An Integrative Theory of Flashback Memories. Flashback memories are a core phenomenon in a range of psychological disorders. People who have suffered trauma, for example, experience a sense of reliving the past. This project will conduct the first comprehensive analysis of flashbacks by building on existing theories of autobiographical memory and applying convergent methodologies to study flashbacks. The project will assess the content, retrieval mode, and the brain mechanisms underpinning fl ....An Integrative Theory of Flashback Memories. Flashback memories are a core phenomenon in a range of psychological disorders. People who have suffered trauma, for example, experience a sense of reliving the past. This project will conduct the first comprehensive analysis of flashbacks by building on existing theories of autobiographical memory and applying convergent methodologies to study flashbacks. The project will assess the content, retrieval mode, and the brain mechanisms underpinning flashbacks. These data will lead to the first empirically-driven model of flashbacks that encompasses the psychological and neural bases of flashbacks. This model will advance our understanding of cognitive processes underpinning many psychological disorders.Read moreRead less
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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Whether social media literacy mitigates effects of social media in adolescents. This project aims to determine protective and risk factors for problems associated with social media use in early adolescents. In particular, it aims to determine the protective role of social media literacy (the skill to analyse, critique and evaluate social media posts). Although most Australian adolescents use social media, frequent social media engagement and photo-based activities can cause body dissatisfaction, ....Whether social media literacy mitigates effects of social media in adolescents. This project aims to determine protective and risk factors for problems associated with social media use in early adolescents. In particular, it aims to determine the protective role of social media literacy (the skill to analyse, critique and evaluate social media posts). Although most Australian adolescents use social media, frequent social media engagement and photo-based activities can cause body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and compromised well-being. Findings supporting a protective role for social media literacy are expected to inform policy to improve adolescent well-being and pave the way for school-based social media literacy interventions.Read moreRead less
Cognitive control in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with significant social and economic burden. There is a pressing need to understand the cognitive mechanisms that drive and maintain this disorder. This research will permit exciting advances that will extend existing models of OCD by (1) elucidating the effects of different strategies for responding to obsessional thoughts,(2) integrating psychological, cognitive, and neuropsychological models of OCD ....Cognitive control in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with significant social and economic burden. There is a pressing need to understand the cognitive mechanisms that drive and maintain this disorder. This research will permit exciting advances that will extend existing models of OCD by (1) elucidating the effects of different strategies for responding to obsessional thoughts,(2) integrating psychological, cognitive, and neuropsychological models of OCD, (3) developing innovative approaches to intrusive thoughts that will benefit the treatment of OCD and (4) shaping the research directions of future Australian researchers. Read moreRead less
Understanding and predicting the role of memory in depression recurrence. Depression exerts an immense social and economic burden on the community. There is an urgent need to understand the factors that increase vulnerability to recurrence. This project will have 5 key benefits; it will: (i) extend theoretical models of depression, (ii) aid the identification of individuals at risk of relapse, (iii) guide the development of evidence-based relapse prevention programs (meeting National Research Pr ....Understanding and predicting the role of memory in depression recurrence. Depression exerts an immense social and economic burden on the community. There is an urgent need to understand the factors that increase vulnerability to recurrence. This project will have 5 key benefits; it will: (i) extend theoretical models of depression, (ii) aid the identification of individuals at risk of relapse, (iii) guide the development of evidence-based relapse prevention programs (meeting National Research Priority 2), (iv) enhance Australia's reputation for conducting cutting-edge experimental clinical research, and (v) shape the research directions of upcoming Australian researchers. The findings will inform policymakers who determine mental health service provision to the Australian community.Read moreRead less
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.
The role of threat expectancy and attentional bias modification in promoting attentional capture and disengagement in acute experimental pain. This study will test the effectiveness of a number of variants of a promising new treatment in changing responses to an experimental pain task, the cold pressor. The aim is to develop a novel treatment, with preliminary evidence for its efficacy, that can be tested as a treatment for the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.
Environmental and genetic risk factors for anxiety disorders in children. Anxiety disorders provide one of the largest sources of disability affecting Australian society. The results of this study will lead to critical advances in our understanding of the causes of anxiety disorders. Having greater understanding of factors that place a child at risk for disorder will allow intervention programs to more accurately target those children and families at greatest risk. Given the prevalence of anxiet ....Environmental and genetic risk factors for anxiety disorders in children. Anxiety disorders provide one of the largest sources of disability affecting Australian society. The results of this study will lead to critical advances in our understanding of the causes of anxiety disorders. Having greater understanding of factors that place a child at risk for disorder will allow intervention programs to more accurately target those children and families at greatest risk. Given the prevalence of anxiety disorders and the significant life interference associated with these disorders, improving intervention efforts will give rise to significant enhancement in the mental health of thousands of Australian children. Read moreRead less