Improving the identification of juvenile firesetters at high risk of recidivism. Young firesetters are not only responsible for some fifth of all fires, they also are at risk of becoming adult arsonists. Australian fire services provide educational programs for young firesetters but about a third may continue to light fires. This project will allow clarification of variables most associated with ongoing firesetting behaviour (recidivism), better prediction of high risk juveniles, understanding ....Improving the identification of juvenile firesetters at high risk of recidivism. Young firesetters are not only responsible for some fifth of all fires, they also are at risk of becoming adult arsonists. Australian fire services provide educational programs for young firesetters but about a third may continue to light fires. This project will allow clarification of variables most associated with ongoing firesetting behaviour (recidivism), better prediction of high risk juveniles, understanding of the predictive value of a screening tool, valid assessment of recidivism rates and an increased understanding of mental health agency involvement with firesetter families. These outcomes will help improve programs involving juvenile firesetters, thereby reducing arson and the high cost of uncontrolled fire.Read moreRead less
Enhancing employee safety in response to workplace violence. International and national trends indicate that workplace violence is a significant growing problem. Poorly managed, victims can suffer physical and psychological trauma, and employers risk increases in workers compensation claims, insurance premiums, employee turnover, sick leave and low morale. There is a dearth of research into the effectiveness of training employees to predict, control and defuse aggressive incidents, yet this is a ....Enhancing employee safety in response to workplace violence. International and national trends indicate that workplace violence is a significant growing problem. Poorly managed, victims can suffer physical and psychological trauma, and employers risk increases in workers compensation claims, insurance premiums, employee turnover, sick leave and low morale. There is a dearth of research into the effectiveness of training employees to predict, control and defuse aggressive incidents, yet this is a significant priority for many industries. This project will develop and evaluate a new best practice aggression minimisation training program with 200 mental health employees by an RCT assessing gains in safety, knowledge, skills and confidence in managing violence.Read moreRead less
Managing increasing challenges in motorcycle safety: strengthening research evidence for effective policy and countermeasure development. Through in-depth crash investigations and motorcyclist interviews, this project will determine risk factors for serious motorcycle crashes in an environment of increased riding, more older riders, and changing traffic conditions. Outcomes will be evidence-based strategies to improve road system management and road safety.
The Australian naturalistic driving study: innovation in road safety research and policy. A revolutionary new approach, the naturalistic driving study, will investigate what people actually do when they drive, in normal and safety-critical situations. It will provide Australia with answers to some intractable, high priority, road safety problems that cannot be answered using current methods, thereby saving hundreds of lives.
A longitudinal study of neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level manganese exposure. This study will investigate the neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level exposure to mangenese particulate. Previous studies have indicated symptomology of high level exposure, but there is contention in the literature regarding the effects of low levels of exposure. Our aim is to refine measures of cumulative exposure and develop a more comprehensive and senstitive testing protocol t ....A longitudinal study of neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level manganese exposure. This study will investigate the neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level exposure to mangenese particulate. Previous studies have indicated symptomology of high level exposure, but there is contention in the literature regarding the effects of low levels of exposure. Our aim is to refine measures of cumulative exposure and develop a more comprehensive and senstitive testing protocol than has been reported thus far. These measures and protocols will be incorporated into a longitudinal design, which has not been conducted in research studies to date. In addition, a database of exposure variables will be developed to facilitate long-term, accurate research into the effects of the low levels of exposure.Read moreRead less
Cerebral plasticity or early vulnerability? Identifying critical periods for childhood development and recovery. The primary aim of the study is to identify critical time periods during brain development when an insult will have more deleterious consequences for recovery and outcome. The study will also examine the impact of other potential influences to recovery following early brain disease, and determine whether their impact varies across development. Finally, the study will investigate wh ....Cerebral plasticity or early vulnerability? Identifying critical periods for childhood development and recovery. The primary aim of the study is to identify critical time periods during brain development when an insult will have more deleterious consequences for recovery and outcome. The study will also examine the impact of other potential influences to recovery following early brain disease, and determine whether their impact varies across development. Finally, the study will investigate whether specific cognitive and behavioural domains are differentially effected, depending on their maturity at the time of brain insult. Findings from this study will inform the development of conceptual models of early brain insult and recovery of function, and contribute to clinical practice.Read moreRead less
Preventing injuries in crashes involving young drivers: development and evaluation of impulse control training. Road crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for young Australians, at tremendous economic, social and personal cost. This project has the potential to reduce this problem by developing the first driver training to fast-track development of mental processes that contribute to the most serious young driver crashes. Further, the industry partners are committed to translating the ....Preventing injuries in crashes involving young drivers: development and evaluation of impulse control training. Road crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for young Australians, at tremendous economic, social and personal cost. This project has the potential to reduce this problem by developing the first driver training to fast-track development of mental processes that contribute to the most serious young driver crashes. Further, the industry partners are committed to translating the research outcomes into policy and practice. This cutting-edge research will place Australia at the forefront of driver training research, and enhance road safety research capacity.Read moreRead less
Strengthening community partnerships to promote adolescent school engagement and prevent problems such as alcohol misuse and violence. The project will reduce community rates of adolescent school non-attendance, adolescent alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour. Adolescent school exclusion, alcohol use and antisocial behaviour are highly prevalent in Australia, and can be reduced using a variety of strategies that are coordinated at the school and community level. The project will decrease adol ....Strengthening community partnerships to promote adolescent school engagement and prevent problems such as alcohol misuse and violence. The project will reduce community rates of adolescent school non-attendance, adolescent alcohol misuse and antisocial behaviour. Adolescent school exclusion, alcohol use and antisocial behaviour are highly prevalent in Australia, and can be reduced using a variety of strategies that are coordinated at the school and community level. The project will decrease adolescent problems through community improvements in child and adolescent protective influences and reductions in risk influences. Furthermore, the project will equip communities with the capacity to learn how to identify and implement strategies to address the major influences that have the potential to reduce adolescent behaviour problems.Read moreRead less
Ageing drivers: Cognitive ageing and technology. This project aims to enhance our understanding of whether cognitive changes associated with ageing impacts older drivers' use of emerging vehicle automation and assistive technologies. Through analysis of insurance claims databases, a large consumer survey and a naturalistic driving study, evidence will be obtained on how ageing and cognition interact with assistive technology. Findings will inform older drivers, government policy makers and indus ....Ageing drivers: Cognitive ageing and technology. This project aims to enhance our understanding of whether cognitive changes associated with ageing impacts older drivers' use of emerging vehicle automation and assistive technologies. Through analysis of insurance claims databases, a large consumer survey and a naturalistic driving study, evidence will be obtained on how ageing and cognition interact with assistive technology. Findings will inform older drivers, government policy makers and industry on ageing, cognitive changes and the use of assistive technology in vehicles. This will provide benefits for older drivers by promoting optimal driving which will enhance social engagement as well as safety. Read moreRead less
Hazard Perception and Cognitive Ageing in Older Drivers: Investigation and Development. Older road users have high fatal crash rates that cost the Australian economy $500 million each year. However, driving cessation is associated with depression and reduced social participation among older adults. The present study will benefit older road users and the wider community by identifying which traffic hazards pose the greatest difficulty for older drivers and providing information that may lead to a ....Hazard Perception and Cognitive Ageing in Older Drivers: Investigation and Development. Older road users have high fatal crash rates that cost the Australian economy $500 million each year. However, driving cessation is associated with depression and reduced social participation among older adults. The present study will benefit older road users and the wider community by identifying which traffic hazards pose the greatest difficulty for older drivers and providing information that may lead to adaptation of roads, and vehicles to reduce crash risk among older Australians. This will reduce injury and healthcare costs and allow older Australians to maintain higher levels of social participation.Read moreRead less