Enhancing psychosocial adaptation after temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures. Preliminary data from individuals who have experienced temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures suggests that (a) psychosocial adjustment problems may occur even when the neurological outcome is excellent, and (b) satisfaction with surgery/ post-surgery adjustment relates to perceived control over pre-surgery decision- making. The aim of this study is to improve pre-surgery pro ....Enhancing psychosocial adaptation after temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures. Preliminary data from individuals who have experienced temporal lobectomy surgery for control of epilepsy seizures suggests that (a) psychosocial adjustment problems may occur even when the neurological outcome is excellent, and (b) satisfaction with surgery/ post-surgery adjustment relates to perceived control over pre-surgery decision- making. The aim of this study is to improve pre-surgery procedure and post-surgery support by investigating psychosocial outcomes of epilepsy surgery, and relating these to perceived and actual pre-surgery preparation, including education, counselling and social support. The results of the study will inform development of resource material for the medical profession and potential surgery clients, as well as contributing to improved understanding of the relationship between pre-surgery procedures and psychosocial outcomes.Read moreRead less
Very young adolescents and substance use: community and family vulnerabilities and healthy developmental transitions. This research will examine how families and communities protect very young children from early alcohol and tobacco use. The findings will lead to new prevention policies and programs that better meet the needs of vulnerable communities. This project will strengthen collaborations with leading international research centres in this area.
Investigating positive developmental transitions in emerging adulthood within the Australian Temperament Project cohort: Models, temporal patterns and predictors. Follow-up of the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) cohort provides a rare opportunity for robust investigation of positive development in emerging adulthood. High rates of risk taking and health disruption characterise this period. Identification of successful personal and social adjustment characteristics will reveal the potential ....Investigating positive developmental transitions in emerging adulthood within the Australian Temperament Project cohort: Models, temporal patterns and predictors. Follow-up of the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) cohort provides a rare opportunity for robust investigation of positive development in emerging adulthood. High rates of risk taking and health disruption characterise this period. Identification of successful personal and social adjustment characteristics will reveal the potential for positive development to prevent or ameliorate adjustment difficulties. Analysis of the extensive ATP dataset will identify child and adolescent predictors of positive development. The resulting knowledge of the role of earlier life characteristics and circumstances for positive development can help frame new health promotion initiatives. The study will also advance theory by developing an integrated model of positive development.Read moreRead less
The efficacy of a referral and physical activity program for survivors of prostate cancer. Although survival rates of prostate cancer are approximately 83 per cent with earlier detection and improved treatment modalities, prostate cancer survivors are at an increased risk of dying from co-morbidities, which may be prevented or ameliorated through participation in physical activity. This project aims to establish an effective and sustainable referral and physical activity program to improve the ....The efficacy of a referral and physical activity program for survivors of prostate cancer. Although survival rates of prostate cancer are approximately 83 per cent with earlier detection and improved treatment modalities, prostate cancer survivors are at an increased risk of dying from co-morbidities, which may be prevented or ameliorated through participation in physical activity. This project aims to establish an effective and sustainable referral and physical activity program to improve the health outcomes of prostate cancer survivors by utilising the influence of clinicians in their delivery of information to patients. This concept of a referral and physical activity program has the potential to translate across all cancer tumour streams to reduce the physiological and psychological burden associated with living with cancer.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101107
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,744.00
Summary
Ahead of the Game: Balancing the Gaming Industry and Public Interest. This project battles the risks and embraces the benefits of digital gaming. There is a risk that one loses control of their gaming and prioritises it over other duties. This is offset by the benefits of using digital games for health. It is the first to decode and use the health data embedded in the connection between the gamer and their game persona (avatar). It does this by concurrently assessing important gamer, family, cul ....Ahead of the Game: Balancing the Gaming Industry and Public Interest. This project battles the risks and embraces the benefits of digital gaming. There is a risk that one loses control of their gaming and prioritises it over other duties. This is offset by the benefits of using digital games for health. It is the first to decode and use the health data embedded in the connection between the gamer and their game persona (avatar). It does this by concurrently assessing important gamer, family, cultural and game structure features. Findings will prompt the ethical growth of the Australian Health games industry and inform strategies to combat gaming disorder by tailoring games to users' needs. This will uniquely benefit Australians by re-directing this growing industry to better serve the public interest.Read moreRead less
A theory-based approach to the design and evaluation of anti-speeding messages to target high risk road users' attitudes and behaviours. The proposed research offers three significant benefits. First, this research will develop an improved approach to aid the design and testing of road safety anti-speeding messages. Second, the research will identify the most effective advertising messages for different groups of drivers at risk of being involved in road-related trauma such as young males. Third ....A theory-based approach to the design and evaluation of anti-speeding messages to target high risk road users' attitudes and behaviours. The proposed research offers three significant benefits. First, this research will develop an improved approach to aid the design and testing of road safety anti-speeding messages. Second, the research will identify the most effective advertising messages for different groups of drivers at risk of being involved in road-related trauma such as young males. Third, through improving the persuasiveness of anti-speeding advertising messages, the research may contribute to a reduction in the extent to which drivers engage in speeding which, in turn, may lessen speeding-related road trauma which would have significant benefits not only for road safety but for public health more broadly. Read moreRead less
Enhancing adolescent mental health through positive education. Positive education is a preventative, strengths-based approach to address the mental health needs of young people in schools. This project will use innovative methods to examine the contribution of positive education to adolescent mental health, and to social and learning outcomes; and will also guide effective and widespread dissemination of positive education, more generally.
Combining Community Based Social Marketing and Technological Innovation to Combat Wood-Smoke Pollution in Regional Australia. There is considerable evidence to suggest that wood smoke pollution represents a serious health threat. This project will provide valuable information about the relative effectiveness of social marketing and technology-based interventions to reduce wood smoke pollution, and how these interventions may be combined to maximise their impact. The resulting improvements in ai ....Combining Community Based Social Marketing and Technological Innovation to Combat Wood-Smoke Pollution in Regional Australia. There is considerable evidence to suggest that wood smoke pollution represents a serious health threat. This project will provide valuable information about the relative effectiveness of social marketing and technology-based interventions to reduce wood smoke pollution, and how these interventions may be combined to maximise their impact. The resulting improvements in air quality may produce substantial health benefits for the residents of Australian communities that depend heavily on wood as a domestic heating fuel during winter months. Read moreRead less
Deadly Start: Enabling Preschoolers’ Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. This project aims to test the effectiveness of a new preschool oral language, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing intervention for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students using powerful interdisciplinary approaches.
The project generates new knowledge about enabling preschool children to have a deadly start to literacy, numeracy and wellbeing, capitalising on research-derived interventions.
Expected outcomes include ....Deadly Start: Enabling Preschoolers’ Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. This project aims to test the effectiveness of a new preschool oral language, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing intervention for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students using powerful interdisciplinary approaches.
The project generates new knowledge about enabling preschool children to have a deadly start to literacy, numeracy and wellbeing, capitalising on research-derived interventions.
Expected outcomes include salient intervention and measures and advances in preschool education that enable a deadly start.
The benefits encompass identifying effective intervention and drivers that support a deadly start to literacy and numeracy, and having adaptive motivation, new theory and developmentally appropriate measures.Read moreRead less
Cognitive, behavioural and educational outcomes of fetal antiepileptic drug exposure. The study falls within the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, in particular the Priority Goal - A Healthy Start to Life. The research will yield information crucial to our understanding of the effects of fetal AED exposure on cognitive and behavioural development in the significant number of affected Australian children born each year. It will enhance the nation's ability to de ....Cognitive, behavioural and educational outcomes of fetal antiepileptic drug exposure. The study falls within the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, in particular the Priority Goal - A Healthy Start to Life. The research will yield information crucial to our understanding of the effects of fetal AED exposure on cognitive and behavioural development in the significant number of affected Australian children born each year. It will enhance the nation's ability to develop strategies for prevention, surveillance and remediation of adverse outcomes in early childhood, thus supporting the Government's National Agenda for Early Childhood initiative. As a consequence educational assistance can be targeted for those children likely to experience difficulties. Read moreRead less