What about me? Sense of belonging and depressive symptoms among bisexual women
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Castillo, Paolo
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Bisexuality Vol. 20, no. 2 (2020), p. 166-182
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- Description: Depression is a significant mental health issue for bisexual women. While theory and research indicates that sense of belonging is important for mental health, limited research has investigated this in relation to bisexual women belonging to the LGBTQ + community. Existing research indicates that identification and involvement with the LGBTQ + community is not protective for the mental health of bisexual women. The protective nature of the extent to which bisexual women feel valued and needed within the lesbian community has not been examined. The current study examined the relationships between sense of belonging to the lesbian and heterosexual communities and depressive symptoms among bisexual women. A sample of 306 Australian self-identified bisexual women completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument. Results indicated that sense of belonging to each community was related to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Further, levels of belonging to each community interacted, indicating that sense of belonging to the lesbian community was protective for bisexual women with lower, but not higher, levels of sense of belonging to the heterosexual community. Results imply that increasing belonging to the lesbian community is important for bisexual women who do not feel they belong in the heterosexual community. The challenge is how to increase sense of belonging of bisexual women in the lesbian community, where they are exposed to negative attitudes about their sexuality. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Sense of belonging as a predictor of reasons for living in older adults
- Authors: Kissane, Melissa , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Death Studies Vol. 30, no. 3 (2006), p. 243-258
- Full Text: false
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- Description: In response to the high rate of suicide among aging people, this study investigated sense of belonging as a predictor of reasons for living in an aged sample. A community sample of 104 Australians aged 61 to 95 years completed The Reasons for Living Inventory and The Sense of Belonging Instrument. Results indicated that a higher sense of belonging predicted more reasons to live overall, and child-related concerns, responsibility to family, and survival and coping beliefs, specifically. Future research should investigate if the enhancement of a sense of belonging among older adults is associated with an increase in reasons for living. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002030
Key influences on rural health and welfare service delivery : Lessons from the literature
- Authors: Gregory, Raeleene , Green, Rosemary , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural Social Work and Community Practice Vol. 13, no. 2 (2008), p. 33-42
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- Description: Contemporary rural Australia is home to a diverse population which constitutes approximately one third of the total population of the nation. Rural Australians are engaged in numerous occupations and undertakings, not all of which are directly involved with agriculture. A decline in the agricultural sector over past decades has, however, led to significant disadvantage in terms of the resources and facilities available to rural people. There are issues regarding recruitment and retention of staff which provide challenges for health and welfare agencies. The provision of effective services is dependant on staff; however, there are a number of influences on the experience of health and welfare professionals in the Australian rural context. This paper, through a review of the literature, identifies some of those influences.
Physical activity alone and with others as predictors of sense of belonging and mental health in retirees
- Authors: Bailey, Maria , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aging and Mental Health Vol. 9, no. 1 (2005), p. 82-90
- Full Text: false
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- 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: C1
- Description: 2003001229
Sense of belonging to the general and Lesbian communities as predictors of depression among Lesbians
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 56, no. 1 (2009), p. 1-13
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Research has indicated that a sense of belonging is important for mental health. This study investigated sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to the lesbian community as predictors of depression among self-identified lesbians (n = 178). Participants completed the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Results showed that although sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to the lesbian community were directly related to depression, only sense of belonging to the general community contributed significantly to the prediction of depression when they were entered together in a regression analysis. Sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to the lesbian community interacted in the prediction of depression. Low sense of belonging to the general community buffered the association between sense of belonging to the lesbian community and depression, while high sense of belonging to the general community exacerbated the association between sense of belonging to the lesbian community and depression. Results also showed that sense of belonging to the general community mediated the relation between sense of belonging to the lesbian community and depression. Results imply that enhancing a sense of belonging to the general community should be a priority for lesbians who do not feel that they belong to the lesbian community.
The development of 'expert-ness': Rural practitioners and role boundaries
- Authors: Gregory, Raeleene , Green, Rosemary , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural Social Work and Community Practice Vol. 12, no. 2 (2007), p. 16-21
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- Description: Health and welfare practitioners have reported challenges in their personal and professional lives brought about by the realities of dual and multiple relationships in small communities. This paper reports the findings of a qualitative grounded theory study of 70 such practitioners living and working in rural Victoria. Australia, with regard to the development of worker expertise in dealing with personal and professional role boundary issues. The research findings suggested that this group of rural health and welfare practitioners dealt with personal and professional boundary issues through a process of sensitive decision-making and strategic behaviour that became increasingly intuitive over time. Participants oftern adopted elastic and fluid boundaries using their personal experience and local knowledge to inform their professional judgement. These findings have implications for practitioners, for employers, and for educators.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005777
Sexual orientation, sense of belonging and depression in Australian men
- Authors: Jude, Belinda , McLaren, Suzanne , McLachlan, Angus
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Men's Health Vol. 6, no. 3 (2007), p. 259-272
- Full Text: false
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- Description: This research examined whether a sense of belonging in the community and sexual orientation were associated with depression among men. Australian heterosexual (n=136) and gay (n=137) men wre recruited through a variety of media, including newpapers, radio, and email, and directly at public events and in the street. Responses on the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales indicated that gay ment reported lower levels of sense of belonging to the community and higher levels of depression compared with heterosexual men. Results revealed that sense of belonging to the community mediated the relation between sexual orientation and depression. The findings did not support the additive or moderation models. The results imply that, for the mental health of gay men to improve, their sense of belonging needs to increase but that a reduction in the level of homophobia in the general community would seem necessary for this to occur.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005759
The attitudes of Australian heterosexuals toward same-sex parents
- Authors: Morse, Charmaine , McLaren, Suzanne , McLachlan, Angus
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of GLBT Family Studies Vol. 3, no. 4 (2007), p. 425-455
- Full Text: false
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- Description: This is the first study of attitudes of Australian heterosexuals toward heterosexual, gay male, and lesbian parents and the children raised by these parents. A sample of Australian heterosexual males and females read one of six vignettes describing a family situation. Participants assessed the parents' emotional stability, responsibility, and competence; how loving, sensitive, and nurturing they were; the amount of quality time they spent with their child; and their ability to be good role models. Results indicated participants held negative attitudes toward gay male and lesbian same-sex parents. Participants believed that children raised by same-sex parents are more likely to experience confusion over their sexual orientation and gender identity, more likely to be homosexual, and more likely to experience strained peer relationships as well as stigma and teasing than children raised by heterosexual parents. Level of sexual prejudice was the key predictor of attitudes toward same-sex parents and the expected outcomes for their children. Being male, older, and having fewer children were additional predictors of attitudes towards same-sex parents, whereas being older and less religiouswas associatedwith expected negative outcomes for the children. Substantial attitudinal shifts are required before gay male and lesbian parents and their children are fully accepted into Australian communities.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005756
Sense of belonging and depressive symptoms among GLB adolescents
- Authors: McCallum, Claire , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 58, no. 1 (2011), p. 83-96
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Research has indicated that gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adolescents are at an increased risk of mental health problems. Research has also indicated that experiencing a sense of belonging is important for one's mental health. This study investigated sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to a GLB specific youth group (Minus18) as predictors of depressive symptoms among self-identified GLB adolescents (N = 99). Participants completed the Sense of Belonging Instrument and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results showed that although sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to the Minus18 community were both directly related to depression, only sense of belonging to the general community contributed significantly to the prediction of depression when they were entered simultaneously in a regression analysis. Results also showed that sense of belonging to the general community mediated the relation between sense of belonging to the Minus18 community and depression. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at increasing sense of belonging to a GLBspecific community are likely to be of indirect benefit to the mental health of GLB adolescents, whereas interventions aimed at increasing sense of belonging to the general community are likely to be of direct benefit to the mental health of GLB adolescents. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: Research has indicated that gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adolescents are at an increased risk of mental health problems. Research has also indicated that experiencing a sense of belonging is important for one's mental health. This study investigated sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to a GLB specific youth group (Minus18) as predictors of depressive symptoms among self-identified GLB adolescents (N = 99). Participants completed the Sense of Belonging Instrument and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results showed that although sense of belonging to the general community and sense of belonging to the Minus18 community were both directly related to depression, only sense of belonging to the general community contributed significantly to the prediction of depression when they were entered simultaneously in a regression analysis. Results also showed that sense of belonging to the general community mediated the relation between sense of belonging to the Minus18 community and depression. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at increasing sense of belonging to a GLBspecific community are likely to be of indirect benefit to the mental health of GLB adolescents, whereas interventions aimed at increasing sense of belonging to the general community are likely to be of direct benefit to the mental health of GLB adolescents. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Working with survivors of sexual assault : Attitudes and beliefs of rural health workers
- Authors: Radcliffe, Margaret , Green, Rosemary , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Women Against Violence Vol. 15, no. (2004), p. 22-29
- Full Text: false
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- 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: C1
- Description: 2003000956
Young, gay and suicidal : Who cares?
- Authors: Molloy, Mari , McLaren, Suzanne , McLachlan, Angus
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Psychology Vol. 55, no. (2003), p. 198
- Full Text: false
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The longitudinal effects of midwife-led postnatal debriefing on the psychological health of mothers
- Authors: Selkirk, Rosemary , McLaren, Suzanne , Ollerenshaw, Alison , McLachlan, Angus , Moten, Julie
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Vol. 24, no. 2 (2006), p. 133-147
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- Description: To assess the effect of midwife-led postpartum debriefing on psychological variables, 149 women were recruited in the third trimester of their pregnancy and were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. Women in the treatment group received midwife-led postpartum debriefing within 3 days postpartum, whereas women in the control group did not receive formalised debriefing. Background information and psychological variables were assessed in the prepartum, and birthing information was gathered 2 days postpartum. The psychological variables, plus a measure of birth trauma, were re-assessed at 1 month, and again, together with a measure of parenting stress, at 3 months postpartum. Although the majority of women reported positively on their debriefing experience, statistical analyses indicated that only on the measure of dyadic satisfaction was there some suggestion that debriefing was effective. There were no significant differences between the treatment and control groups on measures of personal information, depression, anxiety, trauma, perception of the birth, or parenting stress at any assessment points, postpartum. On the other hand, the effect of medical intervention on women's perceptions of their birthing was evident, with women who experienced more medical intervention reporting more negative perceptions of their birthing than women who had experienced less medical intervention. Surprisingly, this difference was more marked among the women who had been debriefed than among the control group. Generally, the results did not support midwife-led debriefing as an effective intervention postpartum. © 2006 Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001984
The attitudes of Australian heterosexual university students towards the suicide of gay, lesbian and heterosexual peers
- Authors: Molloy, Mari , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education Vol. 2, no. 2 (2004), p. 27-51
- Full Text: false
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- 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: C1
- Description: 2003000950
The inter-relations of mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression during late adolescence
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aggressive Behavior Vol. 33, no. 2 (2007), p. 160-169
- Full Text: false
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- Description: This study examined three models depicting the relations between mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression. A total of 385 participants (173 males and 212 females), aged from 18 to 20 years, completed self-rating questionnaires covering mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression. Results showed that self-esteem had additive and mediation effects on both the father attachment-aggression and mother attachment-aggression relationships, and also moderated the mother attachment-aggression relation. These findings are discussed in terms of different models for the inter-relations of mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression in late adolescence. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005738
Rural-urban differences in reasons for living
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Hopes, Lisa
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 36, no. 5 (2002), p. 688-692
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- 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.
- Description: 2003000088
Sexual health knowledge, attitudes towards condoms and contraceptive self-efficacy : A model of adolescent condom use in a rural population
- Authors: Jenkins, Megan , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Psychology Vol. 54, no. (2002), p. 37-37
- Full Text: false
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The interrelations between sexual orientation, sense of belonging and dysphoria among Australian women
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Women and Health Vol. 43, no. 3 (2006), p. 123-137
- Full Text:
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- Description: This research examined whether sense of belonging in the community and sexual orientation were associated with dysphoria among women. Australian female heterosexuals (n = 202) and lesbians (n = 184) completed the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales. Results indicated that lesbians experienced a decreased sense of belonging and more dysphoria compared with heterosexual women. Subsequent analyses indicated that sense of belonging to the community mediated the relation between sexual orientation and dysphoria. In addition, sexual orientation moderated the relation between sense of belonging and dysphoria. It appears that the enhancement of lesbians' sense of belonging in the community would be associated with a reduction in dysphoria. Copyright © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001983
Sense of belonging as a predictor of mental and physical health in regional university staff
- Authors: Oldfield, Stuart , McLaren, Suzanne , McLachlan, Angus
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Psychology Vol. 55, no. (2003), p. 201
- Full Text: false
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Attitudes toward parenting in a lesbian and gay community convenience sample
- Authors: Riggs, Damien , McLaren, Suzanne , Mayes, Alys
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health Vol. 13, no. 1 (2009), p. 51 - 61
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study sought to measure attitudes of lesbians and gay men toward lesbian and gay parents. Participants (126 gay men and 139 lesbians from 5 Australian states) were given one vignette featuring either a lesbian, gay, or heterosexual couple parenting a 16-year-old child. They rated the vignette parents in terms of their parenting competencies and suitability as parents. Findings suggest that overall, lesbian and gay parents were rated more positively than heterosexual parents, with lesbian participants being more likely to rate parents overall in more positive ways. Regression analysis did not find that the parent status of participants predicted their ratings of gay or lesbian parents per se, but a correlation was found between the number of children that participants had and their rating of the vignettes. This suggests the importance of future research including not only larger and more diverse sample sizes, but also research that examines the interaction of parenting status, gender, and number of children upon attitudes toward heterosexual, lesbian, and gay parents.
Lesbians living in Australia : Sense of belonging and mental health
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Psychology Vol. 55, no. (2003), p. 197
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed: