Description:
A 1997 Victorian government report identified a major decline in many of the indicators of well-being of young people over the past three or four decades. In response to mounting concerns, the Kennett government launched the Framework for Student Support Services in Victorian Government Schools. The authors suggest that a thorough review of this Framework is necessary and should take into account lessons learned from American efforts at school reform.
Description:
Chapter looks at young people's reasons for leaving school early, and how teachers of young adolescents were attempting to re-invent themselves in ways that engaged students. It presents a framework of school reform that has emerged out of the research.
Description:
Purpose. Although the family environment is a potentially important influence on children's physical activity (PA), prospective data investigating these associations are lacking. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between the family environment and PA among youth. Design. A 5-year prospective cohort study. Setting. Nineteen randomly selected public schools in Melbourne, Australia. Subjects. Families of 5- to 6-year-old (n = 190) and 10- to 12-year-old (n = 350) children. Measures. In 2001, parents reported their participation in PA, family-based PA, and support and reinforcement for their child's PA. In 2001, 2004, and 2006, moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) was assessed among youth using accelerometers. Weekend and "critical window" (after school until 6:00 P.M.) MVPA were examined because we hypothesized that the family environment would most likely influence these behaviors. Analysis. Generalized estimating equations predicted average change in MVPA over 5 years from baseline family environment factors. Results. Maternal role modeling was positively associated with boys' critical window and weekend (younger boys) MVPA. Paternal reinforcement of PA was positively associated with critical window and weekend MVPA among all boys, and paternal direct support was positively associated with weekend MVPA (older boys). Among girls, maternal coparticipation in PA predicted critical window MVPA, and sibling coparticipation in PA was directly associated with weekend MVPA (younger girls). Conclusions. Longitudinal relationships, although weak in magnitude, were observed between the family environment and MVPA among youth. Interventions promoting maternal role modeling, paternal reinforcement of and support for PA, and Maternal and sibling coparticipation in PA with youth are warranted
Description:
The objectives of this article are to expand and comment upon a recent review in Australian Psychologist of the literature in relation to mental health problems in rural contexts by Jackson et al. (2007). In the present article we review recently published qualitative research on the help-seeking attitudes and experiences of rural Australian adolescents. While we agree on the utility of the Macintyre, Ellaway, and Cummins (2002) conceptual framework based on notions of health and place, we note that this framework specifically emphasises the importance of the collective dimension. We present a broader perspective on health and place than Jackson et al. (2007) by incorporating social geographic research. We argue that rural mental health research has been hampered by a simplistic view of social stigma of mental illness and that a more thorough conceptualisation of the phenomenon is needed. Finally, we make some further recommendations based on a broader perspective of mental health in rural contexts: one that incorporates an in-depth understanding of the help-seeking attitudes and experiences of rural adolescents as well as an appreciation of the collective social functioning of rural communities.
Description:
The objectives of this article are to expand and comment upon a recent review in Australian Psychologist of the literature in relation to mental health problems in rural contexts by Jackson et al. (2007). In the present article we review recently published qualitative research on the help-seeking attitudes and experiences of rural Australian adolescents. While we agree on the utility of the Macintyre, Ellaway, and Cummins (2002) conceptual framework based on notions of health and place, we note that this framework specifically emphasises the importance of the collective dimension. We present a broader perspective on health and place than Jackson et al. (2007) by incorporating social geographic research. We argue that rural mental health research has been hampered by a simplistic view of social stigma of mental illness and that a more thorough conceptualisation of the phenomenon is needed. Finally, we make some further recommendations based on a broader perspective of mental health in rural contexts: one that incorporates an in-depth understanding of the help-seeking attitudes and experiences of rural adolescents as well as an appreciation of the collective social functioning of rural communities.
Description:
Empirical evidence supports parental monitoring as a moderator of adolescent problem behaviours. A methodical review shows that monitoring has been measured using self-report questions based on parental knowledge of adolescent free-time use; however, inconsistencies in the definition of monitoring have created confusion. A process model of parental monitoring is proposed. This proposed model conceptualises monitoring interactions in a temporal sequence. It proposes that parental monitoring occurs in two distinct stages: before the adolescent goes out and when they return home. Parental and adolescent responses to monitoring interactions impact on future monitoring episodes. The proposed model demonstrates that a functional understanding of parent and adolescent monitoring behaviours is essential to clinical prevention and intervention. [Author abstract]
Description:
Empirical evidence supports parental monitoring as a moderator of adolescent problem behaviours. A methodical review shows that monitoring has been measured using self-report questions based on parental knowledge of adolescent free-time use; however, inconsistencies in the definition of monitoring have created confusion. A process model of parental monitoring is proposed. This proposed model conceptualises monitoring interactions in a temporal sequence. It proposes that parental monitoring occurs in two distinct stages: before the adolescent goes out and when they return home. Parental and adolescent responses to monitoring interactions impact on future monitoring episodes. The proposed model demonstrates that a functional understanding of parent and adolescent monitoring behaviours is essential to clinical prevention and intervention. [Author abstract]
Description:
A model of parental monitoring behaviors, comprising rule setting and supervision, was proposed. The hypothesized relationship between rules, supervision, conflict, and adolescent problem behavior was tested using structured equation modeling on self-report data from 1,285 adolescents aged 14 to 15 years. The model was an adequate fit of the data, accounting for 40% of the variance in problem behavior. Specifically, lax rules predicted poor supervision and high conflict. High conflict and low supervision were predictors of the adolescent problem behavior construct, which encompassed conduct problems, rebelliousness, and sensation seeking. Adequate rules appear to form the foundation for better supervision and less conflict, and hence lower levels of adolescent problem behaviors.
Description:
Objective. To examine associations between family physical activity and sedentary environment and changes in body mass index (BMI) z-scores among 10-12-year-old children over three years. Method. Design. Longitudinal (three-year follow-up). Subjects. In total, 152 boys and 192 girls aged 10-12 years at baseline. Measurements. Measured height and weight at baseline and follow-up (weight status, BMI z-scores); aspects of the family physical activity and sedentary environment (parental and sibling modelling, reinforcement, social support, family-related barriers, rules/restrictions, home physical environment) measured with a questionnaire completed by parents at baseline. Results. At baseline, 29.6% of boys and 21.9% of girls were overweight or obese, and mean (standard deviation, SD) BMI z-scores were 0.44 (0.99) and 0.28 (0.89), respectively. There was a significant change in BMI z-score among girls (mean change=0.19, SD=0.55, p < 0.001), but not boys. Among boys, the number of items at home able to be used for sedentary behaviour (B=0.11, p=0.037) was associated with relatively greater increases in BMI z-score. Among girls, sibling engagement in physical activity at least three times/wk (B=-0.17, p=0.010) and the number of physical activity equipment items at home (B=-0.05, p=0.018) were associated with relatively greater decreases in BMI z-score. Conclusion. Sibling physical activity and environmental stimuli for sedentary behaviours and physical activity within the home may be important targets for prevention of weight gain during the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Description:
This paper aims to explore theoretically and practically how to better understand how it is that teachers work successfully in schools and classrooms with young adolescents. I want to explore how to undertake research that: (1) listens to the voices of young people in schools and the teachers who work with them, and (2) better understand how it is that some teachers of young adolescents are sucessfully reinventing themselves, their pedagogies and school cultures.
Description:
The purpose of this study was to present a new methodology for the measurement of agility for netball that is considered more ecologically valid than previous agility tests. Specifically, the agility performance of highly-skilled (n=12), moderately-skilled (n=12) and lesser-skilled players (n=8) when responding to a life-size, interactive video display of a netball player initiating a pass was compared to a traditional, pre-planned agility movement where no external stimulus was present. The total movement times and decision times of the players were the primary dependent measures of interest. A second purpose of the research was to determine the test-retest reliability of the testing approach. Results revealed significant differences existed between the 2 test conditions demonstrating that they were measuring different types of agility. The highly-skilled group was significantly faster in both the reactive and planned test conditions relative to the lesser-skilled group, while the moderately-skilled group was significantly faster than the lesser-skilled group in the reactive test condition. The decision time component within the reactive test condition revealed that the highly-skilled players made significantly faster decisions than the lesser-skilled players. It is reasoned that it is this decision-making component of reactive agility that contributes to the significant differences between the two test conditions. The testing approach was shown to have good test-retest reliability with an intra-class correlation of r= .83.
Description:
Despite their direct relevance to studies of literacy practices, zines (pronounced 'zeens') have scarcely featured in the literature of educational research. Where zines have been taken seriously as a focus of inquiry it has mainly been within studies of popular/youth culture (cf. Chu 1997; Duncombe 1997; Williamson 1994). This chapter is intended to provide a modest redress of the silence with respect to zines within literacy studies generally and the New Literacy Studies in particular. We believe anyone interested in the nature, role and significance of literacy practices under contemporary conditions has much of value to learn from zines and, especially, from thinking about them from a sociocultural perspective. Indeed, we think their significance extends beyond a focus on literacy per se to pedagogy at large. For immediate purposes we begin from the premise that zines are an important but under-researched dimension of adolescent cultural practices and provide fertile ground for extending our understanding of new literacies and digital technologies.
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:
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.
Improving mental health of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: protocol for a randomized controlled trial of the nothing ventured nothing gained online adolescent and parenting support intervention
Description:
Management of Type 1 diabetes comes with substantial personal and psychological demands particularly during adolescence, placing young people at significant risk for mental health problems. Supportive parenting can mitigate these risks, however the challenges associated with parenting a child with a chronic illness can interfere with a parent’s capacity to parent effectively. Interventions that provide support for both the adolescent and their parents are needed to prevent mental health problems in adolescents; to support positive parent-adolescent relationships; and to empower young people to better self-manage their illness. This paper presents the research protocol for a study evaluating the efficacy of the Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained online adolescent and parenting intervention which aims to improve the mental health outcomes of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
Description:
Management of Type 1 diabetes comes with substantial personal and psychological demands particularly during adolescence, placing young people at significant risk for mental health problems. Supportive parenting can mitigate these risks, however the challenges associated with parenting a child with a chronic illness can interfere with a parent’s capacity to parent effectively. Interventions that provide support for both the adolescent and their parents are needed to prevent mental health problems in adolescents; to support positive parent-adolescent relationships; and to empower young people to better self-manage their illness. This paper presents the research protocol for a study evaluating the efficacy of the Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained online adolescent and parenting intervention which aims to improve the mental health outcomes of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
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:
Taking account of the issues of youth alienation and disengagement described in this study, the main intent of the present research was to explore the ways in which teachers and schools are reinventing themselves for young adolescents.
Description:
School settings are an essential source of physical activity for adolescents because they provide curricular, co-curricular opportunities in addition to time during scheduled breaks. There has been limited previous research examining the physical activity behaviour of adolescents during break periods. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-day variability of adolescent's physical activity (PA) during school lunchtime periods. Methods: Participants (n = 40) from yr 8 to 10 (mean age = 14.5 ± 0.8 yrs) wore a SPI-Elite Global Positioning System (GPS) unit during five lunchtimes during a school week. Heart rate (HR), speed, distance, global position, and G force were measured for each participant and reported across a range of play spaces including a cricket net area, grassed oval, quadrangle, basketball/netball court area and seated shaded area for each participant across the five days. Analyses were performed on time periods randomly selected from three days for windows of 20 min+. Time spent within the various play spaces was determined by overlaying GPS data with Google Earth images of the school playground. Results: Independent samples t-tests revealed males (mean = 2.5 ± .97 km) covered a greater distance compared to females (mean = 1.5 ± .73 km) at the p < 0.01 level. Males also displayed significantly higher HR than did females during lunch breaks, at the p < 0.01 level. Students spent significantly more time and covered the greatest distance on the oval (grassed area) when compared to other play spaces (p < 0.01), and girls spent significantly more time in the seated shaded area than did males (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences for inter-day variability of average time, distance, HR, speed or G force within adolescent students’ physical activity during lunchtimes. Conclusions: The results suggest adolescents’ physical activity during lunch breaks is relatively stable across days. There are a number of feasibility issues relating to the use of GPS technology within the context of school settings and these are discussed. Future physical activity interventions targeting adolescents should consider the nature of the play space and may need to be tailored differently for males and females.