The influence of parental alcohol expectancies on offsprings' alcohol expectancies and drinking: A longitudinal study. It has been shown that potentially modifiable alcohol related cognitions, such as alcohol expectancies (AE)and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) are formed in childhood are related to drinking in adolescents and adults. The question of how these beliefs are formed is still unanswered. This longitudinal study examines the influences of parental alcohol-related beliefs and ....The influence of parental alcohol expectancies on offsprings' alcohol expectancies and drinking: A longitudinal study. It has been shown that potentially modifiable alcohol related cognitions, such as alcohol expectancies (AE)and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE) are formed in childhood are related to drinking in adolescents and adults. The question of how these beliefs are formed is still unanswered. This longitudinal study examines the influences of parental alcohol-related beliefs and drinking, on children's alcohol-related beliefs and drinking behaviour. Positive results of this study will improve primary prevention by identifying and changing modifiable variables for populations potentially at-risk of developing later alcohol-related. It will also help to reduce cost and suffering of a major problem in Ausstralia.
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Enhancing the public health approach to evidence-based parenting support: efficacy of a low intensity online intervention. Child conduct problems are among the most frequently diagnosed conditions in mental health services and often lead to long-term damaging consequences. This research examines the effects of a brief online parenting intervention to help parents become more skilled in their role, leading to better child adjustment and wellbeing.
Outcomes and predictors of change resulting from participation in a brief parenting intervention for parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Childhood diabetes is a significant public health problem, and yet existing interventions fail to address the psychosocial sequelae of the condition or assist parents with managing children's behavioural and emotional problems. Traditional approaches use a medical/educational model and this study will be the first to use a stringent methodological approac ....Outcomes and predictors of change resulting from participation in a brief parenting intervention for parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Childhood diabetes is a significant public health problem, and yet existing interventions fail to address the psychosocial sequelae of the condition or assist parents with managing children's behavioural and emotional problems. Traditional approaches use a medical/educational model and this study will be the first to use a stringent methodological approach to evaluate the efficacy of a brief, group-based parenting intervention. It is expected that participating in the intervention will reduce ineffective parenting practices, and lead to improved child adjustment. Theoretically, the study will examine predictors of change to enhance our understanding of who benefits from the program, addressing a critical gap in the parenting literature. Read moreRead less
Evaluation of a brief parenting intervention for parents of children suffering asthma or eczema. Childhood illnesses create a great burden for Australian families and many parents struggle with keeping their child healthy and well adjusted. This research will examine the effects of a brief parenting intervention to help parents become more skilled and confident in their role, leading to better child adjustment, health and wellbeing.
Relationship self-regulation as a predictor of marital satisfaction and stability in the early years of marriage. Marital distress and separation are major social problems in Australia. Marital problems are associated with domestic violence, poor health and adjustment of adults and children, and substantial financial costs to individual families and society. The current project tests whether the effort partners expend to sustain the relationship helps maintain relationship satisfaction. If true, ....Relationship self-regulation as a predictor of marital satisfaction and stability in the early years of marriage. Marital distress and separation are major social problems in Australia. Marital problems are associated with domestic violence, poor health and adjustment of adults and children, and substantial financial costs to individual families and society. The current project tests whether the effort partners expend to sustain the relationship helps maintain relationship satisfaction. If true, relationship education programs can be structured to teach people how to enhance their relationships. Effective relationship education could significantly improve the health and quality of life of partners and their children, and reduce national and community costs associated with marital problems. Read moreRead less
Structured Writing Tasks: Examination of the process of change as indicated by cognitive-behavioural models of trauma. Research demonstrates that structured writing about past upsetting experiences is beneficial for physical and psychological health. The aim of this study is to identify the process of change responsible for these benefits. Three processes, based on trauma theory, have been identified (exposure, devaluation, and benefit-finding) and are manipulated within the writing paradigm. T ....Structured Writing Tasks: Examination of the process of change as indicated by cognitive-behavioural models of trauma. Research demonstrates that structured writing about past upsetting experiences is beneficial for physical and psychological health. The aim of this study is to identify the process of change responsible for these benefits. Three processes, based on trauma theory, have been identified (exposure, devaluation, and benefit-finding) and are manipulated within the writing paradigm. This study will test these processes in predicting future health benefits. It will increase the effectiveness of the writing paradigm for the general population, provide manualised variations of the writing paradigm based on trauma theory, examine patient-matching variables, and provide a base to conduct research in clinical populations.Read moreRead less
The initiation, development, and maintenance of alcohol/tobacco use in adolescents: The role of associative memory. Alcohol abuse and tobacco misuse are common in Australian adolescents and its long-term health consequences are well established. Models of drug-related memory association predict drug use in adults. However, memory association models have not been applied to smoking behaviour, or to understanding adolescent alcohol/tobacco use over time. It is expected that memory associations ....The initiation, development, and maintenance of alcohol/tobacco use in adolescents: The role of associative memory. Alcohol abuse and tobacco misuse are common in Australian adolescents and its long-term health consequences are well established. Models of drug-related memory association predict drug use in adults. However, memory association models have not been applied to smoking behaviour, or to understanding adolescent alcohol/tobacco use over time. It is expected that memory associations will predict the development of alcohol/tobacco use and misuse, after accounting for viable alternative explanations of the association. Understanding the role that memory associations have in the development of alcohol/tobacco use should inform prevention programs for at-risk adolescents.Read moreRead less
Controlled trial of a family intervention for children bullied by peers. Bullying by peers begins as early as pre-school and affects a tenth of Australian children almost every day. This has serious ongoing consequences including increased risk of mental health problems, onset of health problems, development of negative school attitudes and behaviour problems and loss of friendships. This study is a controlled trial of a family program to assist children and parents to reduce the incidence and i ....Controlled trial of a family intervention for children bullied by peers. Bullying by peers begins as early as pre-school and affects a tenth of Australian children almost every day. This has serious ongoing consequences including increased risk of mental health problems, onset of health problems, development of negative school attitudes and behaviour problems and loss of friendships. This study is a controlled trial of a family program to assist children and parents to reduce the incidence and impact of bullying. If successful, such a program could provide relief to many children and families struggling with bullying and save untold millions of dollars lost to future mental health demands.Read moreRead less
Risk factors for the development of paediatric anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are common and debilitating forms of disability affecting Australian children. This project blends strategic basic research with clinical application to advance our understanding of the causes of these disorders. By examining underlying child- and parent-based mechanisms by which children at greatest risk for these disorders transition to anxiety-disordered status, this project will lead to improved prevention an ....Risk factors for the development of paediatric anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are common and debilitating forms of disability affecting Australian children. This project blends strategic basic research with clinical application to advance our understanding of the causes of these disorders. By examining underlying child- and parent-based mechanisms by which children at greatest risk for these disorders transition to anxiety-disordered status, this project will lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies, which will improve the lives of affected children and their families and significantly reduce the financial burden on the Australian health care system.Read moreRead less
Theory of mind and everyday social behaviour in children with autism, deafness and typical development. Via new insight into the social-cognitive underpinnings of children's peer relationships, we will assist national research priorities to promote child health and limit adverse costs of disability. Our findings will also advance Australia's world leadership in the science of developmental psychology: Building both on our international team's novel social cognition discoveries and proven success ....Theory of mind and everyday social behaviour in children with autism, deafness and typical development. Via new insight into the social-cognitive underpinnings of children's peer relationships, we will assist national research priorities to promote child health and limit adverse costs of disability. Our findings will also advance Australia's world leadership in the science of developmental psychology: Building both on our international team's novel social cognition discoveries and proven successes researching and publishing together, we are ideally poised for scientific discovery, world-class research leadership/ research training, and for fostering a collaborative research network of key international significance, while guiding policies and intervention to help Australia's typically-developing and disabled children.Read moreRead less