The role of reward expectancy and reward availability in appetitive motivation. This project will investigate the learning processes that help regulate our desire for rewards such as food and drugs and our decisions about when to pursue those rewards. The results will have implications for our understanding of normal reward motivation as well as interventions for maladaptive behaviours such as gambling and drug-taking.
Alcohol advertising to women in Australia. Young Australian women are drinking more and drinking in more harmful ways. At the same time, advertisers are using new media (such as social network sites) and messages (such as empowerment) to advertise alcohol to women. Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and experimental methods, this project will explore how alcohol is advertised to Australian women (in both traditional and new media), and how this influences their alcohol-related atti ....Alcohol advertising to women in Australia. Young Australian women are drinking more and drinking in more harmful ways. At the same time, advertisers are using new media (such as social network sites) and messages (such as empowerment) to advertise alcohol to women. Using a combination of quantitative, qualitative and experimental methods, this project will explore how alcohol is advertised to Australian women (in both traditional and new media), and how this influences their alcohol-related attitudes and behaviours. Answering these questions is expected to enable development of recommendations for regulation of alcohol advertising messages, creation of counter-advertising/social marketing messages, and production of alcohol advertising literacy programs for secondary and tertiary students.Read moreRead less
Uncertainty and response control in the prefrontal cortex. This project will identify how complex behaviours come to be performed habitually. It is proposed that statistical certainty in the learning environment is a key determinant of automatic behaviour, that detection of uncertainty can restore voluntary control of behaviour and that this is an important function of the prefrontal cortex of the brain.
Understanding recent Australian trends in alcohol consumption and harms. This project aims to provide critical insight into recent trends in alcohol consumption and related harm in Australia. Many indicators of harm from alcohol have increased dramatically in the past decade, while drinking behaviours appear largely unchanged. This project aims to investigate two potential explanations for these trends: that apparent increases in rates of alcohol-related harm are driven by operational or adminis ....Understanding recent Australian trends in alcohol consumption and harms. This project aims to provide critical insight into recent trends in alcohol consumption and related harm in Australia. Many indicators of harm from alcohol have increased dramatically in the past decade, while drinking behaviours appear largely unchanged. This project aims to investigate two potential explanations for these trends: that apparent increases in rates of alcohol-related harm are driven by operational or administrative practices rather than by increases in actual harm; and that stable per-capita consumption data obscures divergent drinking behaviours, with increases among heavy drinkers driving increasing harm rates. The project aims to inform alcohol policy debates, which rely on robust trend data.Read moreRead less
A community-based approach to the problem of underage drinking. This project will aim to reduce the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related harms, among young people aged 12-17 years by addressing social norms regarding underage alcohol consumption. Using a multi-component intervention it will engage the Illawarra community in strategies to encourage and empower young people not to drink.
Drug using behaviours and beliefs, and associated harms, among gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men have high rates of drug use. This cohort study will contribute to Australia’s response to drug use by identifying: risk factors for, and prevalence and incidence of, drug use and associated harms within this high risk population; the role of gay community norms in individuals' beliefs about and motivations for drug use; and, implications for HIV and HCV infection. The findings will help to b ....Drug using behaviours and beliefs, and associated harms, among gay and bisexual men. Gay and bisexual men have high rates of drug use. This cohort study will contribute to Australia’s response to drug use by identifying: risk factors for, and prevalence and incidence of, drug use and associated harms within this high risk population; the role of gay community norms in individuals' beliefs about and motivations for drug use; and, implications for HIV and HCV infection. The findings will help to better target, educate and support those at risk of drug use and associated harms. Read moreRead less
Non-medical use of prescription stimulants by Australian university students: attitudes, prevalence of, and motivations for use. This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of student non-medical use of prescription stimulants. The findings will inform initiatives to prevent the abuse and misuse of pharmaceuticals, protect health and reduce the cost associated with inappropriate use of medicines.
Smoking cessation program for smokers admitted to public hospitals. This project will implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary healthcare intervention initiated by hospital pharmacists and followed up by primary health professionals to assist smokers admitted to three Victorian tertiary public hospitals to give up smoking. This program could potentially reduce smoking-related death, illness and healthcare costs.
The nature of alcohol advertising in 'old' and 'new' media and the impact on young people's alcohol-related attitudes, intentions and behaviour. Young people in Australia are exposed to a vast array of alcohol advertising. While television advertising has been widely researched, the effects of internet advertising, social networking, and event-based marketing are largely unknown. This project will examine the impact of different media on teenagers' current and future drinking behaviours.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100509
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,000.00
Summary
Molecular mechanisms causing relapse. This project aims to identify the neural connectivity and molecular profile of ventral pallidal neurons in the brain that control drug and alcohol addiction, relapsing disorders where users lose the ability to inhibit drug seeking behaviour. This project integrates neurobiological and psychological attributes of relapse. The anticipated outcomes provide insights about molecular mechanisms causing relapse, and expand knowledge of brain mechanisms that contrib ....Molecular mechanisms causing relapse. This project aims to identify the neural connectivity and molecular profile of ventral pallidal neurons in the brain that control drug and alcohol addiction, relapsing disorders where users lose the ability to inhibit drug seeking behaviour. This project integrates neurobiological and psychological attributes of relapse. The anticipated outcomes provide insights about molecular mechanisms causing relapse, and expand knowledge of brain mechanisms that contribute to relapsing disorders such as drug addiction and obesity. The findings from this project could be used to reduce relapse, and hence reduce the burden of alcohol related problems on health, the community and the Australian economy.Read moreRead less