracts of 2008 Australian Psychology Conferences Downloaded By: [University of Notre Dame Australia] At: 06:53 12 April 2010

208