An examination of the development, experience and construction of premenstrual symptoms: A comparative study of relationship types and contexts. Of 9,689 Australian women recently surveyed nationally, 33% reported moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms (PMS). To date, there has been no detailed examination of this debilitation, or the factors associated with it. This research study will do this, helping health-care providers understand the development, experience and construction of PMS in the ....An examination of the development, experience and construction of premenstrual symptoms: A comparative study of relationship types and contexts. Of 9,689 Australian women recently surveyed nationally, 33% reported moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms (PMS). To date, there has been no detailed examination of this debilitation, or the factors associated with it. This research study will do this, helping health-care providers understand the development, experience and construction of PMS in the context of close family relationships. This will provide a framework for prevention and support programs, thereby reducing PMS, and the physical and psychological distress associated with it. This will lead to improved psychological wellbeing and quality of life for women and their families, a priority area for the ARC. Read moreRead less
Evaluation of the relative efficacy and mechanisms of a couple-based intervention for Premenstrual Syndrome through a randomised control trial using mixed methods. Of 9,689 Australian women recently surveyed nationally, 33% reported moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms (PMS). Whilst relationships have been identified as a significant factor in the experience of premenstrual distress, to date there has been no systematic description or evaluation of couple-based PMS interventions. This resear ....Evaluation of the relative efficacy and mechanisms of a couple-based intervention for Premenstrual Syndrome through a randomised control trial using mixed methods. Of 9,689 Australian women recently surveyed nationally, 33% reported moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms (PMS). Whilst relationships have been identified as a significant factor in the experience of premenstrual distress, to date there has been no systematic description or evaluation of couple-based PMS interventions. This research study will do this, helping health-care providers understand the experience and treatment of PMS in the context of family relationships, thereby reducing PMS, and the physical and psychological distress associated with it. This will lead to improved psychological wellbeing and quality of life for women and their families.Read moreRead less
Understanding reactions to diversity initiatives in organizations: An intergroup perspective. Current policy and legislation promote diversity in organizations,
however employees often react negatively to diversity initiatives
that assist specific groups (e.g., women). Explanations attributing
negativity to individual factors (e.g., self interest) or to broad
organizational culture are limited. Diversity initiatives highlight
differences between the beneficiary and non-beneficiary group(s) ....Understanding reactions to diversity initiatives in organizations: An intergroup perspective. Current policy and legislation promote diversity in organizations,
however employees often react negatively to diversity initiatives
that assist specific groups (e.g., women). Explanations attributing
negativity to individual factors (e.g., self interest) or to broad
organizational culture are limited. Diversity initiatives highlight
differences between the beneficiary and non-beneficiary group(s) and
a comprehensive model should incorporate an intergroup perspective.
It should also recognise the legitimising role of justice-based
concerns. In testing such a model, this project will contribute to
theories of intergroup relations and their interplay with social
policy, and to the development of strategies to manage workplace
diversity.
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Understanding and reducing the impact of sexual objectification. Violence and discrimination are serious problems facing women in Australia. This project examines how sexual objectification contributes to these problems, investigating the process from both the perpetrator's and the victim's perspectives. Using a multi-method approach, the project is expected to show how objectification hampers women in their personal and professional lives. Importantly, the project aims to go beyond identifying ....Understanding and reducing the impact of sexual objectification. Violence and discrimination are serious problems facing women in Australia. This project examines how sexual objectification contributes to these problems, investigating the process from both the perpetrator's and the victim's perspectives. Using a multi-method approach, the project is expected to show how objectification hampers women in their personal and professional lives. Importantly, the project aims to go beyond identifying the harm caused by objectification to start examining ways in which it can be reduced and women can protect themselves from its effects. This is expected to provide insight into a previously unstudied psychological cause of violence and discrimination against women, and map ways of reducing its harm.Read moreRead less
Resilience and coping: Predicting positive well-being following life transitions and major life events among young Australian women. The project addresses a major issue for the well-being of Australians. It examines positive well-being and resilience, which provides an important complement to other work on diagnosed mental illness. Mental health problems are a major problem in Australia, contributing to unemployment, family problems, and risky life choices. By identifying people who maintain goo ....Resilience and coping: Predicting positive well-being following life transitions and major life events among young Australian women. The project addresses a major issue for the well-being of Australians. It examines positive well-being and resilience, which provides an important complement to other work on diagnosed mental illness. Mental health problems are a major problem in Australia, contributing to unemployment, family problems, and risky life choices. By identifying people who maintain good psychological health despite life stress, it can help in prevention and early intervention. It focuses on the important years of early adulthood, when people are dealing with new relationships, employment, and family formation. Its focus on women reflects the fact that women and men experience different life courses, often diverging markedly when the first child arrives.Read moreRead less
Participation in mathematics and science careers: longitudinal study of motivational and contextual predictors. Australia faces escalating shortages of suitably qualified individuals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, negatively impacting economic and national wellbeing. Why young people are losing interest and not pursuing these fields will be determined in three complementary longitudinal studies spanning ages 12 up to their early 30's.
Impaired jury decision-making: The impact of stereotypes in the Australian court room. There have been calls for reforms and overhauls of the jury system in Australia because of concerns about the ability of jurors to reach objective verdicts and concerns about the costs associated with the jury system; however the consequences of these proposed changes for jury functioning are not well understood. This research will provide a better understanding those factors that contribute to impaired jury d ....Impaired jury decision-making: The impact of stereotypes in the Australian court room. There have been calls for reforms and overhauls of the jury system in Australia because of concerns about the ability of jurors to reach objective verdicts and concerns about the costs associated with the jury system; however the consequences of these proposed changes for jury functioning are not well understood. This research will provide a better understanding those factors that contribute to impaired jury decision-making, helping to avoid the very real risk of any changes to the jury system resulting in profound and unpredictable changes to the functioning of the legal system. By doing so, the concerns of people calling for drastic reforms can be addressed without socially and economically expensive overhauls of the jury system.Read moreRead less
How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers ....How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers as to the most effective form of intervention, as well as increased theoretical understanding of the operation of disclaimer labels.Read moreRead less