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Mental health at the COVID-19 frontline : an assessment of distress, fear, and coping among staff and attendees at screening clinics of rural/regional settings of Victoria, Australia

- Rahman, Muhammad Aziz, Ford, Dale, Sousa, Grace, Hedley, Lorraine, Greenstock, Louise, Cross, Wendy, Brumby, Susan

  • Authors: Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Ford, Dale , Sousa, Grace , Hedley, Lorraine , Greenstock, Louise , Cross, Wendy , Brumby, Susan
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Rural Health Vol. 38, no. 4 (2022), p. 773-787
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  • Description: Purpose: Research examining psychological well-being associated with COVID-19 in rural/regional Australia is limited. This study aimed to assess the extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19, and coping strategies among the attendees in COVID-19 screening clinics at 2 rural Victorian settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2020 to February 2021 inclusive. Participants were invited to fill in an online questionnaire. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Brief Resilient Coping Scale were used to assess psychological distress, fear of COVID-19, and coping, respectively. Findings: Among 702 total participants, 69% were females and mean age (±SD) was 49 (±15.8) years. One in 5 participants (156, 22%) experienced high to very high psychological distress, 1 in 10 (72, 10%) experienced high fear, and more than half (397, 57%) had medium to high resilient coping. Participants with mental health issues had higher distress (AOR 10.4, 95% CI: 6.25-17.2) and fear (2.56, 1.41-4.66). Higher distress was also associated with having comorbidities, increased smoking (5.71, 1.04-31.4), and alcohol drinking (2.03, 1.21-3.40). Higher fear was associated with negative financial impact, drinking alcohol (2.15, 1.06-4.37), and increased alcohol drinking. Medium to high resilient coping was associated with being ≥60 years old (1.84, 1.04-3.24) and completing Bachelor and above levels of education. Conclusion: People who had pre-existing mental health issues, comorbidities, smoked, and consumed alcohol were identified as high-risk groups for poorer psychological well-being in rural/regional Victoria. Specific interventions to support the mental well-being of these vulnerable populations, along with engaging health care providers, should be considered. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Rural Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Rural Health Association.

The psychological impacts of a smoke event on young adults compared to other aged adults in Victoria, Australia

- O'Donohue, Katelyn, Berger, Emily, McLean, Louise, Gao, Caroline, Broder, Jonathan, Abramson, Michael, Sim, Malcolm, Ikin, Jillian, Brown, David, Dimitriadis, Christina, Walker, Judi, Carroll, Matthew

  • Authors: O'Donohue, Katelyn , Berger, Emily , McLean, Louise , Gao, Caroline , Broder, Jonathan , Abramson, Michael , Sim, Malcolm , Ikin, Jillian , Brown, David , Dimitriadis, Christina , Walker, Judi , Carroll, Matthew
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction Vol. 70, no. (2022), p.
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  • Description: A cross-sectional survey of 3090 Morwell adults, including 446 young adults (18–34) was administered approximately 2.5 years following the 2014 Hazelwood smoke event in Morwell, Victoria. Young adults with higher smoke exposure tended to experience greater psychological distress than other ages. For every 10 (μg/m3) increase in exposure there was a 2.08 point increase in event related psychological distress for young adults (95% CI: 0.11 to 4.10) compared to no increase for adults aged 65 and over (−0.04; 95% CI: -0.75 to 0.67). A similar non-significant trend was identified for general psychological distress. Prior mental health conditions and prior traumatic event exposures also tended to place young adults at higher risk of general psychological distress. These findings have critical implications for intervening with young adults following prolonged smoke events. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

COVID-19 effects on public finance and SDG priorities in developing countries : comparative evidence from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

- Colombage, Sisira, Barua, Suborna, Nanayakkara, Madurika, Colombage, Udari

  • Authors: Colombage, Sisira , Barua, Suborna , Nanayakkara, Madurika , Colombage, Udari
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: European Journal of Development Research Vol. 35, no. 1 (2023), p. 85-111
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  • Description: The COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global health crisis, rapidly transferred into a global economic and social crisis. The pandemic has threatened the world’s commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as governments in developing countries have shifted their priorities from attaining SDGs, to providing urgent financial needs to save lives and prevent recession in hopes for a rapid economic recovery. The rerouting of public funding priorities has undermined the progress and achievement of SDGs. We employed a mixed-method and carried out a comparative study using pre- and post-public financial data of two developing countries in South Asia; Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A threefold analysis was conducted to investigate the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries, the impact of the pandemic on external and internal public finance and the effect of the pandemic in shifting the policy priorities from SDGs to economic survival. This study found that both countries are highly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and are suffering from the lack of financing from external sources through the private sector as well as an increasing foreign debt. There is mounting pressure on the fiscal balance in both countries. © 2022, The Author(s).

Does a disaster worsen anxiety when you are already anxious? Psychological consequences following exposure to a M7.1 earthquake in an outpatient anxiety disorder population

- Kannis-Dymand, Lee, Colhoun, Helen, Huntley, Monique, Woolcock, Colette, Chambers, Ron, Compte, Dianne Le, Macleod, Juliet, Gilbert, Claire, Statham, Dixie, Jones, Monique, Sullivan, Clare, Alexander, Jane, Love, Steven, Bell, Caroline

  • Authors: Kannis-Dymand, Lee , Colhoun, Helen , Huntley, Monique , Woolcock, Colette , Chambers, Ron , Compte, Dianne Le , Macleod, Juliet , Gilbert, Claire , Statham, Dixie , Jones, Monique , Sullivan, Clare , Alexander, Jane , Love, Steven , Bell, Caroline
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Australasian journal of disaster and trauma studies Vol. 26, no. 1 (2022), p. 3
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  • Description: Research of clinical patients with a pre-existing psychological disorder involved in a disaster is limited. This study investigated relationships between pre-and post-earthquake psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress), peritraumatic distress, work and social impairment, perceived support post-earthquake, and personality dimensions in an outpatient, anxiety disorder population. Thirty-seven patients with pre-existing anxiety disorders completed standard clinical assessments pre-earthquake. They then completed a second set of questionnaires 3 months after exposure to the 2010 Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, earthquake. Bivariate correlations on the variables determined what relationships were present, and paired samples t-tests assessed differences in pre- and post-earthquake anxiety, depression, and alcohol and drug consumption as well as relationships with peritraumatic distress, posttraumatic stress, and personality variables. Significant relationships were found between pre-earthquake psychopathology, peritraumatic distress, post-earthquake psychopathology, and impairment. Paired samples t-tests demonstrated anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower post-earthquake. However, prior anxiety and depression, as well as peritraumatic distress, were significantly associated with post-earthquake psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress and impaired work and social functioning. There were no differences between pre- and post-event alcohol and drug consumption. The personality dimensions of harm avoidance, self-directedness, and persistence significantly associated with post-disaster anxiety and depression. Promisingly, post-earthquake perceived support was significantly negatively correlated with depression and posttraumatic stress. Keywords: Anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, peritraumatic distress, personality temperament, earthquake

Housing the urban poor through strategic networks : a cross-case analysis

- Cheah, Chee, Lee, Christina

  • Authors: Cheah, Chee , Lee, Christina
  • Date: 2022
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Habitat International Vol. 124, no. (2022), p.
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  • Description: This study uses the network perspective to explore how political, business, and social actors collectively address the housing needs of the urban poor in Malaysia. A multiple-case study approach was used to compare strategies to resolve sustainable housing issues across three urban states in Malaysia. The findings were drawn from interviews with actors in the housing industry supported by online media and public reports. The twenty participants consisted of policymakers, housing developers, civil citizens, and social interest groups. The findings reveal that the state government's authoritative strategy may lead to inefficiencies and eventually accelerate network changes. The adoption of a collaborative strategy using strategic networks, however, aids in meeting the growing demands of urbanites' housing needs. Collaboration also aligns with the conflicting interests of diverse actors. Understanding how strategic and issue-based nets are formed and maintained may help business, political and social actors strategize in a highly regulated market. © 2022

Perceptions of risk in allied health resource allocation decision-making

- Grant, Kellie, White, Jennifer, Martin, Jennifer, Haintes, Terrence

Conversations about risky alcohol use on social media

- Martin, Jennifer, Ahmed, Ashir, Towl, David, Haussegger, Zac

Suicide coverage in mainstream and social media: Challenges for media convergence

- Martin, Jennifer, Kuek, Stephanie, Jarema, Alexander, Oakham, Mandy, Maude, Phillip

Examining the work–life balance of immigrants in Australia : an anomie theory perspective

- Pillay, Soma, Riaz, Shoaib, Dorasamy, Nirmala

  • Authors: Pillay, Soma , Riaz, Shoaib , Dorasamy, Nirmala
  • Date: 2023
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Intercultural Relations Vol. 93, no. (2023), p.
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  • Description: Against the backdrop of significant migration changes and the predicted further diversification of the workforce, we present the concept of anomie to explain how different sociological and cultural settings influence migrants’ work and family experiences. Anomie refers to the feeling of disorientation and alienation from society caused by a sense of absence of supporting social systems. This article integrates cross-cultural management research into the migration and work–family interface and presents findings from a study of migrants residing in Australia. Through a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews and open-ended surveys, our study explored participants’ experiences of social and cultural adaptation orientations and behavioural anomie shifts. The findings and theoretical explanation lend strong support to the understanding that sociological influences and cultural orientation moderate migrants’ experiences. We also present an argument for refining Durkheim's anomie theory to incorporate strains of social, cultural and behavioural consequences concerning migrants’ work and life experiences across cultures. © 2023

Young Iranian women as agents of social change : a qualitative study

- Salehi, Asiyeh, Sebar, Bernadette, Whitehead, Dean, Hatam, Nahid, Coyne, Elisabeth, Harris, Neil

  • Authors: Salehi, Asiyeh , Sebar, Bernadette , Whitehead, Dean , Hatam, Nahid , Coyne, Elisabeth , Harris, Neil
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Women's Studies International Forum Vol. 79, no. (2020), p.
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  • Description: Objectives: Limited studies have investigated detailed insights into the experiences of women in transitioning countries such as Iran as active agents in their lives and their societies. This study explores how young Iranian women build and use their social capital to make a social change and improve their status. Methods: This study is the qualitative component of a larger mixed-method study exploring social capital and wellbeing in young Iranian women. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 young Iranian women aged 18–35. This data was supplemented with the open-ended responses provided by 87 of 391 participants in the quantitative phase of the study. Thematic analysis based on the Giorgi method was used for data analysis. Results: Two major themes that emerged from the data included “multiple identities” and “young women as agents of social change”, with more emphasis on the latter. Four main strategies were used by young Iranian women to enact social change and improve their position. These included building digital freedom, generating a new style of dressing, creating leisure opportunities, and changing social and sexual relationships. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the necessity of moving away from simply looking at women as powerless victims within paternalistic societies to exploring their potential as agents of social change. Understanding the ways young Iranian women perceive themselves, their roles in society and their experience of enacting social change and building new social identities yields deeper insights into their expectations for transformational change. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

An eco-systems approach to climate impacts on farmer wellbeing in Konya Closed Basin

- Martin, Jennifer, Bozdemir, Fatih, Sheikh, Ahaduzzaman

  • Authors: Martin, Jennifer , Bozdemir, Fatih , Sheikh, Ahaduzzaman
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Community and Social Development Vol. 2, no. 4 (2020), p. 394-408
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  • Description: The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of climate change on the wellbeing of farmers in Konya, Turkey. An ecosystems approach was adopted to take a holistic view of the range of inter-related ecological factors. A focus was on psychological and social impacts with a comparison of impacts on farmers engaged in traditional agriculture and those who had adopted conservation agriculture farming practices. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with farmers and agricultural workers to gain an increased understanding of the impact of climate change on their wellbeing. The study found that all farmers were under considerable psychological stress and that the introduction of new farming practices such as conservation agriculture led to increased stress in the early stages of adoption. Implications for the psychological and social support of farmers, particularly in the early stages of adoption of new farming practices are highlighted. © 2021 SAGE Publications.
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