ORCID Profile
0000-0002-1531-3881
Current Organisations
University of Sydney
,
Deakin University
,
Australian National University
,
University of Queensland
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Social Policy | Policy and Administration | Mental Health | Public Health and Health Services | Developmental Psychology And Ageing | Epidemiology | Epidemiology | Social And Community Psychology | Social Change | Social policy | Counselling, Welfare and Community Services | Social epidemiology | Psychology | Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified | Human Resources Management | Social Policy And Planning | Policy and administration | Social and Community Psychology | Social Policy
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Social Structure and Health | Mental Health | Employment Patterns and Change | Families | Changing work patterns | Workforce Transition and Employment | Health related to ageing | Health education and promotion | Employment Services | Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences | Youth/child development and welfare | Health Related to Ageing | Social Class and Inequalities | Health status (e.g. indicators of “well-being”) | Health Policy Evaluation |
Related Links
Publications
Government subsidies for professional team sports in Australia
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2009
The limitations of employment as a tool for social inclusion
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-10-2010
Is inequality increasing?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-02-2015
An examination of the long-term impact of job strain on mental health and wellbeing over a 12-year period
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-02-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-016-1192-9
Abstract: Job strain has been implicated in a range of employee health outcomes including psychiatric health. Much of the literature is drawn from studies that utilise cross-sectional designs, whilst the long-term follow-up of participants is limited. We examine the short and long-term risks of job strain for depression and wellbeing over a 12-year period. In particular, we utilise measures of wellbeing to emphasise the importance of discriminating between indices of subjective and psychological wellbeing that complement measures of mental health. Participants (n = 2530) were aged between 40 and 44 years at baseline and were drawn from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project. Participants were observed once every 4 years for 12 years. A high strain job was associated with an increased risk of reporting sub-syndromal [RRR = 1.66 (95 % CI 1.23 2.25), p < 0.001], minor [RRR = 1.92 (95 % CI 1.19 3.10), p < 0.001] and major depression [RRR = 2.19 (95 % CI 1.30 3.67), p < 0.001], but strain was not a long-term risk for depression 4 years later. In contrast, strain was a risk for both cross-sectional and longitudinal wellbeing outcomes. Moving into a high strain job was a risk for developing depression [RRR = 1.81 (95 % CI 1.26 2.59), p < 0.001], but the cumulative exposure to a high strain job was not associated with poorer outcomes in adjusted models. Overall, our results emphasise the importance of current job strain, and the risk of moving into a high strain job, on adverse mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Effects were not consistent between indices of mental health, subjective or psychological wellbeing, supporting the need to dedifferentiate between wellbeing and mental health.
CORRIGENDUM
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 12-03-2007
Within-individual analysis of pain and sickness absence among employees from low and high occupational classes: a record linkage study
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2018-026994
Abstract: Pain is linked to an increased risk of sickness absence (SA) however, the extent to which unmeasured time-invariant differences explain this association is yet unknown. Therefore, we determined the within-in idual associations between pain and short-term (in the survey year) and long-term (2 years following the survey years) SA risk in high and low occupational classes while controlling for the potential bias due to unobservable time-invariant characteristics. The Helsinki Health Study data consisting of midlife public sector employees with mailed surveys from up to four time points, and SA record linkage were used (3983 persons). The within-in idual estimates were calculated using hybrid negative binomial regression models. Acute/subacute pain was associated with a 13% increase in the rate of short-term SA days (incidence rate ratio 1.13 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.27]), while the association was somewhat stronger for chronic pain (1.32 [1.19–1.47]). For the employees in the low occupational class, these associations were robust (1.29 [1.10–1.50] for acute/subacute and 1.43 [1.23–1.66] for chronic pain), whereas only chronic pain was associated with SA among those in the high occupational class (1.25 [1.08–1.46]). Chronic pain was also associated with SA days in the long term without occupational class differences. Similar results were obtained for multisite pain (pain in several locations). These results indicate that particularly chronic and multisite pain have a within-in idual link to SA but ignoring unobservable differences between those reporting pain and those not might yield overstated effect sizes. Pain might have a different relation to SA in low and high occupational classes.
Online Recruitment: Feasibility, Cost, and Representativeness in a Study of Postpartum Women
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-03-2017
DOI: 10.2196/JMIR.5745
The effect of health behavior change on self-rated health across the adult life course: A longitudinal cohort study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2013.10.017
Abstract: While it is clear that health behaviors are related to self-rated health (SRH), it is less clear if maintaining positive behaviors, or improving, can protect SRH over time. SRH trajectories were modeled in a large representative Australian s le (n=7485 at baseline), of three age cohorts (20-24, 40-44 and 60-64 years at baseline 1999, 2000 & 2001 respectively), over an 8 year period. Change in smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity on SRH trajectories were examined, controlling for demographic, physical and mental health factors. SRH became poorer over time across the s le. Being a non-smoker was associated with more positive SRH levels across all groups. Maintaining or increasing moderate physical activity was associated with less decline in SRH. Findings highlight the benefits of positive health behaviors, particularly performing regular physical activity over time, for reducing the risk of subjective health becoming poorer across the adult life course.
Testing Age Differences in the Links Between Recent Financial Difficulties and Cognitive Deficits: Longitudinal Evidence From the PATH Through Life Study
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-2021
Abstract: This study investigates whether the within-person associations between a recent major financial crisis and deficits in cognitive performance vary across the life course. Four waves of data from 7,442 participants (49% men) spanning 12 years and comprising 3 narrow age birth cohorts (baseline age: 20–25, 40–45, and 60–65) were drawn from a representative prospective survey from Canberra, Australia (1999–2014). Cognitive performance was assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) immediate recall trails, Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Digit Span Backward (DSB), and Trail Making Test B (TMT-B). A single item from the Threatening Life Experiences Questionnaire assessed self-reported major financial crisis in the past 6 months. Multivariable-adjusted fixed-effect regression models tested the time-dependent association between financial crisis and cognition. A recent financial crisis coincided with contemporaneous declines in CVLT (mean change = −0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.262 to −0.025), SDMT (mean change = −0.08, 95% CI = −0.147 to −0.004), and TMT-B (mean change = −0.17, 95% CI = −0.293 to −0.039) for adults in the oldest age group, and these associations were larger than in the younger age groups. In contrast, there was an overall association between financial crisis and deficits in DSB (mean change = −0.06, 95% CI = −0.105 to −0.007), with weak evidence of stronger associations in midlife relative to other age groups. These associations were independent of changes in health and socioeconomic circumstances. This study provides important new evidence that financial difficulties in later life are potent stressors associated with occasion-specific deficits in cognitive performance.
One ‘welfare recipient’ stereotype or many? Using the stereotype content model to examine the stereotypes of different categories of benefit recipients
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-10-2021
DOI: 10.1111/IJSW.12519
Abstract: The stereotype content model (SCM) provides a basis to investigate stereotypes of different social groups. Previous SCM research has shown that the “welfare recipients” are stereotyped negatively, with low warmth and low competence. However, prior research has not considered different categories of income support recipients who may be stereotyped differently. Using the SCM, we investigated the stereotypes held by the Australian general population ( n = 807) towards five key social groups (unemployed, people with a mental disability, people with a physical disability, single parents, elderly). People with a mental or physical disability and the elderly were similar regardless of whether they were described as receiving income support payments or not. In contrast, the unemployed and single parents were stereotyped with significantly lower levels of warmth and competence when they were receiving payments. This research shows that the needs and circumstances of different groups may be reflected in different levels of community support.
Patterns of Welfare Attitudes in the Australian Population
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-11-2015
Validation of four measures of mental health against depression and generalized anxiety in a community based sample
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2014.12.023
Abstract: There is a need to validate screening measures of affective and generalized anxiety disorders for use in epidemiological surveys of mental health in the general population. This study examined the diagnostic accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scales (GAS, GDS) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Mental Health Component Summary Scale (MCS-12) in a population based longitudinal study in Australia. We report analyses of two narrow age birth cohorts in the Personality and Total Health (PATH) through life study (ages 32-36 and 52-58). Depressive episodes (severe, moderate, and mild), dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder were diagnosed according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria using the World Health Organisation (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) as a criterion. All scales had high concordance with their target 30-day diagnoses, with area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) ranging between 0.85 and 0.90. The PHQ-9, GDS, GAS and MCS-12 were all valid instruments for identifying possible cases of depression and anxiety, and assessing the severity of these common mental disorders in the general population. We report recommended cut-points for each scale, though note that the optimal cut-point on mental health screening instruments may vary depending on the context of test administration.
Central Asia since the dissolution of the Soviet union: Economic reforms and eir impact on state-society relations
Publisher: Brill
Date: 2007
Abstract: In late 1991, with the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, the five Central Asian republics became independent countries. The completely unexpected challenges of nation-building were superimposed on the transition from a centrally planned economy. Within the common bounds of resource-based economies and autocratic regimes, the five countries gradually became more differentiated as their governments introduced erse national strategies for transition to a market-based economy. This article describes the different economic polices adopted by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan and analyzes the outcomes.
Poor psychosocial job conditions increase sickness absence: Evidence from the PATH Through Life Mid-Aged Cohort
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-059572
Abstract: Evidence is mounting that poor psychosocial job conditions increase sickness absence, but there is a need for further rigorous prospective research to isolate the influence of psychosocial job quality from other measured and unmeasured confounders. This study used four waves of prospective longitudinal data (spanning 12 years) to investigate the extent to which increases in poor psychosocial job quality are associated with greater relative risk of day of sickness absence. Prospective cohort study. Data were from the Australian PATH Through Life cohort study. The analyses adopted hybrid-regression estimations that isolated the effect of within-person change in psychosocial job quality on sickness absence over time. Participants were from a midlife cohort aged 40–44 at baseline (7644 observations from 2221 participants). Days sickness absence in the past 4 weeks. The results show that after adjusting for a wide range of factors as well as unmeasured between-person differences in job quality, each additional psychosocial job adversity was associated with a 12% increase in the number of days of sickness absence (relative risk ratio: 1.12, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.21). Increases in psychosocial job adversity were also related to greater functional impairment (relative risk ratio: 1.17 (1.05 to 1.30)). The results of this study strengthen existing research highlighting the importance of addressing poor psychosocial job quality as a risk factor for sickness absence.
Trade facilitation: Defining, measuring, explaining and reducing the cost of international trade
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Date: 29-02-2012
Exploiting energy and mineral resources in central Asia, Azerbaijan and Mongolia
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-12-2011
DOI: 10.1057/CES.2010.24
Probability of Major Depression Classification Based on the SCID, CIDI, and MINI Diagnostic Interviews: A Synthesis of Three Individual Participant Data Meta-Analyses
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 02-09-2031
DOI: 10.1159/000509283
Abstract: b i Introduction: /i /b Three previous in idual participant data meta-analyses (IPDMAs) reported that, compared to the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM (SCID), alternative reference standards, primarily the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), tended to misclassify major depression status, when controlling for depression symptom severity. However, there was an important lack of precision in the results. b i Objective: /i /b To compare the odds of the major depression classification based on the SCID, CIDI, and MINI. b i Methods: /i /b We included and standardized data from 3 IPDMA databases. For each IPDMA, separately, we fitted binomial generalized linear mixed models to compare the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of major depression classification, controlling for symptom severity and characteristics of participants, and the interaction between interview and symptom severity. Next, we synthesized results using a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis. b i Results: /i /b In total, 69,405 participants (7,574 [11%] with major depression) from 212 studies were included. Controlling for symptom severity and participant characteristics, the MINI (74 studies 25,749 participants) classified major depression more often than the SCID (108 studies 21,953 participants aOR 1.46 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.92]). Classification odds for the CIDI (30 studies 21,703 participants) and the SCID did not differ overall (aOR 1.19 95% CI 0.79–1.75) however, as screening scores increased, the aOR increased less for the CIDI than the SCID (interaction aOR 0.64 95% CI 0.52–0.80). b i Conclusions: /i /b Compared to the SCID, the MINI classified major depression more often. The odds of the depression classification with the CIDI increased less as symptom levels increased. Interpretation of research that uses diagnostic interviews to classify depression should consider the interview characteristics.
Evaluating How Mental Health Changed in Australia through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the ‘Taking the Pulse of the Nation’ (TTPN) Survey
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-01-2022
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health at the level of the population. The current study adds to the evidence base by examining how the prevalence of psychological distress changed in Australia during the pandemic. The study also assesses the psychometric properties of a new single-item measure of mental distress included in a survey program conducted regularly throughout the pandemic. Data are from 1158 respondents in wave 13 (early July 2020) of the nationally representative Taking the Pulse of the Nation (TTPN) Survey. The questionnaire included the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and a new single-item measure of distress. Results show a significant increase in the prevalence of psychological distress in Australia, from 6.3% pre-pandemic to 17.7% in early July 2020 (unadjusted odds ratio = 3.19 95% CI (confidence interval) = 2.51 to 4.05). The new single-item measure of distress is highly correlated with the K6. This study provides a snapshot at one point in time about how mental health worsened in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by demonstrating the accuracy of the new single-item measure of distress, this analysis also provides a basis for further research examining the trajectories and correlates of distress in Australia across the pandemic.
Age, sex and period estimates of Australia’s mental health over the last 17 years
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-11-2019
Abstract: Describing the long-term mental health of Australians is limited as many reports rely on cross-sectional studies which fail to account for within-person changes and age-related developmental processes which may bias estimates which ignore these phenomena. We examined the 17-year trajectories of mental health in 27,519 Australian adults. Household panel data of 27,519 participants aged 18 years and over from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey provided at least one observation of mental health over a 17-year period from 2001. On average, participants reported 7.6 observations. Mental Health was assessed annually using the Short-Form Health Survey-36 mental health scale. Over time, there were only very small changes in mental health and only for the youngest and oldest adults. Over time, there was consistent evidence for better metal health with increasing age, although for the very old, there appear to be substantial declines. These patterns were consistent between sex. In line with an existing literature, males reported better mental health over life span, although the declines of mental health in very-late-life are particularly pronounced for males. Decline in mental health was only reported by the youngest and oldest respondents, and was notable only in the last 4–5 years. However, the magnitude of the decline was small and further follow-up will be needed to determine whether this is a trend of substantive declining mental health for these specific age cohorts. In contrast, the more consistent finding is that there has been no substantive change in the level of mental health in Australia over the last 17 years. Analysis of the mental health trajectories of baseline age-cohorts confirmed that age differences are consistent over time.
A New Measure of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Factor Structure and Validity of the rRST Questionnaire in the PATH Through Life Project
Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing Group
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1027/1864-9335/A000502
Abstract: Abstract. The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate behavior and their functioning can be associated with personality. The functions and associations of RST systems were revised into fight–flight–freeze system (FFFS), behavioral approach/activation system (rBAS), and behavioral inhibition system (rBIS) however, there is limited study of the revised systems due to lack of validated measures. We investigated scale structure, sex invariance, and psychometric properties of the revised RST questionnaire (rRST-Q). The rRST-Q showed good fit as a 5-factor structure with free interfactor correlations and was sex invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures were consistent with theory and literature. The rRST-Q is a reliable measure, and its use will help understand the link between brain, personality, and behavior.
Longitudinal change in spousal similarities in mental health: Between-couple and within-couple perspectives.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 06-2013
DOI: 10.1037/A0032902
Abstract: Research based on between-couple perspectives indicate that spouses share similarities in a range of psychosocial characteristics. In this study, the authors add to existing research by examining spousal similarities in mental health and its time-related change from both between-couple and within-couple perspectives. The authors apply latent growth models to 9-wave annual longitudinal data obtained from 3,410 adult couples in the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA Mage wives = 48 years, Mage husbands = 50 years). In a first step, the authors corroborate extant findings from a between-couple perspective that spouses show considerable similarities in levels of and changes in mental health. In a second step, they calculate a within-couple similarity index (i.e., using absolute difference scores calculated based on the 2 partners' mental health). The authors show that mental health ratings between partners within a given spousal unit differed considerably (0.88 SD) and that these differences remained relatively stable over time. Examining between-couple differences in within-couple similarity revealed that larger discrepancies were associated with lower mental health (of in idual partners), chronic health conditions, less marital satisfaction, and elevated risks for dissolution of the partnership. The authors discuss ways to integrate this counterintuitive set of findings with research originating from between-couple and within-couple perspectives, argue that a certain degree of spousal differences-if kept within certain bounds-can be adaptive serving developmental and relationship functions, and suggest routes for future inquiry on spousal similarities.
The symbol digit modalities test: Normative data from a large nationally representative sample of Australians
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-10-2014
Abstract: Data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey were used to calculate weighted norms for the written version of the Symbol Digits Modalities Test (SDMT) by gender, 5-year age groups and four levels of educational attainment. The s le comprised 14,456 Australians (47% male age range 15-100), of whom 25% reported a tertiary qualification, 30% reported a technical qualification (diploma or trade certificate), 16% reported completing Year 12 (final year of high school), and 29% reported their highest level of educational attainment to be Year 11 or below. Participants were excluded if they reported physical or neurological conditions that limited performance. Age, gender, and education were all significantly associated with SDMT performance, as was poor health, and cultural background. The reported norms are of greater scope and precision than previously available and have utility in a range of clinical and research settings. Indeed, normative data for the SDMT that are representative of a national population have not previously been published.
Mental Health Problems and Internet Access: Results From an Australian National Household Survey (Preprint)
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 07-06-2019
Abstract: ental health support and interventions are increasingly delivered on the web, and stepped care systems of mental health services are embracing the notion of a digital gateway through which in iduals can have access to information, assessment, and services and can be connected with more intensive services if needed. Although concerns have been raised over whether people with mental health problems are disadvantaged in terms of their access to the internet, there is a lack of representative data on this topic. his study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health and internet access, particularly lack of access because of affordability issues. ata from wave 14 of the i Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia /i survey were used (n=15,596) in the analyses. S le weights available in the survey were used to calculate the proportion of those with or without internet access for those with and without mental health problems and more severe long-term mental health conditions. These proportions were also calculated for those with and without internet access due, specifically, to affordability issues. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between mental health status and internet access/affordability issues, adjusting for a range of covariates. ccess to the internet was poorer for those with mental health problems (87.8%) than those without mental health problems (92.2%), and the difference was greater when a measure of more severe mental health conditions was used (81.3% vs 92.2%). The regression models showed that even after adjusting for a broad range of covariates, people with mental ill health were significantly more likely to have no internet access because of unaffordability than those without mental ill health (mental health problems: relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.68 95% CI 1.11-2.53 and severe mental health conditions: RRR 1.92 95% CI 1.16-3.19). s Australia and other nations increasingly deliver mental health services on the web, issues of equity and affordability need to be considered to ensure that those who most need support and assistance are not further disadvantaged.
Trajectories of psychological distress over multiple COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2023
COSMIC (Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium): an international consortium to identify risk and protective factors and biomarkers of cognitive ageing and dementia in diverse ethnic and sociocultural groups.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-11-2013
Consistency and Continuity in Material and Psychosocial Adversity Among Australian Families with Young Children
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-06-2016
Is regionalism an increasing feature of the world economy?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2007
Workplace Bullying and Suicidal Ideation: Findings from an Australian Longitudinal Cohort Study of Mid-Aged Workers
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-02-2020
Abstract: Workplace bullying adversely affects mental health, yet little is known about the outcomes for suicidal ideation. The current study used Australian population-based data to investigate the association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation. The s le included 1488 employed participants aged 52–58 from wave 4 of the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Study. Workplace bullying was measured in two ways: (a) a single item asked about experiences of bullying ‘currently’, ‘previously in the current workplace’ and ‘in a past workplace’, and (b) 15 items asked about bullying behaviours experienced in the past 6 months. Suicidal ideation was measured using items from the Psychiatric Symptom Frequency Scale (PSF) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Psychosocial job quality, both current and prior, was adjusted for. Current and past experiences of workplace bullying were associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation. Current experiences were no longer associated after adjusting for concurrent indicators of psychosocial job stress, although a tendency for increased ideation remained. Reported prior experience of workplace bullying in a past workplace remained associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation after adjusting for prior psychosocial job stressors and excluding in iduals with prior suicidal ideation. Being bullied at work is associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts, although this occurs within the broader influence of other psychologically stressful employment conditions.
The role of social support in protecting mental health when employed and unemployed: A longitudinal fixed-effects analysis using 12 annual waves of the HILDA cohort
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2016.01.050
Abstract: Perceived social support is associated with overall better mental health. There is also evidence that unemployed workers with higher social support cope better psychologically than those without such support. However, there has been limited research about the effect of social support among people who have experienced both unemployment and employment. We assessed this topic using 12 years of annually collected cohort data. The s le included 3190 people who had experienced both unemployment and employment. We used longitudinal fixed-effects modelling to investigate within-person changes in mental health comparing the role of social support when a person was unemployed to when they were employed. Compared to when a person reported low social support, a change to medium (6.35, 95% 5.66 to 7.04, p < 0.001) or high social support (11.58, 95%, 95% CI 10.81 to 12.36, p < 0.001) was associated with a large increase in mental health (measured on an 100 point scale, with higher scores representing better mental health). When a person was unemployed but had high levels of social support, their mental health was 2.89 points (95% CI 1.67 to 4.11, p < 0.001) higher than when they were employed but had lower social support. The buffering effect of social support was confirmed in stratified analysis. There was a strong direct effect of social support on mental health. The magnitude of these differences could be considered clinically meaningful. Our results also suggest that social support has a significant buffering effect on mental health when a person is unemployed.
Bridging Classical and Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Research: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Large Population Study
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 20-12-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FPSYG.2021.737117
Abstract: The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate protective and appetitive behaviours and the functioning of these systems is associated to personality traits. In this manner, the RST is a link between neuroscience, behaviour, and personality. The theory evolved to the present revised version describing three systems: fight-flight-freezing, behavioural approach/activation (BAS), and behavioural inhibition (BIS). However, the most widely available measure of the theory, the BIS/BAS scales, only investigates two systems. Using a large longitudinal community survey, we found that the BIS/BAS scales can be re-structured to investigate the three systems of the theory with a BIS scale, three BAS scales, and a separate fight-flight-freezing system (FFFS) scale. The re-structured scales were age, sex, and longitudinally invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures followed theoretical expectations and previously published associations. The proposed framework can be used to investigate behavioural choices influencing physical and mental health and bridge historical with contemporary research.
Incidence of self-reported brain injury and the relationship with substance abuse: findings from a longitudinal community survey
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-03-2010
Cognitive development over 8 years in midlife and its association with cardiovascular risk factors
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 07-2014
DOI: 10.1037/NEU0000044
Abstract: We describe population-level cognitive development in early middle-age and evaluate whether cardiovascular risk factors for late-onset dementia influence cognitive change in midlife. The s le from the PATH Through Life (PATH) Project (N = 2,530 40-44 years of age at baseline) was drawn randomly from the community, followed for 8 years, and assessed on cognitive function, health, and lifestyle risk factors at 4 yearly intervals. A summary risk score (PATHrisk) was computed for presence of smoking, hypertension, depression, high body mass index, diabetes, and insufficient physical activity. Decline in processing speed and reaction time (RT) and improvement in memory and verbal ability were observed. Higher PATHrisk score was associated with poorer performance on all cognitive tests, except for RT. Participants with higher PATHrisk scores had greater slowing on choice RT over 8 years. Education was associated with cognitive test performance and was weakly protective against slowing of RT. In idual risk factors, primarily diabetes, smoking, and depression, were associated with cognitive function, and smoking was associated with decline in simple RT. Reliable change in cognitive function was detected in midlife, and decline occurred primarily in measures of cognitive speed. It appears that in midlife, the overall burden of cardiovascular risk factors is more important than in idual risk factors. Midlife is a critical period for identifying modifiable risk factors for dementia in late-life, and evaluation of burden of risk factors is indicated for developing strategies to prevent cognitive decline in ageing.
Is unemployment benefit stigma related to poverty, payment receipt, or lack of employment? A vignette experiment about Australian views
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/ASAP.12313
Abstract: The present study sought to better understand the extent to which negative perceptions of people who receive unemployment benefits is due to their poverty status, their unemployment, and/or their receipt of income support payments. We sought to differentiate these three factors in a vignette‐based experiment drawing on a large Australian general population s le ( N = 778). Participants rated the personality and capability of two fictional characters. The key experimental manipulation of employment status and benefit receipt was embedded in description of other characteristics. Participants rated vignette characters who received unemployment benefits less favorably on personality (conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness), competence, and warmth than characters described as having a job, as being poor, or as not having a job but without mention of receiving benefits. There was a gradient in the strength of negative assessments across these conditions, but only warmth, conscientiousness and employability distinguished between in iduals receiving unemployment benefits and in iduals without a job but no reference to benefit receipt. This study provides new insights showing that receiving benefits due to unemployment contributes to negative perceptions over and above the effects of poverty or being unemployed.
Psychosocial job adversity and health in Australia: Analysis of data from the HILDA Survey
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2011.00771.X
Abstract: This study examines measures of psychosocial job quality developed from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, and reports on associations with physical and mental health. The study used seven waves of data from the HILDA Survey with 5,548 employed respondents. Longitudinal random-intercept regression models assessed the association of time-varying and between-person measures of psychosocial job quality job adversity with physical and mental health. Respondents' specific experience of psychosocial job adversity, except marketability, was associated with increased risk of mental health problems, whereas the association between psychosocial job adversity and physical health was largely driven by differences between people. Moving into jobs with different psychosocial quality is associated with changes in mental health. In contrast, in iduals with poor physical health show an increased propensity to work in poor-quality jobs but it seems that changes in physical health are not as strongly tied to changes in job quality. Differences in the relationship between physical and mental health and psychosocial job quality have implications for the design of employment, health and social policy. The HILDA Survey is an important resource for policy development in Australia, and the availability of valid measures of psychosocial of job quality will enhance its use to better understand this important determinant and correlate of health.
Psychological distress in rural Australia: regional variation and the role of family functioning and social support
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-09-2014
Western diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus: A longitudinal investigation
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-09-2015
How can data harmonisation benefit mental health research? An example of the Cannabis Cohorts Research Consortium
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-03-2015
Dynamics of Mental Health and Healthcare Use among Children and Young Adults
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2021
The association between Western and Prudent dietary patterns and fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes and normal glucose metabolism in older Australian adults
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
Currency areas in theory and practice?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2005
What are older adults seeking? Factors encouraging or discouraging retirement village living
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-08-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2012.00623.X
Abstract: (1) To identify factors that older adults find encouraging or discouraging about the prospect of relocation to a retirement village and (2) to identify features or facilities often associated with retirement communities that are most appealing to prospective residents. Randomly selected community residents (n = 517), aged 55-94 years, from the Australian Capital Territory completed postal surveys to identify the characteristics associated with retirement villages that influence relocation decisions. The provision of outdoor living areas, support in maintaining independence, assisted living facilities and accessibility to medical facilities were identified as factors that would encourage relocation. Luxury services (e.g. heated swimming pools) were indicated as least likely to encourage relocation. Negative perceptions most influential in discouraging relocation reflected a fear of losing independence and privacy. Through identifying the expectations of prospective residents, retirement village providers may better tailor facilities to the needs of their target demographic.
Serendipitous discovery of a brightening quasar at redshift z = 3.68
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2020
Supportive, Aversive, Ambivalent, and Indifferent Partner Evaluations in Midlife and Young-Old Adulthood
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-04-2010
Abstract: Age group differences in self-reported supportive, aversive, ambivalent, and indifferent partner relations were examined in a large s le of midlife (aged 40-44 at baseline, n = 1,719) and older (aged 60-64 at baseline, n = 1,675) married and partnered adults assessed on two occasions 4 years apart. Older adults, particularly older men, were more likely to rate their relationship as supportive and less likely to rate their relationship as aversive relative to midlife adults. Midlife adults were more likely to provide ambivalent or indifferent assessments (as opposed to supportive assessments) of their relationship relative to older adults. Results are discussed in the context of possible developmental changes in interpersonal and intimate relations occurring in middle and older adulthood.
The economic development of Canada
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 05-11-2013
Does reverse causality explain the relationship between diet and depression?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2015.01.007
Abstract: Observational studies have repeatedly demonstrated relationships between habitual diet quality and depression. However, whilst reverse causality has not been the identified mechanism for these associations in prospective studies, the relationship between diet and depression is likely complex and bidirectional. Thus explicit investigation of the reverse causality hypothesis is warranted. Data were drawn from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Study, a longitudinal community survey following three age cohorts from Australia. Analyses evaluated the relationships between past depression and treatment, current depressive symptoms and dietary patterns. In iduals with current depression had lower scores on a healthy dietary pattern however, those who had been previously depressed and sought treatment had higher scores on the healthy dietary pattern at the later baseline assessment. Moreover, those who had reported prior, but not current, depression also had lower scores on the western dietary pattern than those without prior depression, regardless of whether they had been previously treated for their symptoms. Self-report data and possible recall bias limit our conclusions. In this study, prior depression was associated with better quality diets at the later time point. Thus, while current depression is associated with poorer dietary habits, a history of depression may prompt healthier dietary behaviours in the long term. Given the demonstrated relationships between diet quality and depressive illness, clinicians should advocate dietary improvement for their patients with depression and should not be pessimistic about the likelihood of adherence to such recommendations.
Gender differences in depression and anxiety across the adult lifespan: the role of psychosocial mediators
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-06-2008
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-008-0388-Z
Abstract: There is robust epidemiological and clinical evidence that a greater number of women than men experience depression and anxiety. This study investigated a number of socio-demographic, health and lifestyle, psychological and social factors as possible mediators for the gender difference in depression and anxiety in three cohorts (20-24, 40-44, 60-64). Responses were from a representative, community based survey (n = 7,485) conducted in Canberra and Queanbeyan (NSW), in Australia. Depression and anxiety were measured using the self-report Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scales. The analyses initially identified gender differences in the potential mediators, followed by univariate and multivariate mediation models. The results indicated several shared mediators for depression and anxiety across the three age groups including: childhood adversity, mastery, behavioural inhibition, ruminative style, neuroticism, physical health, physical activity, and perceived interpersonal and employment problems. There was a decrease in the number of social mediators as age increased. The multivariate models accounted for gender differences in both conditions for all age groups, except for anxiety in the 20-24 years old. This suggests further important unmeasured mediators for this age group. These findings add to the literature surrounding gender differences in depression and anxiety, and provide a basis for future research exploring variation in these gender disparities over the adult lifespan.
A Longitudinal Analysis of General Practitioner Service Use by Patients with Mild Cognitive Disorders in Australia
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1159/000447123
Abstract: b i Background: /i /b The aim of this study was to ascertain if participants diagnosed with any mild cognitive disorder (MCD) visited a general practitioner (GP) more than those without MCD and the effect of either depression or arthritis on GP use longitudinally. b i Methods: /i /b 2,551 participants aged 60-64 years at baseline completed the Personality and Total Health Through Life (PATH) study in Canberra. Follow-up data were collected after 4 and 8 years. A cognitive screening battery was used to screen participants into a substudy of MCD. b i Results: /i /b Participants with any MCD had greater GP use than cognitively healthy participants across all three waves (wave 1, M = 7.35 vs. 5.59 wave 2, M = 7.77 vs. 5.86 wave 3, M = 9.01 vs. 6.81). After adjusting for demographic and health factors, MCD was a significant predictor of GP use at all three waves (p 0.05, CI 0.84-0.99). b i Conclusion: /i /b This study has shown that MCD is associated with a higher use of GP visits, especially if the patient has a comorbid condition.
Out-of-pocket costs, primary care frequent attendance and sample selection: Estimates from a longitudinal cohort design
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.HEALTHPOL.2018.03.014
Abstract: This paper examines the effect of out-of-pocket costs on subsequent frequent attendance in primary care using data from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project, a representative community cohort study from Canberra, Australia. The analysis s le comprised 1197 respondents with two or more GP consultations, and uses survey data linked to administrative health service use (Medicare) data which provides data on the number of consultations and out-of-pocket costs. Respondents identified in the highest decile of GP use in a year were defined as Frequent Attenders (FAs). Logistic regression models that did not account for potential selection effects showed that out-of-pocket costs incurred during respondents' prior two consultations were significantly associated with subsequent FA status. Respondents who incurred higher costs ($15-$35 or >$35) were less likely to become FAs than those who incurred no or low (<AUS$15 per consultation) costs, with no difference evident between the no and low-cost groups. However, a counterfactual model that adjusted for factors associated with the selection into payment levels did not find an influence of payment, with only a non-significant gradient in the expected direction. Hence these findings raise doubts that price drives FA behaviour, suggesting that co-payments are unlikely to affect the number of GP consultations amongst frequent attenders.
Validity of the mental health component scale of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (MCS-12) as measure of common mental disorders in the general population
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2006.11.005
Abstract: This study assessed the screening utility of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey's (SF-12) mental health component scale (MCS-12) for diagnosable depression and anxiety disorders in a general population s le, and thus, the validity of this scale as a measure of mental health in epidemiological research. Data were from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (N=10,504). Diagnoses were made using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The MCS-12 was compared to other brief scales: the RAND Mental Health Component scale (RAND MHC-12, an alternative scoring method for the MCS-12), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10 and K6), and an estimate of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5). The MCS-12 and RAND MHC-12 were equally able to discriminate respondents with the target diagnoses. The MCS-12 performed better than the GHQ-12, and equally to the K6 for diagnoses of depression, though not anxiety disorders, where the K6 showed greater utility. The K10 out-performed the MCS-12 for all diagnoses. Areas under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) indicated that the MCS-12 is valid measure of mental health in epidemiological research, and a useful screening tool for both depression (AUC=0.92) and anxiety disorders (AUC=0.83).
Is poor mental health a risk factor for retirement? Findings from a longitudinal population survey
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-04-2012
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-011-0375-7
Abstract: Poor mental health may influence people's decisions about, and ability to, keep working into later adulthood. The identification of factors that drive retirement provides valuable information for policymakers attempting to mitigate the effects of population ageing. This study examined whether mental health predicts subsequent retirement in a general population s le, and whether this association varied with the timing of retirement. Longitudinal data from 2,803 people aged 45-75 years were drawn from five waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Discrete-time survival analyses were used to estimate the association between mental health and retirement. Mental health was measured using the Mental Health Index (MHI-5). The relative influences of other health, social, financial, and work-related predictors of retirement were considered to determine the unique contribution of mental health to retirement behaviour. Poor mental health was associated with higher rates of retirement in men (hazard rate ratio, HRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.29), and workforce exit more generally in women (HRR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.22). These associations varied with the timing of retirement and were driven by early retirees specifically. Physical functioning, income, social activity, job conditions (including job stress for women and job control for men), and aspects of job satisfaction also predicted subsequent retirement. Poor mental and physical health predict workforce departure in mid-to-late adulthood, particularly early retirement. Strategies to accommodate health conditions in the workplace may reduce rates of early retirement and encourage people to remain at work into later adulthood.
An examination of seasonality experienced by Australians living in a continental temperate climate zone
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2004
Considering relocation to a retirement village: Predictors from a community sample
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-10-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2012.00618.X
Abstract: To identify characteristics distinguishing older adults who have considered relocation to a retirement village in the future from those who have not. Community-living residents (n = 517), aged 55 to 94, randomly selected from the Australian Capital Territory completed a postal survey. Consistent with prior research, the majority of respondents had not considered relocation to a retirement village. Retired persons, those aged 55-64 years, and persons reporting sufficient financial resources, poorer physical health and poorer current neighbourhood cohesion were most likely to have considered future relocation. The identification of factors characterising older adults seeking retirement village housing in the future is important in developing an understanding of the needs and expectations of the older population, and may allow aged care providers to better target the development of services to population needs (e.g. health-care supports). Further investigation into the specific expectations of the 55-64 year cohort is required.
Psychosocial job quality in a national sample of working Australians: A comparison of persons working with versus without disability.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
Kazakhstan's economy since independence: Does the oil boom offer a second chance for sustainable development?
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2005
Causal modelling of variation in clinical practice and long-term outcomes of ADHD using Norwegian registry data: The ADHD controversy project
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-041698
Abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents, and it is a strong risk factor for several adverse psychosocial outcomes over the lifespan. There are large between-country and within-country variations in diagnosis and medication rates. Due to ethical and practical considerations, a few studies have examined the effects of receiving a diagnosis, and there is a lack of research on effects of medication on long-term outcomes. Our project has four aims organised in four work packages: (WP1) To examine the prognosis of ADHD (with and without medication) compared with patients with other psychiatric diagnoses, patients in contact with public sector child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics (without diagnosis) and the general population (WP2) Examine within-country variation in ADHD diagnoses and medication rates by clinics’ catchment area and(WP3) Identify causal effects of being diagnosed with ADHD and (WP4) ADHD medication on long-term outcomes. Our project links several nationwide Norwegian registries. The patient s le is all persons aged 5–18 years that were in contact with public sector child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics in 2009–2011. Our comparative analysis of prognosis will be based on survival analysis and mixed-effects models. Our analysis of variation will apply mixed-effects models and generalised linear models. We have two identification strategies for the effect of being diagnosed with ADHD and of receiving medication on long-term outcomes. Both strategies rely on using preference-based instrumental variables, which in our project are based on provider preferences for ADHD diagnosis and medication. The project is approved by the Regional Ethics Committee, Norway (REC number 2017/2150/REC south-east D). All papers will be published in open-access journals and results will be presented in national and international conferences. ISRCTN11573246 and ISRCTN11891971 .
Depression and anxiety in early adulthood: Consequences for finding a partner, and relationship support and conflict
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796020000530
Abstract: Mental health problems in early adulthood may disrupt partner relationship formation and quality. This prospective study used four waves of Australian data to investigate the effects of depression and anxiety in early adulthood on the quality of future partner (i.e. marriage or cohabiting) relationships. A representative community s le of Australian adults aged 20–24 years was assessed in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Analyses were restricted to those who at baseline had never entered a marriage or cohabiting relationship with no children ( n = 1592). Associations were examined between baseline depression and anxiety levels (using the Goldberg Depression and Anxiety scales) and (a) future relationship status and (b) the quality of marriage or cohabiting relationships recorded at follow-up (up to 12 years later) (partner social support and conflict scales). Depression in early adulthood was associated with never entering a partner relationship over the study period. For those who did enter a relationship, both depression and anxiety were significantly associated with subsequently lower relationship support and higher conflict. Supplementary analyses restricting the analyses to the first relationship entered at follow-up, and considering comorbid anxiety and depression, strongly supported these findings. Depression and anxiety in early adulthood is associated with poorer partner relationship quality in the future. This study adds to evidence showing that mental health problems have substantial personal and inter-personal costs. The findings support the need to invest in prevention and early intervention.
Community Attitudes Toward People Receiving Unemployment Benefits: Does Volunteering Change Perceptions?
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-09-2018
Effect of lockdown on mental health in Australia: evidence from a natural experiment analysing a longitudinal probability sample survey
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
Relative living standards in new market economies: Evidence from Central Asian household surveys
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2002
Cardiovascular risk factors and life events as antecedents of depressive symptoms in middle and early-old age: Path through life study
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2009
Protecting mental health during periods of financial stress: Evidence from the Australian Coronavirus Supplement income support payment
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
Identifying long-term psychological distress from single measures: evidence from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of the Australian population
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-03-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12874-020-00938-8
Abstract: Single time-point assessments of psychological distress are often used to indicate chronic mental health problems, but the validity of this approach is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate how a single assessment of distress relates to longer-term assessment and quantify misclassification from using single measures to indicate chronic distress. Data came from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, a nationally representative study of Australian adults. Psychological distress, measured with the Kessler10 and categorised into low (scores:10- 12), mild (12- 16), moderate (16- 22) and high (22–50), has been assessed in the Survey biennially since wave 7. Among respondents who were aged ≥25 years and participated in all waves in which distress was measured, we describe agreement in distress categories, and using a mixed linear model adjusting for age and sex we estimate change in scores, over a two-, four-, six- and eight-year follow-up period. We applied weights, benchmarked to the Australian population, to all analyses. Two-years following initial assessment, proportions within identical categories of distress were 66.0% for low, 54.5% for mild, 44.0% for moderate and 50.3% for high, while 94.1% of those with low distress initially had low/mild distress and 81.4% with high distress initially had moderate/high distress. These patterns did not change materially as follow-up time increased. Over the full eight-year period, 77.3% of in iduals with high distress initially reported high distress on ≥1 follow-up occasion. Age-and sex- adjusted change in K10 scores over a two-year period was 1.1, 0.5, − 0.7 and − 4.9 for low, mild, moderate and high distress, respectively, and also did not change materially as follow-up time increased. In the absence of repeated measures, single assessments are useful proxies for chronic distress. Our estimates could be used in bias analyses to quantify the magnitude of the bias resulting from use of single assessments to indicate chronic distress.
Test-retest reliability of a new form of the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-1994
Resource management and transition in Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Mongolia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2012
Longitudinal cohort study describing persistent frequent attenders in Australian primary healthcare
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2015
Poor mental health influences risk and duration of unemployment: a prospective study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-06-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-011-0409-1
Abstract: The current paper aims to investigate the role of mental health in determining future employment status. Much of the previous longitudinal and prospective research has focused on how unemployment adversely influences mental health, while the reverse causal direction has received much less attention. This study uses five waves of data from 5,846 respondents in the HILDA survey, a nationally representative household panel survey conducted annually since 2001. Prospective analyses followed a group of respondents who were not unemployed at baseline across four subsequent years and investigated whether baseline mental health was associated with subsequent unemployment. Baseline mental health status was a significant predictor of overall time spent unemployed for both men and women. Decomposing this overall effect identified sex differences. For women but not men, baseline mental health was associated with risk of experiencing any subsequent unemployment whereas for men but not women mental health was associated with the duration of unemployment amongst those who experienced unemployment. By following a group of respondents who were not unemployed over time, we showed that poor mental health predicted subsequent unemployment. On average, men and women who experienced symptoms of common mental disorders spent greater time over the next 4 years unemployed than those with better mental health but there were sex differences in the nature of this effect. These findings highlight the importance of mental health in the design and delivery of employment and welfare policy.
Sickness Absence and Psychosocial Job Quality: An Analysis From a Longitudinal Survey of Working Australians, 2005–2012
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 03-04-2015
DOI: 10.1093/AJE/KWU355
Gender differences in the trajectories of late-life depressive symptomology and probable depression in the years prior to death
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 09-07-2013
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610213001099
Abstract: Gender differences in depression are well established. Whether these differences persist into late life and in the years preceding death is less clear. There is a suggestion that there is no increased likelihood of depression in late life, but that there is an increase in depressive symptomology, particularly with proximity to death. We compared trajectories of probable depression and depressive symptomology between men and women over age and distance-to-death metrics to determine whether reports of depressive symptoms are more strongly related to age or mortality. Participants (N = 2,852) from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project had a mean age of 75 years (SD = 5.68 years) at baseline and were observed for up to 16 years prior to death. Multi-level regression models estimated change in depressive symptomology and probable depression over two time metrics, increasing age, and distance-to-death. Increases in depressive symptomology were reported over increasing age and in the years approaching death. Only male participants reported increased probable depression in the years preceding death. Models that utilized distance-to-death metrics better represented changes in late-life depression, although any changes in depression appear to be accounted for by co-varying physical health status. As death approaches, there are increases in the levels of depressive symptomology even after controlling for socio-demographic and health covariates. In line with increases in suicide rates in late life, male participants were at greater risk of reporting increases in depressive symptomology.
Measuring gambling participation
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-06-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1360-0443.2008.02412.X
Abstract: There are many parallels between research on gambling and research on alcohol use, but a striking difference is the emphasis in the former area on problem gambling rather than the use of participation measures. We outline five topics that are underdeveloped as a consequence: (i) gambling participation and future problems (ii) moderate gambling (iii) separate measurement of exposures and harms (iv) predictors of participation and (v) natural history of participation. Challenges to the future development of gambling participation measures are discussed by reference to comparable difficulties in the field of alcohol use and some ex les are given as to how progress could be made. Further development of measures will necessarily occur in the context of broader scientific aims. Some recent studies are highlighted that provide hope of gains in this area. We urge further progress to yield conceptually and operationally distinct indices of exposures and harms.
Cohort profile: The dynamic analyses to optimize ageing (DYNOPTA) project
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-01-2010
DOI: 10.1093/IJE/DYN276
Amphetamine use in the fourth decade of life: Social profiles from a population-based Australian cohort
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-07-2018
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12840
Abstract: To estimate the prevalence and frequency of hetamine use in a cohort of Australians aged in their mid-30s. Cross-sectional analysis of wave 10 data collected in 2014 from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study: a s le of 1435 persons originally selected in a stratified, random community survey of secondary school students from the state of Victoria that commenced in 1992. Weighted multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the social, health and other substance-use correlates of lifetime and current (12-month) hetamine use and current frequency of use. Lifetime hetamine use was reported by 23.2% (95% confidence interval 21.0-25.5%) of respondents, and 6.5% (95% confidence interval 5.2-7.8%) reported current (12-month) use. A quarter (26%) of those currently using hetamines, 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.4%) of all respondents, reported frequent (at least weekly) use. Men reported greater hetamine use than women. Current hetamine use was associated with disrupted family circumstances, socioeconomic adversity, polydrug use and high levels of drug use within the social and familial environment. Frequent use was associated with greater likelihood of multiple adversity, unemployment, anxiety disorders and use of mental health services. The current results show that lifetime, current and frequent hetamine use was common amongst adults in the fourth decade of life in this cohort, and associated with the experience of social disadvantage, poor mental health and living in a social context in which drug use is the norm.
Age-related cognitive decline and associations with sex, education and apolipoprotein E genotype across ethnocultural groups and geographic regions: a collaborative cohort study.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 21-03-2017
Psychosocial Job Stressors and Mental Health
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2018
The validity of the SF-36 in an Australian National Household Survey: demonstrating the applicability of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examination of health i
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-10-2004
RADAR study: protocol for an observational cohort study to identify early warning signals on the pathways to alcohol use disorder
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-2017
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2017-018256
Abstract: Harmful alcohol consumption, particularly alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a worldwide health priority, contributing substantially to global morbidity and mortality. The peak age of onset of AUD is 18–24, thus a deeper understanding of the young adult experience is vital if we are to identify modifiable risk factors and intervene early in the developmental course of this disabling disorder. Critical unanswered questions include: How soon after drinking initiation do AUD symptoms begin to emerge? Which symptoms come first? Do the symptoms unfold in a predictable pattern? In what ways do the emerging symptoms interact with in idual, peer, family and environmental risk factors to impact on the transition to disorder? The proposed RADAR study will examine the prospective development of AUD symptoms over the young adulthood (18–24) years. We will capitalise on an existing cohort of 1911 community-based adolescents who were recruited at age 13 and have completed a baseline and five annual follow-up assessments as part of an observational cohort study. We will interview these adolescents every 6 months between the ages of 19 and 23 to derive monthly histories of both alcohol use and AUD symptomatology, along with a comprehensive battery of risk and protective factor scales hypothesised to predict the emergence and course of AUD. The results of this study will inform the natural history of AUD and will be used to identify specific targets for prevention and early intervention of AUD. Ethical approval has already been granted for the study (UNSW HREC 10144). We will disseminate the results of the study through published manuscripts, conferences and seminar presentations. Data used in published manuscripts will be made available through a suitable online repository (eg, Dryad–datadryad.org).
Mental health selection and income support dynamics: Multiple spell discrete-time survival analyses of welfare receipt
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-12-2014
Abstract: The higher occurrence of common psychiatric disorders among welfare recipients has been attributed to health selection, social causation and underlying vulnerability. The aims of this study were to test for the selection effects of mental health problems on entry and re-entry to working-age welfare payments in respect to single parenthood, unemployment and disability. Nationally representative longitudinal data were drawn from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. Multiple spell discrete-time survival analyses were conducted using multinomial logistic regression models to test if pre-existing mental health problems predicted transitions to welfare. Analyses were stratified by sex and multivariate adjusted for mental health problems, father's occupation, socioeconomic position, marital status, employment history, smoking status and alcohol consumption, physical function and financial hardship. All covariates were modelled as either lagged effects or when a respondent was first observed to be at risk of income support. Mental health problems were associated with increased risk of entry and re-entry to disability, unemployment and single parenting payments for women, and disability and unemployment payments for men. These associations were attenuated but remained significant after adjusting for contemporaneous risk factors. Although we do not control for reciprocal causation, our findings are consistent with a health selection hypothesis and indicate that mental illness may be a contributing factor to later receipt of different types of welfare payments. We argue that mental health warrants consideration in the design and targeting of social and economic policies.
Prevalence of self-management versus formal service use for common mental disorders in Australia: Findings from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-2010
DOI: 10.3109/00048674.2010.483680
Abstract: To determine the proportion of Australian adults who use non-practitioner led support services and self-management strategies for common mental disorders. Data were drawn from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, a representative survey of 8841 Australian adults aged 16 to 85 years. This survey included the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument to obtain diagnosis of International Classification of Diseases (Version 10 ICD-10) mental disorders. Information about consultations with health professionals for mental health problems and the use of support services and self-management strategies was also collected. Half of all adults who met the criteria for an affective or anxiety disorder in the last 12 months reported using non-practitioner led support services and/or self-management strategies for their mental health problems. Six per cent used support services, including Internet and non-online support groups and telephone counselling, and 51.9% used self-management strategies such as doing 'more of the things you enjoy' to 'help deal with' their mental health problems. Of people with a 12-month common mental disorder, 24% used support services and/or self-management strategies without additional formal services 29.3% used both. Of adults with a 12-month affective or anxiety disorder, 37% used neither formal services nor self-management strategies. A substantial proportion of people who reported using self-management strategies for their mental health did not have a diagnosable affective or anxiety disorder. The use of non-practitioner led support services and self-management strategies for mental health problems, with and without adjunct use of formal health services, is widespread in Australia. Future research is needed to investigate why people may select these strategies over formal services, or whether self-management reflects the presence of barriers to use of formal services.
Do psychosocial job stressors influence mental health service use? Evidence from an Australian cohort
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-03-2019
DOI: 10.1136/OEMED-2018-105440
Abstract: There is strong evidence of a relationship between psychosocial job stressors and mental health at the population level. There has been no longitudinal research on whether the experience of job stressors is also associated with greater mental health service use. We seek to fill this gap. The Household Income Labour Dynamics in Australia survey cohort was used to assess the relationship between exposure to self-reported psychosocial job quality and reporting attendance at a mental health professional during the past 12 months. We adjusted for time-varying and time-invariant confounders. The study was conducted in 2009 and 2013. In the random effects logistic regression model, increasing exposure to psychosocial job stressors was associated with an increased odds of mental health service use after adjustment (one stressor: OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.56 two stressors: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.73 three stressors: OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.57). However, once the between person effects were controlled in a fixed effects model, the within-person association between change in job stressors and change in mental health service use was estimated to be close to zero and not significant. More work is needed to understand the relationship between job stressors and service use. However, when taken with past findings on job stressors and mental health, these findings highlight the importance of considering policy and clinical practice responses to adverse working contexts.
A population-based study of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and associated impairment in middle-aged adults
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 08-02-2012
A community survey demonstrated cohort differences in the lifetime prevalence of self-reported head injury
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2004
The role of financial hardship, mastery and social support in the association between employment status and depression: results from an Australian longitudinal cohort study
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2016
Socio-Economic Position and Suicidal Ideation in Men
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-03-2017
How financial hardship is associated with the onset of mental health problems over time
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-02-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-015-1027-0
Abstract: Poor mental health has been consistently linked with the experience of financial hardship and poverty. However, the temporal association between these factors must be clarified before hardship alleviation can be considered as an effective mental health promotion and prevention strategy. We examined whether the longitudinal associations between financial hardship and mental health problems are best explained by an in idual's current or prior experience of hardship, or their underlying vulnerability. We analysed nine waves (years: 2001-2010) of nationally representative panel data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey (n = 11,134). Two components of financial hardship (deprivation and cash-flow problems) and income poverty were coded into time-varying and time-invariant variables reflecting the contemporaneous experience of hardship (i.e., current), the prior experience of hardship (lagged/12 months), and any experience of hardship during the study period (vulnerability). Multilevel, mixed-effect logistic regression models tested the associations between these measures and mental health. Respondents who reported deprivation and cash-flow problems had greater risk of mental health problems than those who did not. In iduals vulnerable to hardship had greater risk of mental health problems, even at the times they did not report hardship. However, their risk of mental health problems was greater on occasions when they did experience hardship. The results are consistent with the argument that economic and social programmes that address and prevent hardship may promote community mental health.
Relationship quality and levels of depression and anxiety in a large population-based survey
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-08-2013
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-012-0559-9
Abstract: There is substantial literature suggesting that the mental health benefits of marriage (compared to being single) are greater for those in 'good-quality' relationships in comparison to those in 'poor-quality' relationships. However, little of this research utilises large population-based surveys. Large surveys in psychiatric epidemiology have focused almost exclusively on the association between marital status and mental health. The current study explores some of the reasons for this gap in the literature, and adopts a large, representative community-based s le to investigate whether associations between relationship status and levels of depression and anxiety are moderated by relationship quality. Participants were from Wave 3 of the PATH Survey, a longitudinal community survey assessing the health and well-being of residents of the Canberra region, Australia (n = 3,820). Relationship quality was measured using the 7 item dyadic adjustment scale (DAS-7), and levels of depression and anxiety were measured using the Goldberg scales. Both cross-sectional and prospective analyses showed that associations between relationship status and mental health were moderated by relationship quality for both men and women, such that only good-quality relationships bestowed mental health benefits over remaining single. For women, being in a poor-quality relationship was associated with greater levels of anxiety than being single. Epidemiological studies need to measure relationship quality to qualify the effect of relationship status on mental health.
Why do trade costs vary?
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-09-2010
Employment and retirement impacts on health and wellbeing among a sample of rural Australians
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-05-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-021-10876-9
Abstract: In Australia, it is projected that one in four in iduals will be at the nominal retirement age of 65 or over by 2056 this effect is expected to be especially pronounced in rural areas. Previous findings on the effects of retirement on wellbeing have been mixed. The present study explores the effects of employment and retirement on health and wellbeing among a s le of rural Australians. Australian Rural Mental Health Study participants who were aged 45 or over ( N = 2013) were included in a series of analyses to compare the health and wellbeing of in iduals with differing employment and retirement circumstances. Self-reported outcome variables included perceived physical health and everyday functioning, financial wellbeing, mental health, relationships, and satisfaction with life. Across the outcomes, participants who were employed or retired generally reported better health and wellbeing than those not in the workforce. Retired participants rated more highly than employed participants on mental health, relationships, and satisfaction with life. There was also a short-term benefit for perceived financial status for retired participants compared to employed participants, but this effect diminished over time. While retirement is a significant life transition that may affect multiple facets of an in idual’s life, the direction and magnitude of these effects vary depending on the retirement context, namely the pre-retirement and concurrent circumstances within which an in idual is retiring. Personal perceptions of status changes may also contribute to an in idual’s wellbeing more so than objective factors such as income. Policies that promote rural work/retirement opportunities and ersity and address rural disadvantage are needed.
Economic development and trade
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 25-10-2009
The association between mental disorders and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of record linkage studies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2019.08.054
Abstract: There has long been debate about the extent to which mental disorders contribute to suicide. We aimed to examine the evidence on the contribution of mental disorders to suicide among record linkage studies. We performed a systematic search using eight major health databases for English-language studies published between 1 January 2000 and 11 June 2018 that linked collected data on mental disorders and suicide. We then conducted a meta-analysis to assess risk of suicide conferred by mental disorders. Our search identified 20 articles representing 13 unique studies. The pooled rate ratio (RR) was 13.2 (95% CI 8.6-20.3) for psychotic disorders, 12.3 (95% CI 8.9-17.1) for mood disorders, 8.1 (95% CI 4.6-14.2) for personality disorders, 4.4 (95% CI 2.9-6.8) for substance use disorders, and 4.1 (95% CI 2.4-6.9) for anxiety disorders in the general population. The overall pooled RR for these mental disorders was 7.5 (95% CI 6.6-8.6). The population attributable risk of mental disorders was up to 21%. The overall heterogeneity between studies was very high. Our findings underline the important role of mental disorders in suicide. This suggests that ongoing efforts are required to improve access to and quality of mental health care to prevent suicide by people with mental disorders.
Trade policies in Central Asia after EU enlargement and before Russian WTO accession: Regionalism and integration into the world economy
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2005
Measuring International Trade Costs
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-02-2012
A systematic review on the effect of work-related stressors on mental health of young workers
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-01-2020
DOI: 10.1007/S00420-020-01516-7
Abstract: There is no review on the effect of work-related stressors on mental health of young workers. We systematically reviewed epidemiological evidence on this relationship. The review searched eight databases: Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl, Cochrane Library, Informit, PsycINFO, and Scopus from their respective start dates until May 2017. Studies that have examined a mental health outcome in relation to a work-related stressor as exposure in young workers were included. The review was reported based on the PRISMA statement. Three cross-sectional studies and six longitudinal cohort studies were included. Cross-sectional evidence showed that adverse work conditions including working overtime, job boredom, low skill variety, low autonomy, high job insecurity, and lack of reward were associated with poor mental health of young workers. Longitudinal evidence showed that high job demands, low job control, effort-reward imbalance, and low work support (men only) were associated with poor mental health. There was evidence on the contemporaneous relationship between two or more adverse work conditions and poor mental health. Although more research (particularly high-quality longitudinal studies) is warranted in this area, our review indicates that work-related stressors have a negative impact on the mental health of young workers. The current review suggests that workplace interventions and policy are required to improve the quality of work for young workers.
How does working nonstandard hours impact psychological resources important for parental functioning? Evidence from an Australian longitudinal cohort study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Temporal effects of separation on suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2014.04.004
Abstract: Divorce has been identified as a risk factor for suicide. However, little research has been conducted on the time trajectory of the influence of relationship separation on suicidal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the effects over time of relationship breakdown and separation on suicidality. Data were drawn from 6616 Australian adults participating in the PATH through Life Project, a population-based longitudinal study. Suicidal ideation was reported by 406 participants (6.1%), and 99 (1.5%) reported a suicide plan or attempt in the past year. The effects of separation on suicidality were strongest soon after separation, with a nearly three-fold increase in ideation (adjusted OR = 2.73, p < 0.001) and an eight-fold increase in plans/attempts (adjusted OR = 7.75, p < 0.001) in the two years following separation, gradually diminishing subsequently. The period up to four years before a separation was also found to be a time of increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours, while marriage was protective. Separation is a strong risk factor for suicidality and mental health services should target recently separated in iduals.
Young‐adult compared to adolescent onset of regular cannabis use: A 20‐year prospective cohort study of later consequences
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13239
Age group differences and longitudinal changes in approach–avoidance sensitivity: Findings from an 8-year longitudinal study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2012
Institutional Reform in Central Asia
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 13-12-2012
Does methamphetamine use increase violent behaviour? Evidence from a prospective longitudinal study
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-02-2014
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.12474
Abstract: To determine whether violent behaviour increases during periods of meth hetamine use and whether this is due to meth hetamine-induced psychotic symptoms. A fixed-effects (within-subject) analysis of four non-contiguous 1-month observation periods from a longitudinal prospective cohort study. Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. A total of 278 participants aged 16 years or older who met DSM-IV criteria for meth hetamine dependence on entry to the study but who did not meet DSM-IV criteria for life-time schizophrenia or mania. Violent behaviour was defined as severe hostility in the past month on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (corresponding to assault/damage to property). Days of meth hetamine and other substance use in the past month were assessed using the Opiate Treatment Index. Positive psychotic symptoms in the past month were identified using the BPRS. There was a dose-related increase in violent behaviour when an in idual was using meth hetamine compared with when they were not after adjusting for other substance use and socio-demographics [cf. no use in the past month: 1-15 days of use odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.6-4.9 16+ days of use OR = 9.5, 95% CI = 4.8-19.1]. The odds of violent behaviour were further increased by psychotic symptoms (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6), which accounted for 22-30% of violent behaviour related to meth hetamine use. Heavy alcohol consumption also increased the risk of violent behaviour (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.4-7.0) and accounted for 12-18% of the violence risk related to meth hetamine use. There is a dose-related increase in violent behaviour during periods of meth hetamine use that is largely independent of the violence risk associated with psychotic symptoms.
Financial hardship, socio-economic position and depression: Results from the PATH Through Life Survey
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2009.05.008
Abstract: There is a strong association between financial hardship and the experience of depression. Previous longitudinal research differs in whether this association is viewed as a contemporaneous relationship between depression and hardship or whether hardship has a role in the maintenance of existing depression. In this study we investigate the association between depression and hardship over time and seek to resolve these contradictory perspectives. We also investigate the consistency of the association across the lifecourse. This study reports analysis of two waves of data from a large community survey conducted in the city of Canberra and the surrounding region in south-east Australia. The PATH Through Life Study used a narrow-cohort design, with 6715 respondents representing three birth cohorts (1975-1979 1956-1960 and 1937-1941) assessed on the two measurement occasions (4 years apart). Depression was measured using the Goldberg Depression Scale and hardship assessed by items measuring aspects of deprivation due to lack of resources. A range of measures of socio-economic circumstance and demographic characteristics were included in logistic regression models to predict wave 2 depression. The results showed that current financial hardship was strongly and independently associated with depression, above the effects of other measures of socio-economic position and demographic characteristics. In contrast, the effect of prior financial difficulty was explained by baseline depression symptoms. There were no reliable cohort differences in the association between hardship and depression having controlled for socio-demographic characteristics. There was some evidence that current hardship was more strongly associated with depression for those who were not classified as depressed at baseline than for those identified with depression at baseline. The evidence of the contemporaneous association between hardship and depression suggests that addressing deprivation may be an effective strategy to moderate socio-economic inequalities in mental health.
APOE genotype and cognitive functioning in a large age-stratified population sample.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 2007
Abstract: There is evidence that the cognitive effects of Alzheimer's disease can be seen decades before disease diagnosis. If this is the case, then the apolipoprotein E (APOE) *E4 allele might be expected to have effects on cognitive functioning earlier in the life span. To assess such effects, the authors examined data on the *E4 allele and cognitive functioning from a population s le of 6,560 Caucasians covering the age groups of 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years. Participants were assessed on tests of episodic memory, working memory, mental speed, reaction time, and reading vocabulary. Although performance on all tests except reading vocabulary declined across age groups, there was no effect of the APOE *E4 allele at any age. These results indicate that APOE *E4 does not have preclinical effects early in the life span on these cognitive functions. Cognitive aging effects between the ages of 20 and 64 years must not be due to preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
Socioeconomic differences in antidepressant use in the PATH through life study: Evidence of health inequalities, prescribing bias, or an effective social safety net?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2013.01.006
Abstract: Depression is more common amongst those who are economically disadvantaged. However there is inconsistent evidence concerning the relationship between socioeconomic position and antidepressant use. Moreover, evidence of greater antidepressant use amongst those of lower socioeconomic position may reflect their greater psychiatric morbidity, a prescribing bias towards pharmacological treatments, or provide evidence of an effective social safety net. This study investigates these issues whilst addressing methodological limitations of earlier studies. Data were from a large, random community survey of Australian adults (N=4493) with linked administrative data for primary-care service use. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire, with other measures of current mental health and history of depression included in analysis. Multiple personal indicators and a combined measure of social disadvantage were considered. A series of analyses systematically examined competing explanations for socioeconomic differences in depression and antidepressant treatment. Markers of socioeconomic disadvantage were associated with a greater likelihood of antidepressant use. This finding was not attributable to the higher rates of depression amongst the disadvantaged. A similar pattern of results was evident for non-pharmaceutical treatments (primary care consultations). Socioeconomic position was not associated with use of complementary medications for depression, not covered by Australia's social safety net. Analysis did not consider specialist mental health services. Socially disadvantaged respondents reported greater antidepressant use and service use after controlling for current depression symptoms. This pattern of findings suggests Australia's universal health-care system and social safety net may help address potential inequalities in health care.
Examining the SF-36 in an older population: analysis of data and presentation of Australian adult reference scores from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-02-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S11136-011-9864-0
Abstract: To examine the psychometric properties of, and present reference scores for the SF-36 using data from a large community s le of older adults. Data are from the DYNOPTA project. We focus on data from five studies that included the SF-36, providing a s le of 41,338 participants aged 45-97 years. We examine the factor structure of the SF-36 and item-internal consistency. The psychometric properties of the eight scales of the SF-36 were largely consistent with previous research based on younger and/or smaller s les. However, the assumption of orthogonality between the second-order factors was not supported. In terms of age-related effects, most scales demonstrated a nonlinear effect with markedly poorer health evident for the oldest respondents. In addition, the scales measuring aspects of physical health (PH, BP, RP, GH) showed an overall linear decline in health with increasing age. There were, however, no consistent linear age-related differences in health evident for those scales most strongly associated with mental health (MH, RE, SF, VT). The results confirm the structural validity and internal consistency of the eight scales from the SF-36 with an older population and support its use to assess the health of older Australian adults.
Mental health problems among single and partnered mothers
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-006-0125-4
Abstract: Research has shown elevated levels of common mental disorders among single mothers compared with partnered mothers. The objectives of this analysis were to examine the prevalence of mental health problems among single and partnered mothers and the extent to which this relationship is mediated by socio-demographic, financial and social support variables. Using cross-sectional data from a large, nationally representative longitudinal Australian household survey--the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey--the prevalence of moderate to severe mental disability (as measured by the SF-36) was assessed among 354 single mothers and 1,689 partnered mothers. A series of univariate and simultaneous logistic regression analyses assessed the association between parenting status, the other explanatory variables and mental disability. Mediational analyses were conducted using the 'explained fraction' approach. The prevalence of moderate to severe mental disability was significantly more pronounced among single mothers (28.7%) compared with partnered mothers (15.7%). Including all explanatory factors--socio-demographic, household income, financial hardship and social support--accounted for 94% of the association between single mother status and poor mental health. Financial hardship and social support were the strongest predictors, accounting for most of the predictive power of the other variables. Single mothers are more likely to experience poor mental health than partnered mothers, and the primary factors associated with this are the presence of financial hardship in particular, as well as perceived lack of social support. Future research should examine the extent to which changes in financial hardship among different family types relate to changes in mental health over time, as well as continue to examine variables that may moderate the relationship between social disadvantage and poor mental health.
Common mental disorders and trajectories of work disability among midlife public sector employees – A 10-year follow-up study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2018.12.127
Abstract: We examined trajectories of work disability, indicated by sickness absence and disability retirement, among midlife public sector employees with and without common mental disorders (CMD) at baseline. We also examined adverse childhood events, occupational class, long-standing illness and health behaviour as determinants of the trajectories. A s le from the Helsinki Health Study was extracted comprising 2350 employees. Baseline characteristics were obtained from mail surveys conducted in 2000-2 and 2007. CMD were measured by the General Health Questionnaire. Participants were followed between the ages of 50-59. Work disability trajectories were modelled by the annual number of work disability months in group-based trajectory analysis. Multinomial regression was used to predict trajectory group memberships. Three trajectories were identified: no work disability (consisting 59% of the all employees), stable/low (31%) and high/increasing disability (10%). Employees with CMD were more likely to belong to the stable/low (odds ratio 1.73 [95% confidence interval 1.37-2.18]), and the high/increasing (2.55 [1.81-3.59]) trajectories. Stratified models showed that the determinants of the trajectories were largely similar for those with CMD compared to those without CMD except that obesity was a somewhat stronger predictor of the high/increasing trajectory among employees with CMD. The focus on midlife public sector employees limits the generalisability to other employment sectors and younger employees. CMD were strongly associated with a trajectory leading to early exit from employment and a stable/low work disability trajectory. These findings have implications for interventions promoting work ability of employees with mental ill-health.
The contribution of financial hardship, socioeconomic position and physical health to mental health problems among welfare recipients
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2013
How many children are exposed to at-risk parental gambling in Australia? Results from a representative national sample
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
The long-term mental health risk associated with non-heterosexual orientation
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-12-2016
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796016000962
Abstract: Findings that describe the mental health risk associated with non-heterosexual orientation in young and middle-aged adults are from cross-sectional designs or fail to discriminate homosexual and bisexual orientations. This study examines the mental health risk of homosexual and bisexual orientation over an 8-year period. Participants were from the age-cohort study, the Personality and Total Health Through Life Project, were observed twice every 4 years, and aged 20–24 ( n = 2353) and 40–44 ( n = 2499) at baseline. Homosexual orientation was unrelated to long-term depression risk. Risk for anxiety and depression associated with homosexual and bisexual orientations, respectively, were attenuated in fully-adjusted models. Bisexual orientation risk associated with anxiety was partially attenuated in fully-adjusted models. Non-heterosexual orientation was not a major risk factor for long-term mental health outcomes. Instead, those with a non-heterosexual orientation were more likely to experience other mental health risk factors, which explain most of the risk observed amongst those with a non-heterosexual orientation.
Between- and Within-Individual Effects of Visual Contrast Sensitivity on Perceptual Matching, Processing Speed, and Associative Memory in Older Adults
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1159/000090958
Abstract: i Background: /i Although cross-sectional studies have demonstrated associations between visual contrast sensitivity and cognitive test performance, it remains unclear whether peripheral visual or perceptual factors explain the association. i Objective: /i We aimed at determining whether reducing static contrast of the study stimuli would simulate the performance deficits on measures of processing speed and associative memory that are associated with aging. i Methods: /i We investigated the mechanism by which vision and memory are associated in a s le of 91 volunteers aged 60–87 years. In tests of perceptual matching, digit-symbol matching, and associative memory, the level of static contrast of the stimuli was manipulated, with three contrast levels. The duration of stimuli presentation was also manipulated in the associative memory task in a full-factorial experimental design. Accuracy and response latencies (for correct trials) were measured. i Results: /i Experimental results showed that within subjects, lower contrast was associated with longer latencies, indicating an effect on information processing speed. Regression analyses replicated previous findings of a moderate to strong association between visual contrast sensitivity and cognitive performance in cross-sectional studies. i Conclusion: /i These results provide support for a theory in which visual aging is associated with slower encoding of information as well as being involved at a more central level.
Indigenous Australians are under-represented in longitudinal ageing studies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2011.00727.X
Abstract: Evidence-based policy depends on the availability of high-quality research that is relevant to the population. This study aimed to identify the available data on the health of older Indigenous Australians in population-based longitudinal studies of ageing. Evaluation of the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing Project (DYNOPTA) dataset that has pooled nine Australian longitudinal ageing studies, six of which were analysed here. Proportions of the DYNOPTA s le identified as Indigenous. Indigenous participants made up 0.7% of males and 0.5% of females in the weighted s le, compared with 0.8% of both sexes in the Australian population. Indigenous under-representation is greater at ages 45-54 than at older ages, despite overall greater participation in this age range. Within the existing Australian longitudinal ageing studies, Indigenous Australians are under-represented. This means there is a significant gap in the evidence base relating to the health of older Indigenous Australians. Research approaches specifically designed to address the health and wellbeing of older Indigenous Australians are urgently required.
Antidepressant use and its relationship with current symptoms in a population-based sample of older Australians
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2019.07.067
Abstract: Australia has the second highest per capita users of antidepressants globally, and their use is pronounced in older Australians. A better understanding of antidepressant use in older adults is important because the elderly are often prescribed multiple drugs, without review, for long periods. This study analysed questionnaire data obtained from the Personality and Total Health through life project. In idual respondent data was linked to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) records. Associations between self-reported medicine use and current symptoms with antidepressant dispensing were examined. 1275 participants aged over 65 were included in the final analysis. One hundred and forty-six (11.5%) participants were dispensed an antidepressant within the specified timeframe. Of those, 38.4% self-reported that they use medicine for depression, 12.3% for anxiety, 17.8% for both depression and anxiety, 6.2% for sleep problems and 3.4% for pain. One fifth of those dispensed an antidepressant did not self-report use of the medicine. Being female or reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety or suicidality were significant predictors of being on an antidepressant. Increasing pain severity was also associated with increased likelihood of being on an antidepressant. We have presented a cross-sectional analysis, which can only provide associations between current symptoms and medicine use. We have only assessed respondents who received their scripts with PBS concession, which limits generalizability. Our analysis highlights the high use of antidepressants in the elderly for various reasons. Our findings also uncovered a high amount of under-reporting of antidepressant use by respondents.
Sequencing trade and monetary integration: Issues and application to Asia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2005
Longitudinal patterns of amphetamine use from adolescence to adulthood: A latent class analysis of a 20-year prospective study of Australians
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2018.08.042
Abstract: To examine the longitudinal patterns of hetamine use over twenty years from adolescence to the mid-thirties and identify adolescent antecedents of future problematic patterns of use. Ten-wave longitudinal study following participants from age 15 to age 35 in Victoria, Australia. Participants (N = 1755 47% males) first enrolled in the Victoria Adolescent Health Cohort Study in 1992. Outcome: Self-reported frequency of hetamine use. Gender, depression and anxiety, peer alcohol and tobacco use self-reported alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use, self-reported adolescent antisocial behavior. Three different longitudinal patterns were identified: Non-user (83.7%) Occasional user (14.5%) Regular user (1.8%). Among the two user patterns, hetamine use was commonly initiated in late teenage years or early 20s, peaked at mid-20s, and declined substantially by mid-30s. Participants who used cannabis and had smoking peers during adolescence were at significantly more likely to become an occasional or regular user (p < .05). Regular cannabis use and peer tobacco use during adolescence were the two strongest predictors of a longitudinal pattern of regular hetamine use in the mid-30s. This suggests that prevention programs could be implemented around or before mid-adolescence and interventions to reduce hetamine harms focus on high-risk in iduals in their 20s when hetamine use was at its peak.
The Role of Perceived Control in Explaining Depressive Symptoms Associated With Driving Cessation in a Longitudinal Study
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-2007
Abstract: The purpose of this article was to investigate the role of control beliefs in mediating the relationship between driving cessation and change in depressive symptoms in a population-based s le of older adults. We report results from a prospective, community-based cohort study that included two waves of data collected in 1992 and 1994. Participants consisted of 700 men and women aged 70 and older, including 647 drivers and 53 participants who ceased driving between baseline (1992) and follow-up (1994). Participants took part in interviews that included assessments of driving status, sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated health, sensory function, depressive symptoms (through the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale), and expectancy of control. Using multilevel general linear models, we examined the extent to which driving status, expectancy of control, and relevant covariates explained change in depressive-symptom scores between baseline and follow-up. Driving cessation was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up. The higher depressive-symptom scores of ceased drivers relative to those of in iduals who remained drivers at both waves was partly explained by a corresponding decrease in the sense of control among ceased drivers, and increased control beliefs among drivers. Interventions aimed at promoting the maintenance of personal agency and associated control beliefs could be protective against the negative psychological concomitants of driving cessation.
Multiple imputation was an efficient method for harmonizing the Mini-Mental State Examination with missing item-level data
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2010.10.011
Abstract: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is used to estimate current cognitive status and as a screen for possible dementia. Missing item-level data are commonly reported. Attention to missing data is particularly important. However, there are concerns that common procedures for dealing with missing data, for ex le, listwise deletion and mean item substitution, are inadequate. We used multiple imputation (MI) to estimate missing MMSE data in 17,303 participants who were drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimize Aging project, a harmonization project of nine Australian longitudinal studies of aging. Our results indicated differences in mean MMSE scores between those participants with and without missing data, a pattern consistent over age and gender levels. MI inflated MMSE scores, but differences between those imputed and those without missing data still existed. A simulation model supported the efficacy of MI to estimate missing item level, although serious decrements in estimation occurred when 50% or more of item-level data were missing, particularly for the oldest participants. Our adaptation of MI to obtain a probable estimate for missing MMSE item level data provides a suitable method when the proportion of missing item-level data is not excessive.
Stability and change in level of probable depression and depressive symptoms in a sample of middle and older-aged adults
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 20-08-2012
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610212001470
Abstract: Background: Findings from studies investigating depression in adults in late life are mixed due to a lack of large longitudinal studies with the power necessary to yield reliable estimates of stability or change. We examined the long-term stability of probable depression and depressive symptomology over a 13-year period in the Dynamic Analyses to Optimize Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. Methods: Community-living participants ( N = 35,200) were aged 45–103 at baseline, predominantly female (79%), partnered (73%), and educated to secondary school only (61%) and followed for up to 13 years. Results: At baseline, increased age was associated with lower prevalence of probable depression and depressive symptomology. Over time, prevalence of probable depression was stable while levels of depressive symptomology reported a small decline. However, this finding was not consistent for all age groups there was evidence for increasing levels of depressive symptomology, but not probable depression, as in iduals aged. This effect was particularly notable among males aged 70 plus years. Conclusions: These results answer important questions relating to the longitudinal prevalence of probable depression and depressive symptomology in a s le of older Australians. These findings have policy implications for mental health service provision for older adults.
News media representations of people receiving income support and the production of stigma power: An empirical analysis of reporting on two Australian welfare payments
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-02-2022
DOI: 10.1177/02610183211073945
Abstract: People receiving working-age income support payments are often stigmatised as morally and/or behaviourally deficient. We consider the role of the media, as a potential source of structural stigma, in perpetuating negative characterisations of people in receipt of either the Disability Support Pension (DSP) or unemployment benefits (Newstart) during a major period of welfare reform in Australia. Newspaper articles (N = 8290) that appeared in Australia’s five largest newspapers between 2001 and 2016, and referenced either payment were analysed. We found an increased use of fraud language associated with the DSP, which coincides with increased political and policy focus on this payment. We conclude that in a period of increasing political concern with welfare reform, media coverage of welfare recipients is a form of stigma power, acting discursively as symbolic violence.
Unemployment, Employability and COVID19: How the Global Socioeconomic Shock Challenged Negative Perceptions Toward the Less Fortunate in the Australian Context
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 15-10-2020
Mental health problems and marital disruption: is it the combination of husbands and wives’ mental health problems that predicts later divorce?
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-05-2008
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-008-0366-5
Abstract: Divorce has been established as an adverse social consequence of mental illness. There is, however, little research that has considered how the mental health of both spouses may interact to predict relationship disruption. The aim of the current study was to use data from a large population-based survey to examine whether the combination of spouses' mental health problems predicts subsequent marital dissolution. Prospective analysis of data from a longitudinal national household survey. 3,230 couples were tracked over 36 months, with logistic regression models used to determine whether the mental health problems of both spouses at wave 1 (determined by the SF36 mental health subscale) predicted subsequent relationship dissolution. Couples in which either men or women reported mental health problems had higher rates of marital disruption than couples in which neither spouse experienced mental health problems. For couples in which both spouses reported mental health problems, rates of marital disruption reflected the additive combination of each spouse's separate risk. Importantly, these couples showed no evidence of a multiplicative effect of mental illness on rates of subsequent orce or separation. The results do not support the notion that a combination of mental health problems in both spouses uniquely predicts marital dissolution. Rather, there is an additive effect of in idual mental health problems on the risk of dissolution.
The psychosocial quality of work determines whether employment has benefits for mental health: Results from a longitudinal national household panel survey
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 14-03-2011
Abstract: Although employment is associated with health benefits over unemployment, the psychosocial characteristics of work also influence health. We used longitudinal data to investigate whether the benefits of having a job depend on its psychosocial quality (levels of control, demands and complexity, job insecurity, and unfair pay), and whether poor quality jobs are associated with better mental health than unemployment. Analysis of seven waves of data from 7,155 respondents of working age (44,019 observations) from a national household panel survey. Longitudinal regression models evaluated the concurrent and prospective association between employment circumstances (unemployment and employment in jobs varying in psychosocial job quality) and mental health, assessed by the MHI-5. Overall, unemployed respondents had poorer mental health than those who were employed. However the mental health of those who were unemployed was comparable or superior to those in jobs of the poorest psychosocial quality. This pattern was evident in prospective models: those in the poorest quality jobs showed greater decline in mental health than those who were unemployed (B = 3.03, p<0.05). The health benefits of becoming employed were dependent on the quality of the job. Moving from unemployment into a high quality job led to improved mental health (mean change score of +3.3), however the transition from unemployment to a poor quality job was more detrimental to mental health than remaining unemployed (-5.6 vs -1.0). Work of poor psychosocial quality does not bestow the same mental health benefits as employment in jobs with high psychosocial quality.
Within-Person Associations Between Financial Hardship and Cognitive Performance in the PATH Through Life Study
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-03-2019
DOI: 10.1093/AJE/KWZ051
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the within-person associations between the experience of financial hardship and cognitive performance throughout adulthood. Three waves of data provided by 6,343 participants (49% men) were analyzed from a representative community-based s le from Canberra, Australia (2003–2015). The outcome was a composite measure reflecting fluid cognitive abilities. Financial hardship was assessed by markers of scarcity (being unable to heat the home, missing meals, and going without other basic needs) and behavioral responses to hardship (pawning items and seeking help from community welfare organizations). Multivariable-adjusted fixed-effect regression models for panel data with robust standard errors tested time-dependent associations between measures of financial hardship and fluid cognitive abilities. Declines in cognitive performance coincided with the experience of scarcity (β = −0.07 standard error, 0.018). There was no association between behavioral responses to hardship and cognitive performance, and there was no difference in the associations across age cohorts or by sex. There was no evidence that mastery or mental health attenuated the time-dependent link between hardship and cognition. This study provides new evidence that the onset (shock) of financial hardship is a potent stressor associated with occasion-specific deficits in fluid cognitive abilities.
Concordance in the mental health of spouses: analysis of a large national household panel survey
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 12-12-2005
The impact of suicidality on health-related quality of life: A latent growth curve analysis of community-based data
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2016.05.067
Abstract: The subjective burden of suicidality on mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains to be examined. Eight-year trajectories of mental and physical components of HRQoL were compared for suicidal and non-suicidal participants at baseline. The effect of poor mental and/or physical HRQoL on subsequent suicidality was also investigated. Randomly-selected community data (W1=7485 W2=6715 W3=6133) were analysed with multivariate latent growth curve (LGC) and logistic regression models. Adjusted LGC modelling identified that baseline ideation was associated with poorer mental, but better physical HRQoL at baseline (b=-3.93, 95% CI=-4.75 to -3.12 b=1.38, 95% CI=0.53-2.23, respectively). However, ideation was associated with a declining physical HRQoL trajectory over 8 subsequent years (b=-0.88, 95% CI=-1.42 to -0.35). Poorer mental HRQoL was associated with higher odds of ideation onset (OR=0.98, 95% CI=0.96-0.99). Frequency of data collection was four-yearly, while suicidality was reported for the previous 12-months analyses did not control for physical health problems at baseline, baseline depression may have influenced physical QoL suicidality was assessed with binary measures and, prior analyses of attrition over time showed those with poorer health were less likely to continue participating in the study. Suicidality has differential longitudinal effects on mental and physical HRQoL. Findings emphasise the considerable subjective HRQoL burden upon suicidal in iduals. HRQoL may be useful to compare relative social and economical impacts.
Examination of the association between mental health, morbidity, and mortality in late life: findings from longitudinal community surveys
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 23-09-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610214002051
Abstract: Physical health has been demonstrated to mediate the mental health and mortality risk association. The current study examines an alternative hypothesis that mental health mediates the effect of physical health on mortality risk. Participants ( N = 14,019 women = 91%), including eventual decedents ( n = 3,752), were aged 70 years and older, and drawn from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. Participants were observed on two to four occasions, over a 10-year period. Mediation analysis compared the converse mediation of physical and mental health on mortality risk. For men, neither physical nor mental health was associated with mortality risk. For women, poor mental health reported only a small effect on mortality risk (Hazard Risk (HR) = 1.01 p 0.001) more substantive was the risk of low physical health (HR = 1.04 p 0.001). No mediation effects were observed. Mental health effects on mortality were fully attenuated by physical health in men, and partially so in women. Neither mental nor physical health mediated the effect of each other on mortality risk for either gender. We conclude that physical health is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than mental health.
Retirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-being
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2005.07.013
Abstract: Nation-wide research on mental health problems amongst men and women during the transition from employment to retirement is limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between retirement and mental health across older adulthood, whilst considering age and known risk factors for mental disorders. Data were from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, a cross-sectional survey of 10,641 Australian adults. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was analysed in the sub-s le of men (n = 1928) and women (n = 2261) aged 45-74 years. Mental health was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument. Additional measures were used to assess respondents' physical health, demographic and personal characteristics. The prevalence of common mental disorders diminished across increasing age groups of men and women. Women aged 55-59, 65-69, and 70-74 had significantly lower rates of mental disorders than those aged 45-49. In contrast, only men aged 65-69 and 70-74 demonstrated significantly lower prevalence compared with men aged 45-49. Amongst younger men, retirees were significantly more likely to have a common mental disorder relative to men still in the labour force however, this was not the case for retired men of, or nearing, the traditional retirement age of 65. Men and women with poor physical health were also more likely to have a diagnosable mental disorder. The findings of this study indicate that, for men, the relationship between retirement and mental health varies with age. The poorer mental health of men who retire early is not explained by usual risk factors. Given current policy changes in many countries to curtail early retirement, these findings highlight the need to consider mental health, and its influencing factors, when encouraging continued employment amongst older adults.
European crises and the Asian economies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2014
Mental health in the suburbs: An investigation of differences in the prevalence of depression across Canberra suburbs using data from the PATH Through Life Study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-12-2012
Is the prevalence of mental illness increasing in Australia? Evidence from national health surveys and administrative data, 2001–2014
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.5694/MJA16.00295
Abstract: To assess changes in the prevalence rates of probable common mental disorders (CMDs) and in rates of disability support pensions (DSPs) for people with psychiatric disorders in Australia between 2001 and 2014. Secondary analysis of data from five successive Australian national health surveys of representative s les of the working age population (18-65 years of age) and national data on DSP recipients. Prevalence of probable CMDs with very high symptom level (defined by a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] score of 30 or more) or with high symptom level (K10 score of 22 or more) the proportion of working age Australians receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions. There was no change in the prevalence rate of probable CMDs with very high symptom levels between 2001 and 2014, but a slight decrease in the prevalence of probable CMDs with high symptoms levels, particularly among those under 45 years of age. Over the same period, the proportion of working age in iduals receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased by 51% (for trend, P < 0.001), equivalent to one additional DSP for every 182 working age Australians. Contrary to popular belief, the prevalence of probable CMDs in Australia was stable between 2001 and 2014. However, the proportion of the working age population receiving DSPs for psychiatric conditions increased dramatically over the same period. This conundrum is a major public health problem that should be further examined.
Shift work and mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-05-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S00420-019-01434-3
Abstract: Shift work is common. However, research findings are mixed regarding the impact of shift work on mental health. This systematic review sought to provide a comprehensive summary of existing research examining the association between different types of shift work and mental health. The review included large-scale, non-occupation-specific research. Four electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and SCOPUS were searched to identify studies that reported on the statistical association between shift work and mental health and that used population-based s les. Two reviewers extracted information about study characteristics and data on the association between shift work and mental health. A meta-analysis was performed for longitudinal studies adopting a 'broad binary' measure of shift work. Thirty-three studies were included in the final review-10 cross-sectional studies, 22 longitudinal studies, and 1 study that included both. Findings were grouped based on whether the measure of shift work focussed on: (1) night/evening work, (2) weekend work, (3) irregular/unpredictable work schedule, or (4) a broad binary measure. There was a reasonable level of evidence that overall, when a broad binary measure was adopted, shift work was associated with poorer mental health-this finding was supported by the meta-analysis results. There was also some evidence that irregular/unpredictable work was associated with poorer mental health. There was less evidence for night/evening and minimal evidence for weekend work. Inconsistencies in study methodology, limited contrasting and combining the results. The association between shift work and mental health is different across types of shift work. The evidence is strongest for a broad binary, general measure of shift work and for irregular or unpredictable shift work. There is a need for continued research that adopts consistent and clear measures of shift work.
Examining welfare receipt and mental disorders after a decade of reform and prosperity: analysis of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.3109/00048674.2010.522555
Abstract: Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of mental disorders among Australian income support recipients in 2007, and to evaluate whether this has changed over the past 10 years. Methods: Analysis of data from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB), a nationally representative survey of 8841 community-dwelling residents. The data were used to estimate and classify those working-age survey respondents who were income support recipients into categories reflecting major payment types, and to estimate the 12-month prevalence of affective, anxiety and substance use disorders. Data from the 1997 NSMHWB were also used for comparison. Results: The 12-month prevalence of mental disorders among working-age recipients was 34% compared to 20% for non-recipients. Rates of mental disorders were elevated among all categories of income support recipients, including the unemployed, lone parents, partnered parents, and those classified as receiving disability payments. There were limited differences between the results from the two surveys. A marked increase in the prevalence of mental disorders in partnered parent recipients (from 21% in 1997 to 39% in 2007) seemed due to methodological differences in the estimation of income support categories and likely reflected greater accuracy of the 2007 estimate. Conclusions: Income support recipients are much more likely to experience mental disorders than those not receiving payments and there has been little change in the strength of the association between income support receipt and mental disorders over the past decade. Mental disorders represent a substantial barrier to work, community engagement and social participation. A greater focus on mental health in the design and delivery of social policy and services may be an appropriate strategy to promote more positive outcomes in areas such as welfare, employment and social inclusion.
The value of comparing health outcomes in cohort studies: An example of self-rated health in seven studies including 79 653 participants
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-11-2007
The global financial crisis and psychological health in a sample of Australian older adults: A longitudinal study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2011.06.063
Abstract: Economic stress and uncertainty is argued to increase older adults' vulnerability to physical health decline and mental distress. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research that examines the relationship between a large historical economic event, such as the recent global financial crisis (GFC), and health outcomes for older adults. This study provides a unique opportunity to compare self-reported health status and psychological functioning (number of depression and anxiety symptoms) in 1973 older Australian adults (mean age of 66.58 years (SD = 1.5)) prior to the GFC (2005-2006), with their status four years later during the GFC period (2009-2010). Latent difference score models revealed a significant difference in depression and anxiety symptoms over the two measurement occasions, indicating poorer psychological functioning for those who reported an impact as a result of the economic slowdown. These effects were not explained by demographic or socio-economic factors. Interaction effects showed that those participants who were surveyed within the acute salience period of the GFC (April to September 2009) were significantly less likely to report poorer psychological health over time compared to those who were surveyed after September 2009. This interesting timing effect is discussed in terms of potential time-lags in the negative effects of economic stress on health outcomes, as well as the possible protective effects of social norms that may be created by a large scale economic crisis.
Erratum: Equivalency of the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-8 and PHQ-9: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis (Journal of Physical Chemistry (2019) DOI: 10.1017/S0033291719001314)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 19-08-2019
Does psychological distress directly increase risk of incident cardiovascular disease? Evidence from a prospective cohort study using a longer-term measure of distress
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-039628
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence is elevated among people with psychological distress. However, whether the relationship is causal is unclear, partly due to methodological limitations, including limited evidence relating to longer-term rather than single time-point measures of distress. We compared CVD relative risks for psychological distress using single time-point and multi-time-point assessments using data from a large-scale cohort study. We used questionnaire data, with data collection at two time-points (time 1: between 2006 and 2009 time 2: between 2010 and 2015), from CVD-free and cancer-free 45 and Up Study participants, linked to hospitalisation and death records. The follow-up period began at time 2 and ended on 30 November 2017. Psychological distress was measured at both time-points using Kessler 10 (K10), allowing assessment of single time-point (at time 2: high (K10 score: 22–50) vs low (K10 score: )) and multi-time-point (high distress (K10 score: 22–50) at both time-points vs low distress (K10 score: ) at both time-points) measures of distress. Cox regression quantified the association between distress and major CVD, with and without adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, including functional limitations. Among 83 906 respondents, 7350 CVD events occurred over 410 719 follow-up person-years (rate: 17.9 per 1000 person-years). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted rates of major CVD were elevated by 50%–60% among those with high versus low distress for both the multi-time-point (HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.90) and single time-point (HR=1.53, 95% CI 1.39 to 1.69) assessments. HRs for both measures of distress attenuated with adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, and there was little evidence of an association when functional limitations were taken into account (multi-time-point HR=1.09, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.27 single time-point HR=1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26). Irrespective of whether a single time-point or multi-time-point measure is used, the distress–CVD relationship is substantively explained by sociodemographic characteristics and pre-existing physical health-related factors.
Personal factors influence use of cervical cancer screening services: Epidemiological survey and linked administrative data address the limitations of previous research
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-02-2012
Normative data and longitudinal invariance of the Life Engagement Test (LET) in a community sample of older adults
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-03-2013
DOI: 10.1007/S11136-012-0146-2
Abstract: Interest in evaluating purpose in life as an important component of ageing well is growing however, investigation into the appropriate measurement of this construct is required. The purpose of this paper was to examine the measurement properties of the Life Engagement Test (LET) and to provide normative data for a non-clinical s le of community-dwelling older adults. A random s le of 545 adults, aged 55-94 years, completed the LET twice over a 12-month period as part of a larger survey on relocation in later life. Consistent with previous research, participants typically reported high levels of purpose in life. Scores were also observed to vary over the 12-month duration, with, on average, an increase in purpose in life at Time 2. However, tests of longitudinal invariance were inconclusive. Future research is needed to further examine the content validity of the LET, and its factorial invariance over longer measurement intervals, and across different populations including non-residential/aged care settings.
The association between financial hardship and amygdala and hippocampal volumes: Results from the PATH through life project
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-05-2012
DOI: 10.1093/SCAN/NSR027
Private health insurance, mental health and service use in Australia
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-01-2012
Abstract: Objective: To report on the private health insurance (PHI) status of in iduals with and without a mental health problem, and examine whether PHI status is associated with access to psychological services. Methods: This is a descriptive study of nationally representative population-based data collected in 2009 (HILDA) with participants aged 15–93 ( n = 13,301). Key measures included: PHI status (categorised as ‘hospital cover only’, ‘extras cover only’, or ‘both hospital and extras cover’) mental health status (categorised as ‘have a mental health problem’ or ‘do not have a mental health problem’ using the Mental Health Index (MHI) of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form) mental health service use (access to a mental health professional (psychologist sychiatrist) in the past 12 months categorised as ‘yes’ or ‘no’). Results: In iduals with a mental health problem were less likely to have PHI than those without a mental health problem. However, PHI was not associated with access to a mental health professional in the past 12 months. Conclusions: The findings suggest that while the discrepancy in PHI status is a marker of inequity between those with and without a mental health problem, it is not a key factor in facilitating access to mental health services.
Cohort profile: The PATH through life project
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 24-02-2012
DOI: 10.1093/IJE/DYR025
Role of Physical Activity in the Relationship Between Mastery and Functional Health
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-05-2014
Abstract: To examine the influence of mastery, physical activity levels, and subsequent trajectories of domains of functional health across the adult life course. We examined 8-year trajectories of physical functioning (handgrip strength) and functional health (physical [RAND PHC12], psychological [RAND MHC12], and cognitive [processing speed]) in a large Australian s le (n = 7,485 at baseline) of 3 cohorts (20–24, 40–44, and 60–64 years). Within- and between-person indirect effects of physical activity on the relationship between mastery and health were examined using multilevel structural equation models. Mastery was positively related to within-person change in physical and psychological health for all cohorts, and processing speed for the 60s. Between-person mastery was positively associated with all health domains across all cohorts. Physical activity indirectly influenced the between-person relationships between mastery and handgrip strength, physical health, and psychological health in all cohorts, and between mastery and processing speed for the 60s. Psychological resources are important mechanisms for functional health as they may drive adaptive behaviors such as physical activity. The within-person association connecting mastery with physical and psychological health trajectories provides promise for interventions that foster or improve a sense of mastery. The findings contribute to the understanding of complex relationships between personal resources and behaviors that aid in successful aging across the life span.
The financial sector and the future of capitalism
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Mental health and the timing of Men's retirement
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-04-2006
DOI: 10.1007/S00127-006-0064-0
Abstract: Analysis of the Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of Great Britain showed that the prevalence of common mental disorders was lower amongst men at or above Britain's state pension age of 65, relative to younger men. Retirees below this age had consistently higher rates of mental disorders than working men. In contrast, the low prevalence of mental disorders amongst retirees aged 65 and older was similar to that of their working peers. The aim of this analysis was to investigate this pattern of results in a national s le of Australian men, and the mediating role of socio-demographic factors. Data were from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) in Australia survey (2003). The analyses included men aged 45-74 years who were active in the labour force (n = 1309), or retired (n = 635). Mental health was assessed using the mental health scale from the Short-Form 36 Health Questionnaire. Retirees were more likely to have mental health problems than their working peers, however this difference was progressively smaller across age groups. For retirees above, though not below, the age of 55 this difference was explained by poorer physical functioning. When age at retirement was considered it was found that early retirees who were now at or approaching the conventional retirement age did not display the substantially elevated rates of mental health problems seen in their younger counterparts. Further, men who had retired at age 60 or older did not display an initially elevated rate of mental health problems. The association between retirement and mental health varies across older adulthood. Retired British and Australian men below the conventional retirement age of 65 are more likely to have mental health problems relative to their working peers, and retirees above this age. However, poor mental health appears to be linked to being retired below this age rather than an enduring characteristic of those who retire early.
Memory complaints in a community sample aged 60-64 years: associations with cognitive functioning, psychiatric symptoms, medical conditions, APOE genotype, hippocampus and amygdala volumes, and white-matter hyperintensities.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-2004
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291704003162
Abstract: Background. Previous research has found that depression is a major cause of memory complaints. However, there is evidence that memory complaints also weakly predict cognitive decline and dementia. The present study examined a range of possible determinants of memory complaints, covering psychiatric and personality factors, medical history, cognitive test performance, and biological risk factors for dementia (APOE genotype, hippoc us and amygdala volumes, and white-matter hyperintensities). Method. A community survey was carried out with 2546 persons aged 60–64 years living in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia. Participants were asked about memory problems which interfered with daily life and whether medical help had been sought. A randomly selected subs le of 476 persons was given a brain MRI scan. Results. Participants with memory complaints were found to have poorer memory test performance, more depression and anxiety symptoms, have higher scores on personality traits involving negative affect, and to have worse physical health. Multivariate analyses showed that measures of cognitive performance did not make a unique contribution to the prediction of memory complaints above that of the other categories of predictors. Those with memory complaints did not differ on any of the biological risk factors for dementia. Conclusion. In a community s le aged 60–64 years, memory complaints were most closely related to psychiatric symptoms, personality characteristics and poor physical health. There was no evidence of brain changes indicating early dementia.
The effect of early onset common mental disorders on educational attainment in Australia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.PSYCHRES.2012.03.040
Abstract: Early onset mental disorders may lead to the early termination of education and thereby have long term adverse social and economic consequences on outcomes such as employment and financial security. This issue is important to address as governments seek to develop new ways to minimise the impacts of mental health problems and maximise workforce participation. The current investigation examines the impact of early onset affective, anxiety and substance use disorders on the early termination of secondary school education in Australia. The analyses used data from those aged between 20 and 34 in the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) (n=2055). The NSMHWB is a population based survey administered by the Australian Bureau of Statics and included a WMH-CIDI 3.0 assessment to determine whether respondents met diagnostic criteria for any lifetime affective, anxiety, and/or substance use disorder as well as age of onset information. The results show that early onset mental disorders are significantly associated with the termination of secondary education in Australia, particularly early onset substance use disorders such as alcohol, cannabis and stimulant use. These disorders were most likely to disrupt completion in the middle years of high school (year 10 completion), in comparison to the final year 12 milestone. Policies and interventions promoting prevention and early intervention and offering educational support for young people with psychiatric illness and substance use problems, should intervene prior to the middle years of high school to help prevent adverse social and economic consequences.
Mental health affects future employment as job loss affects mental health: Findings from a longitudinal population study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-05-2013
Preface and acknowledgments
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Date: 28-04-2004
Introduction
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Date: 28-04-2004
Changing circumstances drive changing attendance: A longitudinal cohort study of time varying predictors of frequent attendance in primary health care
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPSYCHORES.2015.10.007
Abstract: To investigate risk factors for frequent attendance in primary care over time, contrasting models based on baseline and time-varying characteristics. Analysis of data from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project: a representative community cohort study from the Canberra region of Australia. A balanced s le of 1734 respondents, initially aged in their early 40s, were assessed on three occasions over 8 years. The survey assessed respondents' experience of chronic physical conditions, self-reported health, depression symptoms, personality, life events, socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported medication use. Survey data were linked to respondent's own administrative health service use data, and used to generate an objective measure of general practitioner (GP) consultations over a 12-month period. For each gender, respondents in the (approximate) highest decile of GP consultations at each time point were defined as frequent attenders (FAs). Analysis showed chronic health conditions, self- reported health, mental health and medication use measured at baseline was associated with FA status, with some gender differences evident. However taking into account of changing circumstances improved the model fit and the prediction over FA status over time. The study showed that there is considerable variability in frequent attender status over the study period. While baseline characteristics can predict current and future frequent attender status, it is clear that frequent attender in primary care does reflect changing circumstances over time.
A population survey found an association between self-reports of traumatic brain injury and increased psychiatric symptoms
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2004
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2003.11.011
Abstract: This study determined whether self-reported Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), identified in a community s le and occurring up to 60 years previously, is associated with current psychiatric symptoms, suicidality, and psychologic well-being. Three age cohorts (20-24, 40-44, 60-64) were randomly s led from the cities of Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, yielding a total of 7,485 participants. The s les were administered scales measuring anxiety, depression, suicidality, positive and negative affect, personality traits, and physical health status. Of the total s le, 5.7% reported history of TBI involving loss of consciousness for at least 15 min, occurring an average of 22 years previously. History of TBI was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, negative affect, and suicidal ideation. History of TBI is a risk factor for psychiatric morbidity. The effect is greatest in young adults, and occurs up to several decades subsequent to the occurrence of TBI.
Age and gender differences in the reciprocal relationship between social connectedness and mental health.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-10-2020
Have Asian trade agreements reduced trade costs?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2009
Retirement and the Sense of Control in Young-Old Adults: The Mediating Role of Engagement in Goal-Directed Activities
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.2190/HA.9.1.B
Symposium on Globalisation: Past, Present and Prospects: Introduction
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-10-2014
DOI: 10.1111/AEHR.12045
Factors associated with the timing and onset of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder: Results from the 2007 A ustralian N ational S urvey of M ental H
Publisher:
Wiley
Date:
09-2014
DOI:
10.1111/DAR.12183
Abstract: To investigate the predictors of both initiation of cannabis use and transition to cannabis use disorder (CUD) in a nationally representative s le using discrete-time survival analyses. Data from a nationally representative s le of 6935 Australian adults. Retrospective data on age of first cannabis use and onset of CUD were used to construct pseudo-longitudinal datasets and survival models used to evaluate factors associated with age of first use and time from first use to onset of CUD. The oldest cohort (born 1942-1951) had lower cannabis use than younger cohorts, with first use also occurring at an older age. Multivariable discrete-time survival models showed other substance use, tobacco and alcohol use at very young ages, and mental disorders were associated with increased risk of cannabis use. There were 7.5% of those <65 years old at interview who had a lifetime CUD mean time from first use to the onset of CUD was 3.3 years, with 90% of cases within eight years. Younger age of initiation and other substance use were strong predictors of the transition from use to CUD. Women with depression were more likely to develop a CUD social phobia and panic disorder were also associated with transition from cannabis use to CUD. Patterns of cannabis use differ across birth cohorts. There are multiple factors associated with use and transition to CUD, with other substance use a strong predictor. Mental disorders also predict initiation and progression to CUD.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12183
Abstract: To investigate the predictors of both initiation of cannabis use and transition to cannabis use disorder (CUD) in a nationally representative s le using discrete-time survival analyses. Data from a nationally representative s le of 6935 Australian adults. Retrospective data on age of first cannabis use and onset of CUD were used to construct pseudo-longitudinal datasets and survival models used to evaluate factors associated with age of first use and time from first use to onset of CUD. The oldest cohort (born 1942-1951) had lower cannabis use than younger cohorts, with first use also occurring at an older age. Multivariable discrete-time survival models showed other substance use, tobacco and alcohol use at very young ages, and mental disorders were associated with increased risk of cannabis use. There were 7.5% of those <65 years old at interview who had a lifetime CUD mean time from first use to the onset of CUD was 3.3 years, with 90% of cases within eight years. Younger age of initiation and other substance use were strong predictors of the transition from use to CUD. Women with depression were more likely to develop a CUD social phobia and panic disorder were also associated with transition from cannabis use to CUD. Patterns of cannabis use differ across birth cohorts. There are multiple factors associated with use and transition to CUD, with other substance use a strong predictor. Mental disorders also predict initiation and progression to CUD.
Expanding the Division of Labour: Trade Costs and Supply Chains in the Global Economy
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-10-2014
DOI: 10.1111/AEHR.12047
Lone mothers' experience of physical and sexual violence: association with psychiatric disorders
Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
Date: 2004
DOI: 10.1192/BJP.184.1.21
Abstract: Violence against women is increasingly recognised as an important issue in both research and social policy. To assess the lifetime experience of physical and sexual violence among lone and partnered mothers and the association with psychiatric disorders. Analysis of the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The representative s le included 2232 women with children who completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a scale of psychological distress and sociodemographic measures. Lone mothers were more likely to have psychiatric disorders (odds ratios between 2.4 and 3.4) and have experienced physical and sexual violence (odds ratios between 31 and 41) than partnered mothers. The measures of physical and sexual violence were better predictors of psychiatric disorders than either lone parent status or the sociodemographic measures. Experience of physical and sexual violence accounted for much of the greater prevalence of psychiatric disorders among lone compared with partnered mothers.
Estimating the sample mean and standard deviation from commonly reported quantiles in meta-analysis
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 30-01-2020
Abstract: Researchers increasingly use meta-analysis to synthesize the results of several studies in order to estimate a common effect. When the outcome variable is continuous, standard meta-analytic approaches assume that the primary studies report the s le mean and standard deviation of the outcome. However, when the outcome is skewed, authors sometimes summarize the data by reporting the s le median and one or both of (i) the minimum and maximum values and (ii) the first and third quartiles, but do not report the mean or standard deviation. To include these studies in meta-analysis, several methods have been developed to estimate the s le mean and standard deviation from the reported summary data. A major limitation of these widely used methods is that they assume that the outcome distribution is normal, which is unlikely to be tenable for studies reporting medians. We propose two novel approaches to estimate the s le mean and standard deviation when data are suspected to be non-normal. Our simulation results and empirical assessments show that the proposed methods often perform better than the existing methods when applied to non-normal data.
Conclusions
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Date: 28-04-2004
Within-person analysis of welfare transitions in a longitudinal panel survey reveals change in mental health service use
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 26-11-2016
Abstract: While international research shows that receipt of welfare benefits is associated with poor mental health, less is known about the relationship between welfare receipt and mental health service use. We investigate whether within-person change in welfare recipient status is associated with change in mental health service use. Analysis of two waves of data from an Australian national household survey. Random- and fixed-effect models considered the effect of change in welfare receipt status, and assessed whether change in mental health service use differed by type of welfare benefit or the direction of welfare transition. In iduals were more likely to report greater mental health service use at times of welfare receipt. These associations were attenuated, but remained significant, after adjusting for mental health. Increased health service use was not tied to specific types of welfare benefits. The increase in mental health service use associated with a transition onto welfare benefits was much greater than the decline in service use associated with the transition off benefits. Within in iduals, welfare receipt is associated with greater mental health service use. While this does reflect poorer mental health at the time of welfare receipt, other factors seem to facilitate health service use.
Trends in the Prevalence of Psychological Distress Over Time: Comparing Results From Longitudinal and Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-11-2020
DOI: 10.3389/FPSYT.2020.595696
Abstract: Background: While there is discussion of increasing rates of mental disorders, epidemiological research finds little evidence of change over time. This research generally compares cross-sectional surveys conducted at different times. Declining response rates to representative surveys may mask increases in mental disorders and psychological distress. Methods: Analysis of data from two large nationally representative surveys: repeated cross-sectional data from the Australian National Health Survey (NHS) series (2001–2017), and longitudinal data (2007–2017) from the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Data from each source was used to generate weighted national estimates of the prevalence of very high psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10). Results: Estimates of the prevalence of very high psychological distress from the NHS were stable between 2001 and 2014, with a modest increase in 2017. In contrast, the HILDA Survey data demonstrated an increasing trend over time, with the prevalence of very high distress rising from 4.8% in 2007 to 7.4% in 2017. This increase was present for both men and women, and was evident for younger and middle aged adults but not those aged 65 years or older. Sensitivity analyses showed that this increase was notable in the upper end of the K10 distribution. Conclusions: Using household panel data breaks the nexus between declining survey participation rates and time, and suggests the prevalence of very high psychological distress is increasing. The study identifies potential challenges in estimating trends in population mental health using repeated cross-sectional survey data.
Psychological distress and ischaemic heart disease: Cause or consequence? Evidence from a large prospective cohort study
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 19-09-2017
Abstract: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) incidence is elevated in people reporting psychological distress. The extent to which this relationship is causal or related to reverse causality-that is, undiagnosed disease causing distress-is unclear. We quantified the relationship between psychological distress and IHD, with consideration of confounding and undiagnosed disease. Questionnaire data (2006-2009) from 151 811 cardiovascular disease-free and cancer-free Australian general population members aged ≥45years (45 and Up Study) were linked to hospitalisation and mortality data, to December 2013. A two-stage approach estimated HRs for incident IHD (IHD-related hospitalisation or death) for low (Kessler-10 scores: 10-<12), mild (12-<16), moderate (16-<22) and high (22-50) psychological distress, adjusting for demographic and behavioural characteristics, and then restricting to those with no/minor functioning limitations (likely free from undiagnosed disease). Over 859 396 person-years, 5230 incident IHD events occurred (rate: 6.09/1000person-years). IHD risk was increased for mild (age-adjusted and sex-adjusted HR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.26), moderate (1.36, 1.25 to 1.47), and high (1.69, 1.52 to 1.88) versus low distress. HRs attenuated to 1.15 (1.08 to 1.22), 1.26 (1.16 to 1.37) and 1.41 (1.26 to 1.57) after adjustment for demographic and behavioural characteristics and were further attenuated by 35%-41% in those with no/minor limitations, leaving a significant but relatively weak dose-response relationship: 1.11 (1.02 to 1.20), 1.21 (1.08 to 1.37) and 1.24 (1.02 to 1.51) for mild, moderate and high versus low distress, respectively. The observed adjustment-related attenuation suggests measurement error/residual confounding likely contribute to the remaining association. A substantial part of the distress-IHD association is explained by confounding and functional limitations, an indicator of undiagnosed disease. Emphasis should be on psychological distress as a marker of healthcare need and IHD risk, rather than a causative factor.
Developing Prospective Measures of Adversity Among Australian Families with Young Children
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-08-2013
Regional integration in Central Asia
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-10-2009
Health or harm? A cohort study of the importance of job quality in extended workforce participation by older adults
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-08-2016
Are Negative Community Attitudes Toward Welfare Recipients Associated With Unemployment? Evidence From an Australian Cross-Sectional Sample and Longitudinal Cohort
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-07-2017
Abstract: Negative stereotyping and stigmatization of welfare recipients may account for the negative outcomes they experience. Much is known about the impact of stigma on welfare take-up, whereas much is hypothesized about the stigma–unemployment association. In two representative Australian s les, we show that in iduals previously exposed to unemployment benefits held negative attitudes to welfare recipients only when these reflected those of their community. Temporal patterns in the data suggest this could reflect an internalization of negative community attitudes. These stigmatizing negative attitudes were not associated with prior unemployment but were linked with current employment, future employment, and a return to employment among the previously unemployed. Community attitudes had no direct effect on employment outcomes. Thus, the effects observed may have an indirect path through the internalization of negative community attitudes. These findings underscore the importance of multilevel analyses of social stigma and highlight that welfare stigma may promote recovery from the underlying characteristic.
Mental Health
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-09-2021
Abstract: Mental health has been a focus of over 200 journal articles using the HILDA Survey data. This brief review provides an overview of the mental health data collected through the HILDA Survey, and discusses the potential reasons why HILDA Survey data have been used so frequently in mental health research. We reflect on how the HILDA Survey data have: provided insights into the profile of mental health in the Australian community, illustrated the importance of social ties for mental health and enabled investigation of social inequalities in mental health.
Midlife susceptibility to the effects of poor diet on diabetes risk
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-07-2020
Using Longitudinal Survey Data to Estimate Mental Health Related Transitions to a Disability Pension
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 04-2018
Resource abundance, governance and economic performance in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 21-08-2005
Shortening self-report mental health symptom measures through optimal test assembly methods: Development and validation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression-4
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 20-09-2018
DOI: 10.1002/DA.22841
Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms over time: Examining the relationships with socioeconomic position, health behaviours and cardiovascular risk
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 29-01-2014
Cumulative impact of high job demands, low job control and high job insecurity on midlife depression and anxiety: A prospective cohort study of Australian employees
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 18-11-2021
DOI: 10.1136/OEMED-2020-106840
Abstract: There is a lack of evidence concerning the prospective effect of cumulative exposure to psychosocial job stressors over time on mental ill-health. This study aimed to assess whether cumulative exposure to poor quality jobs places employees at risk of future common mental disorder. Data were from the Personality and Total Health Through Life project (n=1279, age 40–46 at baseline). Data reported on the cumulative exposure to multiple indicators of poor psychosocial job quality over time (ie, a combination of low control, high demands and high insecurity) and future common mental disorder (ie, depressive and/or anxiety symptom scores above a validated threshold) 12 years later. Data were analysed using logistic regression models and controlled for potential confounders across the lifespan. Cumulative exposure to poor-quality work (particularly more secure work) on multiple occasions elevated the risk of subsequent common mental disorder, independent of social, health, verbal intelligence and personality trait confounders (OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.59). Our findings show that cumulative exposure to poor psychosocial job quality over time independently predicts future common mental disorder—supporting the need for workplace interventions to prevent repeated exposure of poor quality work.
How the mental health of working parents in Australia changed during COVID-19: A pre- to during pandemic longitudinal comparison
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2023
Psychosocial adversities at work are associated with poorer quality marriage-like relationships
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-06-2012
DSM-5 and ICD-11 alcohol use disorder criteria in young adult regular drinkers: Lifetime prevalence and age of onset
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
The accuracy of self-reported physical activity questionnaires varies with sex and body mass index
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 11-08-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0256008
Abstract: Factors contributing to the accurate measurement of self-reported physical activity are not well understood in middle-aged adults. We investigated the associations between two self-reported surveys and objectively measured physical activity in middle-aged adults, and the influence of in idual and sociodemographic factors on these associations, at different intensities utilizing an observational study design. Participants (n = 156) wore a SenseWear Armband ™ (SWA) for a continuous seven-day period over the triceps of the left arm, to measure energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PAR) and Active Australia Survey (AAS). Associations were analyzed separately in general linear models for each intensity. The influence of in idual and sociodemographic factors was assessed through moderator analyses. The PAR and SWA were significantly positively associated at moderate (β = 0.68, 95% CI 0.16–1.20), vigorous (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.20–0.53), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.20–0.83), and total METmins (β = 0.63, 95% CI 0.35–0.90), the AAS and SWA were associated at all intensities (moderate (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.15–0.67), vigorous (β = 0.32, 95% CI 0.19–0.46), MVPA (β = 0.42, 95% CI 0.18–0.65) and total METmins (β = 0.62, 95% CI 0.29–0.96). A significant interaction between the PAR and sex for vigorous-intensity unveiled a weaker association in women. Both surveys tended to under-report physical activity. The largest margins of error were present at light and moderate intensities. For the PAR, participants reported over 20 hours, or 69% less light physical activity than recorded by the SWA per week. For the AAS, participants reported over 7 hours, or 38% less moderate physical activity. Compared to lighter intensities, time spent at a vigorous intensity was overreported by participants with the PAR and AAS by 91 and 43 minutes per week, respectively. The addition of Body Mass Index (BMI) resulted in non-significant interactions between the PAR and SWA for moderate-intensity, and the AAS and SWA for vigorous-intensity a significant interaction between AAS and BMI indicated that the strength of the association differed by BMI for vigorous-intensity. The PAR and AAS are not equivalent to the SWA, and sex and BMI may alter the associations between the measures.
Equivalency of the diagnostic accuracy of the PHQ-8 and PHQ-9: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 12-07-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291719001314
Abstract: Item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) queries about thoughts of death and self-harm, but not suicidality. Although it is sometimes used to assess suicide risk, most positive responses are not associated with suicidality. The PHQ-8, which omits Item 9, is thus increasingly used in research. We assessed equivalency of total score correlations and the diagnostic accuracy to detect major depression of the PHQ-8 and PHQ-9. We conducted an in idual patient data meta-analysis. We fit bivariate random-effects models to assess diagnostic accuracy. 16 742 participants (2097 major depression cases) from 54 studies were included. The correlation between PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 scores was 0.996 (95% confidence interval 0.996 to 0.996). The standard cutoff score of 10 for the PHQ-9 maximized sensitivity + specificity for the PHQ-8 among studies that used a semi-structured diagnostic interview reference standard ( N = 27). At cutoff 10, the PHQ-8 was less sensitive by 0.02 (−0.06 to 0.00) and more specific by 0.01 (0.00 to 0.01) among those studies ( N = 27), with similar results for studies that used other types of interviews ( N = 27). For all 54 primary studies combined, across all cutoffs, the PHQ-8 was less sensitive than the PHQ-9 by 0.00 to 0.05 (0.03 at cutoff 10), and specificity was within 0.01 for all cutoffs (0.00 to 0.01). PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 total scores were similar. Sensitivity may be minimally reduced with the PHQ-8, but specificity is similar.
The role of hardship in the association between socio-economic position and depression
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-01-2012
Abstract: Objective: It is well established that socio-economic position is associated with depression. The experience of financial hardship, having to go without the essentials of daily living due to limited financial resources, may explain the effect. However, there are few studies examining the link between financial hardship and diagnosable depression at a population level. The current paper addresses this gap and also evaluates the moderating effect of age. Method: Data were from 8841 participants aged 16–85 years in Australia’s 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The 12-month prevalence of depressive episode was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Measures of socio-economic position included: financial hardship, education, labour-force status, occupational skill, household income, main source of income, and area-level disadvantage. Results: Financial hardship was more strongly associated with depression than other socio-economic variables. Hardship was more strongly associated with current depression than with prior history of depression. The relative effect of hardship was strongest in late adulthood but the absolute effect of hardship was greatest in middle age. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the critical role of financial hardship in the association between socio-economic disadvantage and 12-month depressive episode, and suggest that social and economic policies that address inequalities in living standards may be an appropriate way to reduce the burden attributable to depression.
Behavioral approach and behavioral inhibition as moderators of the association between negative life events and perceived control in midlife
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2008
The prevalence of mental disorders among income support recipients: An important issue for welfare reform
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2003
DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2003.TB00424.X
Abstract: To estimate the prevalence of mental disorders and psychological distress among Australian income support recipients. Data from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were used to examine measures of mental health, disability and use of mental health services, comparing working-age people in receipt of government payments to those with other main sources of income. One-quarter of all income support recipients had experienced substantial levels of psychological distress during the previous four weeks and almost one in three had experienced a diagnosable mental disorder during the previous 12 months. Around 45% of unpartnered women with children in receipt of income support payments were identified with a mental disorder. In contrast, around 10% of people not receiving welfare reported substantial psychological distress and 19% had a diagnosable mental disorder. The prevalence of physical and mental disability was also greater among income support recipients. There was no difference in service use between recipients and non-recipients. Mental illness is a significant issue among income support recipients. The presence of a mental disorder is a substantial barrier to work and other forms of social participation. Mental health is an issue with relevance beyond the health portfolio, with implications for many domains of social policy and service delivery. Understanding and better assisting income support recipients with mental health problems will be important in welfare reform and in the introduction of a more active welfare system.
Intergenerational policy and workforce participation in Australia: Using health as a metric
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-07-2018
Abstract: Like many nations, population ageing is challenging Australia's economic future increasing the workforce participation of mothers and mature-aged adults are two policy strategies to address it. Drawing on a Health in All Policies (HiAPs) framework, our study aims to supply longitudinal evidence on connections between this policy strategy and health. Considering physical inactivity, poor mental health, overweight and obesity we estimate associations with the level of participation (not employed compared with part- or full-time employed). Using eight waves of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, a series of random intercept logistic models estimate the odds for mothers (n = 2105) and Australians aged 55-64 years (n = 3201) on each health outcome. We find that there are health benefits as well as risks linked to level of participation. Mothers who worked >20 h/wk had higher odds of physical inactivity, as did mature-aged Australians working either part - or full-time. Working part- or full-time was unrelated to overweight or obesity over the span of our study. Level of participation was unrelated to mental health among mature-age Australians, although part-time (but not full-time) work benefited mothers'. In terms of health, working more may offer mixed blessings to these two target populations part-time work appears to be optimal. By using health as a metric, our study adds to the case for a HiAPs approach.
Longitudinal associations between rumination and depressive symptoms in a probability sample of adults
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAD.2019.09.035
Abstract: According to the Response Styles Theory, rumination maintains and exacerbates depression. This study was conducted to examine the bidirectional longitudinal associations between rumination and depressive symptoms in a probability s le of Australian adults, evaluate the degree to which the strength of these longitudinal associations was moderated by gender, and test whether these longitudinal associations remained statistically significant when adjusting for the influence of demographic characteristics and neuroticism. A probability s le of Australian adults (N = 5891) completed self-report measures of rumination, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms at baseline and rumination and depressive symptoms at a four-year follow-up. Results from regression analyses indicated that rumination predicted residual change in depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms predicted residual change in rumination, suggesting that rumination and depressive symptoms influence one another in a bidirectional, recursive fashion. Gender was not a significant moderator of the longitudinal associations between rumination and depressive symptoms. Analyses including the covariates of age, gender, and neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by heightened negative emotionality, indicated that the bidirectional longitudinal associations between rumination and depressive symptoms were not explained by their shared association with demographic characteristics or neuroticism. Within-person analyses involving repeated assessments, shorter time intervals, and assessment of brooding rumination would provide a stronger test of the potential causal association between rumination and depressive symptoms. Study findings suggest that rumination may be both a potential risk factor for and a consequence of depressive symptoms in adults.
Factors distinguishing suicide attempters from suicide ideators in a community sample: social issues and physical health problems
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 31-05-2006
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291706007823
Abstract: Background. Few studies have focused on factors that uniquely distinguish suicide attempters from suicide ideators. This study assesses prevalence of suicide attempts among suicide ideators within a community s le explores demographics, employment status, mental and physical health conditions, personality, life stresses and social environment as factors that may distinguish these groups examines effects of age and gender upon suicide attempts and associated factors and investigates the increase in suicide attempts when multiple factors related to this behaviour are present. Method. Data were drawn from the PATH Through Life Project, a community survey of 7485 people in Canberra, Australia. A subs le of 522 suicide ideators were used for this study. Results. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with suicide attempts. Physical medical conditions (OR 1·95) and negative interactions with friends (OR 1·20) were associated with an increased likelihood of suicide attempts among suicide ideators. Age and gender interaction effects for suicide attempts were found involving physical medical condition and mastery among men (OR 3·78 and 0·83 respectively) and not being employed for those aged 40–44 years (OR 8·94). A cumulative effect was found when multiple factors associated with suicide attempts were present, and the probability of an attempt was significantly elevated. Conclusions. Factors distinguishing those who attempt suicide from suicide ideators involve being unemployed, physical ill health and relationship difficulties. Contrary to expectation, this study found that ideators and attempters experience comparable levels of depression and anxiety.
Early Onset of Distress Disorders and High-School Dropout: Prospective Evidence From a National Cohort of Australian Adolescents
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-11-2017
DOI: 10.1093/AJE/KWX353
Abstract: Prior research examining whether depression and anxiety lead to high-school dropout has been limited by a reliance on retrospective reports, the assessment of mental health at a single point in time (often remote from the time of high-school exit), and the omission of important measures of the social and familial environment. The present study addressed these limitations by analyzing 8 waves of longitudinal data from a cohort of Australian adolescents (n = 1,057) in the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey (2001-2008). Respondents were followed from the age of 15 years through completion of or exit from high school. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to assess whether the early experience of a distress disorder (indicated by scores <50 on the 5-item Mental Health Inventory from the Short Form Health Survey) predicted subsequent high-school dropout, after controlling for household and parental socioeconomic characteristics and for tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Adolescents with a prior distress disorder had twice the odds of high-school dropout compared with those without (odds ratio = 1.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 3.17). This association was somewhat attenuated but remained significant in models including tobacco and alcohol consumption (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.74 1.09, 2.78). These results suggest that improving the mental health of high-school students may promote better educational outcomes.
The Accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Algorithm for Screening to Detect Major Depression: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 08-10-2019
DOI: 10.1159/000502294
Abstract: b i Background: /i /b Screening for major depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) can be done using a cutoff or the PHQ-9 diagnostic algorithm. Many primary studies publish results for only one approach, and previous meta-analyses of the algorithm approach included only a subset of primary studies that collected data and could have published results. b i Objective: /i /b To use an in idual participant data meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of two PHQ-9 diagnostic algorithms for detecting major depression and compare accuracy between the algorithms and the standard PHQ-9 cutoff score of ≥10. b i Methods: /i /b Medline, Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, PsycINFO, Web of Science (January 1, 2000, to February 7, 2015). Eligible studies that classified current major depression status using a validated diagnostic interview. b i Results: /i /b Data were included for 54 of 72 identified eligible studies ( i n /i participants = 16,688, i n /i cases = 2,091). Among studies that used a semi-structured interview, pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) were 0.57 (0.49, 0.64) and 0.95 (0.94, 0.97) for the original algorithm and 0.61 (0.54, 0.68) and 0.95 (0.93, 0.96) for a modified algorithm. Algorithm sensitivity was 0.22–0.24 lower compared to fully structured interviews and 0.06–0.07 lower compared to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Specificity was similar across reference standards. For PHQ-9 cutoff of ≥10 compared to semi-structured interviews, sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) were 0.88 (0.82–0.92) and 0.86 (0.82–0.88). b i Conclusions: /i /b The cutoff score approach appears to be a better option than a PHQ-9 algorithm for detecting major depression.
Does disability status modify the association between psychosocial job quality and mental health? A longitudinal fixed-effects analysis
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2015.09.024
Abstract: People with disabilities have difficulties in obtaining work. However, evidence suggests that those with disabilities derive substantial mental health benefits from employment. This paper assesses how the relationship between work and mental health is influenced by psychosocial job quality for people working with a disability. The study design was a longitudinal cohort with 13 annual waves of data collection, yielding a s le of 122,883 observations from 21,848 people. Fixed-effects within-person regression was used to control for time invariant confounding. The Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) measure was used as the primary outcome measure. The main exposure was a six-category measure of psychosocial job quality and employment status (including 'not in the labour force' [NILF] and unemployment). Disability status ('no waves of disability reported' and 'all contributed waves with reported disability') was assessed as an effect modifier. We also conducted a secondary analysis on respondents contributing both disability and non-disability waves. For those with no disability, the greatest difference in mental health (compared to optimal employment) occurs when people have the poorest quality jobs (-2.12, 95% CI -2.48, -1.75, p < 0.001). The relative difference in mental health was less in relation to NILF and unemployment (-0.39 and -0.66 respectively). For those with consistent disability, the difference in mental health when employed in an optimal job was similar between the poorest quality jobs (-2.25, 95% CI -3.84, -0.65, p = 0.006), NILF (-2.84, 95% CI -4.49, -1.20, p = 0.001) or unemployment (-2.56, 95% CI -4.32, -0.80, p = 0.004). These results were confirmed by the secondary analysis. Efforts to improve psychosocial job quality may have significant mental health benefits for people with disabilities. This will contribute to the economic viability of disability employment insurance schemes in Australia and other high-income countries.
The persistence of welfare stigma: Does the passing of time and subsequent employment moderate the negative perceptions associated with unemployment benefit receipt?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-06-2019
DOI: 10.1111/JASP.12616
Parents' Shift Work in Connection with Work–Family Conflict and Mental Health: Examining the Pathways for Mothers and Fathers
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 13-06-2021
Abstract: Shift work might aggravate work–family conflict and mental health. The current study used moderated-mediation analyses to investigate the association between shift work and mental health, whether work–family conflict explained this association, and whether the pathways differed between genders. The s le included 756 mothers and 452 fathers participating in the “Families at Work” survey, an online nationwide community-based survey of employed parents. The findings highlight the complex interplay between parents' work schedules, work–family conflict and psychological distress. They show some evidence that working irregular shifts was associated with higher work–family conflict in connection with higher psychological distress, with fathers at greater risk. Working regular shifts was associated with poorer mental health, but this was not related to increased work–family conflict, and this association was stronger for mothers. As the labor force becomes increasingly fractured, it is critical that the impacts of non-standard work schedules continue to be considered.
Technology spillovers from foreign direct investment in Vietnam: Horizontal or vertical spillovers?
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-05-2011
Reorientation of trade, investment and migration
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: 08-10-2014
Regionalism in east asia: Why has it flourished since 2000 and how far will it go?
Publisher: WORLD SCIENTIFIC
Date: 11-2010
DOI: 10.1142/7715
The effects of working in a bullying climate on psychological distress and job satisfaction: a multilevel analysis
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-10-2022
Tactile Simultaneity Thresholds Within and Between Hemispheres: The Effects of Hemispace
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-1996
Common mental disorders, unemployment and psychosocial job quality: is a poor job better than no job at all?
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 22-11-2012
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291712002577
Abstract: Employment is associated with health benefits over unemployment, but the psychosocial characteristics of work also influence health. There has, however, been little research contrasting the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among people who are unemployed with those in jobs of differing psychosocial quality. Analysis of data from the English Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) considered the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) among 2603 respondents aged between 21 and 54 years who were either (i) employed or (ii) unemployed and looking for work at the time of interview in 2007. Quality of work was assessed by the number of adverse psychosocial job conditions reported (low control, high demands, insecurity and low job esteem). The prevalence of CMDs was similar for those respondents who were unemployed and those in the poorest quality jobs. This pattern remained after controlling for relevant demographic and socio-economic covariates. Although employment is thought to promote mental health and well-being, work of poor psychosocial quality is not associated with any better mental health than unemployment. Policy efforts to improve community mental health should consider psychosocial job quality in conjunction with efforts to increase employment rates.
Factors that Explain the Poorer Mental Health of Caregivers: Results from a Community Survey of Older Australians
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-2010
DOI: 10.3109/00048671003620202
Abstract: Objectives: To contrast the level of anxiety and depression reported by older Australians providing assistance to someone who is ill, disabled or elderly with that of non-caregivers and to identify secondary stressors and mediating factors which explain caregivers’ poorer mental health. Method: Analysis of data from wave 2 of the PATH Through Life Study, a community survey of 2,222 adults aged 64–69 years conducted in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia. Mental health was assessed using the Goldberg depression and anxiety scales. Analyses focused on those who identified themselves as a primary carer and/or reported providing care for more than 5 hours per week. Analyses evaluated whether the association between caregiver status and mental health was mediated by financial factors, role strain, physical health, and social support and conflict with family and friends after adjusting for demographics. Results: Caregivers reported significantly poorer mental health than non-caregivers, and also reported poorer physical health, greater financial stress, greater responsibility for household tasks, and more conflict and less social support from their family and spouse. Mediation analysis showed that the poorer mental health of caregivers reflected elevated rates of their own physical impairment, a lack of social support and greater conflict. Conclusions: The relationship between caregiving and mental health was largely explained by social support and levels of conflict within the family, which are modifiable and potentially amenable to change through policy and intervention. Research such as this can assist the development of appropriate interventions to improve the circumstances of informal caregivers in Australia.
Understanding ageing in older Australians: The contribution of the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project to the evidence base and policy
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-2011
Auditory verbal learning test components as measures of the severity of closed-head injury
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 1994
DOI: 10.3109/02699059409150992
Abstract: Auditory verbal learning and memory was assessed in 18 patients with moderate-severe closed-head injury (CHI). Compared to a matched control group, performance of the CHI subjects on all measures of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) was significantly worse. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 90% of subjects as CHI or control using the three most reliable measures of the AVLT. Retention of the learning list following the distractor trial varied with severity of injury as indexed by duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). The more severe the injury (longer PTA), the fewer words were recalled after interference (r = -0.72). Susceptibility of verbal memory to retroactive interference is sensitive to the presence and severity of CHI.
Why it's important for it to stop: Examining the mental health correlates of bullying and ill-treatment at work in a cohort study
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-07-2016
Abstract: There is limited Australian information on the prevalence and mental health consequences of bullying and ill-treatment at work. The aims of this study were to use data from an ongoing Australian longitudinal cohort study to (1) compare different measures of workplace bullying, (2) estimate the prevalence of bullying and ill-treatment at work, (3) evaluate whether workplace bullying is distinct from other adverse work characteristics and (4) examine the unique contribution of workplace bullying to common mental disorders in mid-life. The s le comprised 1466 participants (52% women) aged 52–58 from wave four of the Personality and Total Health (PATH) through Life study. Workplace bullying was assessed by a single item of self-labelling measure of bullying and a 15-item scale of bullying-related behaviours experienced in the past 6 months. Factor analysis the identified underlying factor structure of the behavioural bullying scale. Current bullying was reported by 7.0% of respondents, while 46.4% of respondents reported that they had been bullied at some point in their working life. Person-related and work-related bullying behaviours were more common than violence and intimidation. The multi-dimensional scale of bullying behaviours had greater concordance with a single item of self-labelled bullying (Area Under the Curve = 0.88) than other adverse work characteristics (all Area Under the Curves 0.67). Self-labelled bullying and scales reflecting person-related and work-related bullying were independent predictors of depression and/or anxiety. This study provides unique information on the prevalence and mental health impacts of workplace bullying and ill-treatment in Australia. Workplace bullying is a relatively common experience, and is associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety. Greater attention to identifying and preventing bullying and ill-treatment in the workplace is warranted.
How has Welfare to Work reform affected the mental health of single parents in Australia?
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2014
Unencumbered and still unequal? Work hour - Health tipping points and gender inequality among older, employed Australian couples
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Social disadvantage and individual vulnerability: A longitudinal investigation of welfare receipt and mental health in Australia
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-04-2013
Abstract: To examine longitudinal associations between mental health and welfare receipt among working-age Australians. We analysed 9 years of data from 11,701 respondents (49% men) from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Mental health was assessed by the mental health subscale from the Short Form 36 questionnaire. Linear mixed models were used to examine the longitudinal associations between mental health and income support adjusting for the effects of demographic and socio-economic factors, physical health, lifestyle behaviours and financial stress. Within-person variation in welfare receipt over time was differentiated from between-person propensity to receive welfare payments. Random effect models tested the effects of income support transitions. Socio-demographic and financial variables explained the association between mental health and income support for those receiving student and parenting payments. Overall, recipients of disability, unemployment and mature age payments had poorer mental health regardless of their personal, social and financial circumstances. In addition, those receiving unemployment and disability payments had even poorer mental health at the times that they were receiving income support relative to the times when they were not. The greatest reductions in mental health were associated with transitions to disability payments and parenting payments for single parents. The poor mental health of welfare recipients may limit their opportunities to gain work and participate in community life. In part, this seems to reflect their adverse social and personal circumstances. However, there remains evidence of a direct link between welfare receipt and poor mental health that could be due to factors such as welfare stigma or other adverse life events coinciding with welfare receipt for those receiving unemployment or disability payments. Understanding these factors is critical to inform the next stage of welfare reform.
Is the stereotype of welfare recipients associated with type of welfare state regime? A cross-national meta-regression of the stereotype content model
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JASP.12843
Abstract: The association of societal‐level structural factors with stereotypes and stigma can be examined using the stereotype content model (SCM). The main aim of the current study was to review and synthesize all available research data of SCM dimensions of Warmth and Competence perceptions of welfare recipients, and compare the ratings in different types of social welfare regimes (Nordic, Conservative, and Liberal). To do this, we reviewed all published literature using the SCM methodology to assess stereotypes of welfare recipients and perfomed a cross‐national meta‐regression of 17 datasets (total N = 1797) drawn from six countries representing three types of welfare regimes. In each of the studies, participants were asked how others in their country viewed welfare recipients on the dimensions of warmth and competence. We predicted and found support for the hypothesis that countries with a Nordic welfare regime have a warmer cultural stereotype of welfare recipients than countries with a Liberal or Conservative regime. However, the expected association between Liberal welfare regime and incompetence stereotypes was not found. Supplementary analyses showed that the type of welfare regime better explained country differences in welfare stereotypes than country differences in income inequality. This study demonstrates how stereotypes of warmth and competence vary across welfare regimes, adding to knowledge about how societal‐level factors are related to cultural stereotypes.
Aid and ideas: The impact of western economic support on the Muslim successor states
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 23-11-2004
Mental Health Problems and Internet Access: Results From an Australian National Household Survey
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 15-05-2020
DOI: 10.2196/14825
Abstract: Mental health support and interventions are increasingly delivered on the web, and stepped care systems of mental health services are embracing the notion of a digital gateway through which in iduals can have access to information, assessment, and services and can be connected with more intensive services if needed. Although concerns have been raised over whether people with mental health problems are disadvantaged in terms of their access to the internet, there is a lack of representative data on this topic. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health and internet access, particularly lack of access because of affordability issues. Data from wave 14 of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey were used (n=15,596) in the analyses. S le weights available in the survey were used to calculate the proportion of those with or without internet access for those with and without mental health problems and more severe long-term mental health conditions. These proportions were also calculated for those with and without internet access due, specifically, to affordability issues. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between mental health status and internet access/affordability issues, adjusting for a range of covariates. Access to the internet was poorer for those with mental health problems (87.8%) than those without mental health problems (92.2%), and the difference was greater when a measure of more severe mental health conditions was used (81.3% vs 92.2%). The regression models showed that even after adjusting for a broad range of covariates, people with mental ill health were significantly more likely to have no internet access because of unaffordability than those without mental ill health (mental health problems: relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.68 95% CI 1.11-2.53 and severe mental health conditions: RRR 1.92 95% CI 1.16-3.19). As Australia and other nations increasingly deliver mental health services on the web, issues of equity and affordability need to be considered to ensure that those who most need support and assistance are not further disadvantaged.
New Fatherhood and Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Study of Australian Men
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-08-2014
DOI: 10.1093/AJE/KWU177
Abstract: Despite growing interest and concern about men's mental health during the perinatal period, we still do not know whether men are more vulnerable to mental health problems during this time. The current study is one of the first to use longitudinal, population-based data to investigate whether becoming an expectant and/or new father is associated with increases in psychological distress. We analyzed 10 waves of data collected annually (from 2001 to 2010) from the nationally representative Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Over this time, 349 men were identified as new fathers (first child aged <1 year), and 224 of these men had been identified as "expectant fathers" during the previous wave. A total of 1,658 men remained "never fathers." Psychological distress was measured using the 5-item Mental Health Inventory before the partner's pregnancy, during the partner's pregnancy, and during the first year of fatherhood. Longitudinal mixed models showed no significant increase in psychological distress as a function of expectant or new fatherhood instead, some improvement in mental health was observed. The finding suggests that expectant and new fathers are not at greater risk of poor mental health. Future epidemiologic research should continue to identify those men who are most (and least) at risk during the perinatal period in order to target resources and assistance most effectively.
Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 23-09-2016
DOI: 10.1136/OEMED-2016-103726
Abstract: The established links between workplace bullying and poor mental health provide a prima facie reason to expect that workplace bullying increases the risk of suicidal ideation (thoughts) and behaviours. Until now, there has been no systematic summary of the available evidence. This systematic review summarises published studies reporting data on workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, or behaviour. The review sought to ascertain the nature of this association and highlight future research directions. 5 electronic databases were searched. 2 reviewers independently selected the articles for inclusion, and extracted information about study characteristics (s le, recruitment method, assessment and measures) and data reporting the association of workplace bullying with suicidal ideation and behaviour. 12 studies were included in the final review-8 reported estimates of a positive association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, and a further 4 provided descriptive information about the prevalence of suicidal ideation in targets of bullying. Only 1 non-representative cross-sectional study examined the association between workplace bullying and suicidal behaviour. The results show an absence of high-quality epidemiological studies (eg, prospective cohort studies, which controlled for workplace characteristics and baseline psychiatric morbidity). While the available literature (predominantly cross-sectional) suggests that there is a positive association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation, the low quality of studies prevents ruling out alternative explanations. Further longitudinal, population-based research, adjusting for potential covariates (within and outside the workplace), is needed to determine the level of risk that workplace bullying independently contributes to suicidal ideation and behaviour.
Psychological distress and sickness absence: Within- versus between-individual analysis
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Using energy resources to diversify the economy: Agricultural price distortions in Kazakhstan
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2009
DOI: 10.1057/CES.2008.48
Deriving prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms throughout middle and old age in those living in the community
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 17-11-2011
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610211002109
Abstract: Background: There is considerable debate about the prevalence of depression in old age. Epidemiological surveys and clinical studies indicate mixed evidence for the association between depression and increasing age. We examined the prevalence of probable depression in the middle aged to the oldest old in a project designed specifically to investigate the aging process. Methods: Community-living participants were drawn from several Australian longitudinal studies of aging that contributed to the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. Different depression scales from the contributing studies were harmonized to create a binary variable that reflected “probable depression” based on existing cut-points for each harmonized scale. Weighted prevalence was benchmarked to the Australian population which could be compared with findings from the 1997 and 2007 National Surveys of Mental Health and Well-Being (NSMHWB). Results: In the DYNOPTA project, females were more likely to report probable depression. This was consistent across age levels. Both NSMHWB surveys and DYNOPTA did not report a decline in the likelihood of reporting probable depression for the oldest old in comparison with mid-life. Conclusions: Inconsistency in the reports of late-life depression prevalence in previous epidemiological studies may be explained by either the exclusion and/or limited s ling of the oldest old. DYNOPTA addresses these limitations and the results indicated no change in the likelihood of reporting depression with increasing age. Further research should extend these findings to examine within-person change in a longitudinal context and control for health covariates.
Does living in remote Australia lessen the impact of hardship on psychological distress?
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 03-04-2018
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796017000117
Abstract: Rural and remote regions tend to be characterised by poorer socioeconomic conditions than urban areas, yet findings regarding differences in mental health between rural and urban areas have been inconsistent. This suggests that other features of these areas may reduce the impact of hardship on mental health. Little research has explored the relationship of financial hardship or deprivation with mental health across geographical areas. Data were analysed from a large longitudinal Australian study of the mental health of in iduals living in regional and remote communities. Financial hardship was measured using items from previous Australian national population research, along with measures of psychological distress (Kessler-10), social networks/support and community characteristics/locality, including rurality/remoteness (inner regional outer regional remote/very remote). Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between hardship, locality and distress. Supplementary analysis was undertaken using Australian Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data. 2161 respondents from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study (1879 households) completed a baseline survey with 26% from remote or very remote regions. A significant association was detected between the number of hardship items and psychological distress in regional areas. Living in a remote location was associated with a lower number of hardships, lower risk of any hardship and lower risk of reporting three of the seven in idual hardship items. Increasing hardship was associated with no change in distress for those living in remote areas. Respondents from remote areas were more likely to report seeking help from welfare organisations than regional residents. Findings were confirmed with sensitivity tests, including replication with HILDA data, the use of alternative measures of socioeconomic circumstances and the application of different analytic methods. Using a conventional and nationally used measure of financial hardship, people residing in the most remote regions reported fewer hardships than other rural residents. In contrast to other rural residents, and national population data, there was no association between such hardship and mental health among residents in remote areas. The findings suggest the need to reconsider the experience of financial hardship across localities and possible protective factors within remote regions that may mitigate the psychological impact of such hardship.
The lesser evil: Bad jobs or unemployment? A survey of mid-aged Australians
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2006.02.003
Abstract: Paid work is related to health in complex ways, posing both risks and benefits. Unemployment is associated with poor health, but some jobs may still be worse than no job at all. This research investigates that possibility. We used cross-sectional survey data from Australians aged 40-44 (N = 2497). Health measures were depression, physical health, self-rated health, and general practitioner visits. Employees were classified according to their job quality (strain, perceived job insecurity and marketability). Employee health was compared to people who were unemployed, and to people who were not in the labour force. We found that unemployed people reported worse health when compared to all employees. However, distinguishing in terms of employee's job quality revealed a more complex pattern. Poor quality jobs (characterized by insecurity, low marketability and job strain) were associated with worse health when compared to jobs with fewer or no stressors. Furthermore, people in jobs with three or more of the psychosocial stressors report health that is no better than the unemployed. In conclusion, paid work confers health benefits, but poor quality jobs which combine several psychosocial stressors could be as bad for health as being unemployed. Thus, workplace and industrial relations policies that diminish worker autonomy and security may generate short-term economic gains, but place longer-term burdens on the health of employees and the health-care system.
Adapting to Retirement Community Life: Changes in Social Networks and Perceived Loneliness
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1017/JRR.2015.5
Abstract: Improved social relationships and connectedness is a frequently cited benefit of retirement community living. However, few studies have prospectively investigated changes in loneliness or social networks following relocation. This study involved 83 Australians (aged 57–90 years) relocating to independent living units within a retirement community. A prospective longitudinal design was employed whereby data was collected prior to relocation, and 1, 6 and 12 months post relocation. Comparisons were made with a s le of community-dwelling ( N = 549) residents of the same age. In idual characteristics (e.g., personality characteristics) associated with change were also explored. Results indicated reduced loneliness and increased neighbour support networks following relocation. A reduction in contact with friends was also observed. This study provides an important contribution to our understanding of the initial impact of transitioning into a retirement community on personal relationships. Through exploring factors associated with successful transition, we can begin to understand the characteristics of those in iduals most likely to thrive in this type of environment.
Public policy and professional sports: International and Australian experiences
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Date: 26-09-2014
A method of identifying health-based benchmarks for psychosocial risks at work: A tool for risk assessment
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
ASEAN's new frontiers: Integrating the newest members into the ASEAN economic community
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-05-2013
DOI: 10.1111/AEPR.12000
Is the association between poor job control and common mental disorder explained by general perceptions of control? Findings from an Australian longitudinal cohort
Publisher: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Date: 05-12-2019
DOI: 10.5271/SJWEH.3869
Abstract: Objectives This study sought to examine the influence of general perceptions of control on the association between job control and mental health. Methods We used four waves of data from a cohort of mid-aged adults from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Study (baseline N=2106). Key measures included job control and likelihood of experiencing a common mental disorder (anxiety and/or depression). The data were analyzed using longitudinal random-intercept regression models, controlling for a range of potential confounders including general perceptions of control (ie, not isolated to the work context) via a measure of mastery. The analyses isolated the effect of within-person changes in job control on mental health (apart from between-person differences). Results The results show that the effect of job control remained significant after adjusting for general perceptions of control and other confounders. The within-person effect in the model demonstrated that, when workers had low job control, they were twice as likely to experience a common mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53‒2.73]. Conclusions In iduals' general perceptions of control in life does not account for the association between low job control and poor mental health. The findings add a new layer of evidence to the literature demonstrating that lack of autonomy at work is an independent predictor of employees' mental health. Increasing employee control should be integrated into workplace strategies to promote mental health.
Financial hardship, mastery and social support: Explaining poor mental health amongst the inadequately employed using data from the HILDA survey
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
Do gender and psychosocial job stressors modify the relationship between disability and sickness absence: an investigation using 12 waves of a longitudinal cohort
Publisher: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Date: 05-12-2020
DOI: 10.5271/SJWEH.3865
Abstract: Objectives A considerable proportion of the working population reports a disability. These workers may be at risk of adverse outcomes, including longer periods of sickness absence. This study examined the causal effect of disability on sickness absence and the role of psychosocial job stressors and gender as effect modifiers. Methods Data on paid and unpaid sick leave, disability (yes/no) and psychosocial job stressors were available from 2005 to 2017 from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Negative binomial models were used to model the rate of sickness absence in a year. Results In the random effects model, workers with disability had 1.20 greater rate of sickness absence in a year [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.23, P<0.001] after adjustment for confounders. The rate was slightly lower in the fixed effects model. There was evidence of multiplicative interaction of the effect by gender and job control. The effect of disability on sickness absence was greater among men than women, and higher for people with low job control compared to those with high job control. Conclusions There is a need for more research about the factors that can reduce sickness leave among workers with disabilities.
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