Virtual streetgames : a mixed methods study exploring the delivery of an online youth physical activity program
- Authors: Kemel, Paul
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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- Description: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there was already considerable concern relating to the declining physical activity rates of adolescents and young adults seen across the world. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the various corresponding social distancing and lockdown guidelines, has further exacerbated these concerns. The utilisation of various forms of technology to maintain and encourage a degree of social connectedness during these timeframes sparked a degree of creativity in how our usual ways of interacting could be modified to the unique social-political circumstances. One such example is the youth community physical activity program Latrobe Streetgames, who adapted their program to be delivered across a range of social media platforms. A mixed methods study was conducted to help understand the impact that the adapted online program had on its participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study highlight the negative impact that the various COVID-19 lockdowns had on the target population, and while the ability to maintain some degree of social-physical intractability via the modified Latrobe Streetgames delivery was beneficial, it likely did not outweigh the negative impact of the lockdowns itself. Therefore, as the world moves pasts the pandemic, an emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring that youth physical activity is promoted in order to combat the acquired negative health effects relating to physical, mental and social health.
- Description: Masters by Research
Development and evaluation of a pilot program to reduce stigma of mental illness among rural adolescents
- Authors: Newnham, Krystal
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: Two forms of stigma – social and self – represent barriers to receiving professional help for rural Australian adolescents with mental health issues. Characteristics of rural communities such as self-reliance, social proximity and social exclusion are thought to compound experiences of stigma, creating a fear of seeking professional help. The aim of this project was to design and evaluate a stigma reduction program for rural secondary school students. A two-stage quasi-experimental research design was developed. Study 1 involved working collaboratively with seven students from a rural secondary school to develop a population specific program. The curriculum development process was evaluated and the final form of the intervention documented. Study 2 involved delivering and evaluating the intervention within the same secondary school. The aim of Study 2 was to decrease adolescents‟ stigma of mental illness, as measured by social and self stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance, and help-seeking intentions. The treatment group comprised students from year 7, 8, 9, and 12, and the control comprised a delayed treatment group of comparable students from these year levels. After accounting for attrition, the treatment group comprised 31 (16 females) participants, and the delayed treatment group 36 participants (16 females). Measures of stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance and help-seeking intentions were taken at pre-, post-, and 12-week follow-up. The intervention comprised two sessions each of 90 minutes spaced one week apart. Focus-group discussions held post-intervention expanded evaluations of the program; and suggested areas for improvement. The first hypothesis, that prior to intervention, adolescent boys would have significantly higher social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance from those with mental illness, and perceived barriers to seeking help than females, was supported. The second hypothesis, that participants in the treatment group would report lower social- and self-stigma, desired social distance, and fewer perceived barriers to seeking help post-intervention than pre-intervention and compared to the control group was supported in part. The third hypothesis, that reductions in social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance, and barriers to seeking help would be maintained at follow-up also received mixed support. Qualitative data confirmed that student attitudes towards those with mental health issues improved slightly; however, it also indicated that more change was possible and provided direction for future programs. Results have implications for anti-stigma campaign development and implementation. Suggestions for developing more effective anti-stigma programs that will help to lift the burden of stigma and to increase help-seeking behaviours for rural youth are discussed.
- Description: Doctor of Psychology
Ageing under the rainbow : The interrelations between age, sense of belonging, and mental health among Australian gay men
- Authors: Morris, Simon
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: This research investigated the interrelations between gay men’s age, sense of belonging (to the general community, the broader gay community, gay groups and with gay friends) and mental health by testing four models: direct, mediation, additive and moderation.
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Development of a model of mental health vulnerability for young men living in rural and regional areas : An investigation of the roles of sense of belonging and employment status
- Authors: Jenkins, Megan
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Doctorate
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- Description: Professional Doctorate of Psychology (Clinical)
Parent-mediated pathways to care for rural adolescents with depression
- Authors: Jamieson, Rachel
- Date: 2008
- Type: Thesis , PhD
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- Description: This research aimed to explore the role of parents in seeking help for rural adolescents with depression.
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Professional help-seeking among women : development and testing of a model
- Authors: Vanderhorst, Renee
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Thesis , Doctorate
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- Description: Professional Doctorate of Psychology (Clinical)
Innovation and capacity growth in mental health promotion : Working with the past
- Authors: Crouch, Alan
- Date: 2006
- Type: Thesis , PhD
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- Description: The field of practice addressed by this Portfolio of works is mental health promotion in the context of survival of extreme, organized, armed violence and associated repression. Studies were undertaken in two historical and geo-political settings – Cambodian refugees in Australia post 1979 and Bulgarian post World War II concentration camp survivors after the fall of communism in 1989. The portfolio reports on original image-based research in mental health promotion, using discussions by focus groups composed of genocide and repression survivors. The discourse developed by each group following reflection on a set of photographs from respective conflict periods was used to explore meaning-making within that survivor group.
- Description: Doctor of Health Promotion
"Drugs on the mind" : dual diagnosis : the experience of mental health professionals
- Authors: Soar, Rod
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
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- Description: Recent publicity has focused on the problems created by the usage of illicit drugs in the community. The growing use of illicit drugs throughout the Grampians region and the lack of resources and professional services available to regional and rural areas raise many questions as to treatment options and the accessibility and appropriateness of drug and alcohol and mental health services. Despite the fact that mental health professionals in rural/regional areas are expected to deliver the most appropriate care to individuals with a comorbid drug and alcohol and psychiatric disorder, a number of these rural/regional mental health professionals have limited preparation and experience in dealing with dual diagnosis issues. This phenomenological study focuses on the area of dual diagnosis, specifically the experiences of health professionals who care for clients diagnosed with a serious mental illness and a coexisting drug and alcohol disorder. Results are described in the form of four themes, which emerged from data collected during in-depth interviews with 13 mental health professionals who care for clients with a dual diagnosis. The themes captured in this research will be described using metaphors as headings. The first theme Sink or swim represents mental health professionals’ initial preparation to care for this group of complex clientele. Treading water symbolises mental health professionals’ endeavours to keep their head above water and reflects on their feelings while endeavouring to do so. Rowing against the tide describes mental health professionals’ understanding of clients’ drug misuse, which impacts greatly on the level of care.
- Description: Master of Nursing
From Mardi Gras to Manangatang : sense of belonging and mental health in Australian men as a function of sexual orientation and place of residence
- Authors: Jude, Belinda
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: "A community sample of men was recruited for the purpose of investigating whether belonging was a predictor of men's mental health and whether place of residence and sexual orientation influenced this relationship. The study also examined the importance of belonging to both the broader and gay communites for the mental health of gay men."
- Description: Doctor of Psychology