The association of avoidance coping style, and perceived mother and father support with anxiety/depression among late adolescents : Applicability of resiliency models
Description:
A high sense of belonging to the community and physical activity are associated with improved mental health in older people. The present study tested a model incorporating physical activities performed alone and with others as predictors of sense of belonging, depression and suicide ideation. One hundred and ninety four retired adults (87 males, 107 females, mean age 68 years) completed the Yale Physical Activity Survey, the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Suicide Subscale of the General Health Questionnaire and the Zung Depression Inventory. Within the context of the model, neither participating in physical activities alone, nor with at least one other person, predicted sense of belonging, depression or suicide ideation. Having the abilities and motivation to belong was a predictor of participating in physical activities with others and actual feelings of belonging and contributed to predicting mental health in retirees. It was concluded that simply performing activities with others was not associated with a sense of belonging or mental health. Rather, sense of belonging may need to be facilitated in order for mental health to be enhanced.
Description:
This study sought to examine the attitudes of heterosexual university students to peer suicide when that peer was gay, lesbian, or heterosexual. University students (n = 206) completed several questionnaires, including The Suicide Attitude Vignette Experience. Results indicated that the suicide act was seen as more justified, acceptable, and necessary when the adolescent was gay or lesbian. Further, gay and lesbian youth suicide victims were shown significantly less empathy than heterosexual suicide victims. Participants' level of homophobia was found to be a significant predictor of attitudes toward gay and lesbian youth suicide. Results indicate that the peer group of gay and lesbian youth is unsupportive of their sexual orientation, and these attitudes may be an additional risk factor for gay and lesbian youth suicide.
Description:
The central purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and beliefs about sexual assault of health and welfare professionals in a rural area. These front line staff are often the professionals to whom a woman discloses her story, yet many generalist health and welfare workers feel ill equipped to deal with such disclosures. This study sought to understand the frameworks and beliefs held by generalist health and welfare workers about sexual assault. The findings of this study indicate that attitudes and beliefs of many participants included theoretical frameworks that ignore the role of power and gender, and are based on myths and assumptions about the behaviour and/or psychology of victim/survivors and perpetrators. Such beliefs have an impact on outcomes for survivors, and the quality of service offered to them, and indicates a need for comprehensive further training for health and welfare workers about sexual assault. Participants also lacked confidence in their ability to work effectively with survivors, although they clearly understood the long-term effects of experiencing sexual assault.
Description:
Recent research indicates that rural Australian adolescents experience a number of barriers to their health, and in particular, their sexual health. Consequently, the present study aimed to examine levels of sexual health knowledge, sexual activity, condom use and attitudes towards condoms in a rural, adolescent population. In addition, the research tested a comprehensive model of condom use. One hundred and thirty six 15 to 19 year old students, 51 males (M age = 16.75, SD =.74 ) and 85 females (M age = 16.73, SD = .85), from schools in five towns of population not more than 6000 residents completed a survey package that included demographic information, a Sexual Health Knowledge Scale, the Condom Attitudes Scale and the Adolescent and Young Adult contraceptive Self-efficacy Scale. Results indicated that overall knowledge levels were low, with males knowing significantly less than females. Sixty-five percent of the participants had engaged in sexual intercourse, with over half of those reporting being inconsistent users or non-users of condoms. Within the context of the model, knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intention to use condoms, all contributed to predicting condom use. Results suggest that rural adolescents require education and assistance to obtain and use condoms in a non-threatening environment.
Description:
Recent research indicates that rural Australian adolescents experience a number of barriers to their health, and in particular, their sexual health. Consequently, the present study aimed to examine levels of sexual health knowledge, sexual activity, condom use and attitudes towards condoms in a rural, adolescent population. In addition, the research tested a comprehensive model of condom use. One hundred and thirty six 15 to 19 year old students, 51 males (M age = 16.75, SD =.74 ) and 85 females (M age = 16.73, SD = .85), from schools in five towns of population not more than 6000 residents completed a survey package that included demographic information, a Sexual Health Knowledge Scale, the Condom Attitudes Scale and the Adolescent and Young Adult contraceptive Self-efficacy Scale. Results indicated that overall knowledge levels were low, with males knowing significantly less than females. Sixty-five percent of the participants had engaged in sexual intercourse, with over half of those reporting being inconsistent users or non-users of condoms. Within the context of the model, knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intention to use condoms, all contributed to predicting condom use. Results suggest that rural adolescents require education and assistance to obtain and use condoms in a non-threatening environment.
Description:
Objective: The suicide rate in Australia is cause for concern, especially the increase in attempted and completed suicides in rural and regional locations. The present study examined reasons for choosing not to commit suicide as a function of residential location. Method: The study involved 655 Victorian residents from four population-based strata; urban, regional city, regional town, and rural. Results: Results from the Reasons for Living Inventory revealed significant differences as a function of residential location. Overall, residents in rural locations reported having significantly more to live for than their urban counterparts. Further analysis of six reasons for living (child, family, moral, social, coping and death-related concerns) showed a pattern whereby residents in rural locations reported having the most to live for, followed by regional residents, and urban residents who reported having the least to live for. Conclusions: These findings are in contrast to increase of suicide rates in rural areas, and highlight the need for a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying suicidal behaviour.