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
Trauma and Unwanted Memories. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a potentially debilitating condition that affects survivors of trauma. Intrusive memories of the trauma is the key problem in people with PTSD. This project will attempt to understand intrusive memories and will clarify why these memories persist. Outcomes from this project will directly assist people with PTSD because it will enhance understanding of a key symptom that maintains the disorder.
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
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
From Anxious Temperament to Disorder: The role of the parent- child interaction. Three studies are proposed. The first examines parent behaviour (overinvolvement, encouragement of avoidance) in a large group of inhibited and uninhibited preschoolers over two-years. The aim is to determine whether parent behaviour places an inhibited child at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The second examines parents of anxious children interacting with non-clinical children and parents of non-cl ....From Anxious Temperament to Disorder: The role of the parent- child interaction. Three studies are proposed. The first examines parent behaviour (overinvolvement, encouragement of avoidance) in a large group of inhibited and uninhibited preschoolers over two-years. The aim is to determine whether parent behaviour places an inhibited child at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The second examines parents of anxious children interacting with non-clinical children and parents of non-clinical children interacting with anxious children. It is expected that anxious children will elicit more help from non-clinical mothers. The third examines anxiety-disordered parents interacting with their children. It is expected that anxiety-disordered mothers would be overinvolved regardless of the child's anxiety.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Mental Health in Aboriginal Children. The poor health, academic, and mental health functioning of Aboriginal children is one of Australia's major public health problems. This project will identify the specific factors that lead to these problems and empirically evaluate management programs aimed at leading to reduced violence and better mental health. This program aims to interupt the intergenerational cycle of violence and mental health problems in Australian Aborigines.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL0992334
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,321,000.00
Summary
An Empirical Model of Aboriginal Mental Health. The poor health, academic, and mental health functioning of Aboriginal children is one of Australia's major public health problems. This project will identify the specific factors that lead to these problems and provide an evidence base to shape future empirically-informed interventions to reduce violence and mental health problems in Aboriginal communities. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority of Strengthening Australia ....An Empirical Model of Aboriginal Mental Health. The poor health, academic, and mental health functioning of Aboriginal children is one of Australia's major public health problems. This project will identify the specific factors that lead to these problems and provide an evidence base to shape future empirically-informed interventions to reduce violence and mental health problems in Aboriginal communities. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority of Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric and a Healthy Start to Life by establishing the empirical platform to shape future policies for enhancing the mental health of Aboriginal youth.Read moreRead less
Regulating anger: Cognitive reappraisal, emotional suppression, and post-event rumination. Australians bear the substantial psychological, social, and economic costs associated with unrestrained anger. Anger problems are associated with school and work difficulties, poor social relationship quality, alcohol and drug use, financial and legal difficulties, premature cardiovascular mortality, and clinically significant mental health problems. Anger and aggression also cause much harm to society th ....Regulating anger: Cognitive reappraisal, emotional suppression, and post-event rumination. Australians bear the substantial psychological, social, and economic costs associated with unrestrained anger. Anger problems are associated with school and work difficulties, poor social relationship quality, alcohol and drug use, financial and legal difficulties, premature cardiovascular mortality, and clinically significant mental health problems. Anger and aggression also cause much harm to society through crime, domestic abuse, and workplace violence among others. The Australian Institute of Criminology estimates the cost of assault, sexual assault, and homicide in Australia at over $2.5 billion per year. The insights gained from this research may help ameliorate these negative consequences of anger.Read moreRead less
The perinatal journey: the process and impact of psychosocial assessment. This study of the process and impact of psychosocial assessment and depression screening during pregnancy and after birth will have immediate national application and benefit as Australian governments prepare policy to implement universal psychosocial assessment. Findings will provide evidence-based approaches to assessment and service delivery impacting positively on large numbers of Australian women who use maternity and ....The perinatal journey: the process and impact of psychosocial assessment. This study of the process and impact of psychosocial assessment and depression screening during pregnancy and after birth will have immediate national application and benefit as Australian governments prepare policy to implement universal psychosocial assessment. Findings will provide evidence-based approaches to assessment and service delivery impacting positively on large numbers of Australian women who use maternity and early childhood nursing services. Most importantly, skillful early identification of women in distress or 'at risk' is the first step in providing appropriate services and support to ensure better child outcomes. The research will be at the cutting edge internationally and directly addresses National Research Priorities.Read moreRead less