Depression, Anxiety And Somatic Distress: Syndromal Structure And Relationship To Onset Of Clinical Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$224,085.00
Summary
The project aims to identify the principal dimensions or syndromes underlying symptoms of psychological distress (negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue). We plan to use an intensive longitudinal design to examine how these syndromes develop into episodes of clinical disorder. We expect that episodes of disorder will be predicted not only by closely related syndromes, but also by other causally related syndromes - for example, a period of increased anxiety and ....The project aims to identify the principal dimensions or syndromes underlying symptoms of psychological distress (negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue). We plan to use an intensive longitudinal design to examine how these syndromes develop into episodes of clinical disorder. We expect that episodes of disorder will be predicted not only by closely related syndromes, but also by other causally related syndromes - for example, a period of increased anxiety and stress may precipitate a depressive disorder. This information is important for understanding the aetiology of clinical disorders, for refining diagnostic criteria, and for the prediction and prevention of disorder. We also plan to collect information about the degree of disability that people suffer and the type of health services they access at various levels of severity of each syndrome. We expect that subclinical levels of some syndromes will be associated with substantial impairment and service usage, but that for other syndromes impairment will be minimal until clinical levels of severity are reached. This information will give a more complete picture of the community-wide burden of emotional distress, and will be directly relevant to health planning and policy.Read moreRead less
Keeping Kids On Track: An Initiative Developing The Resilience Of Aboriginal Students During A Critical Transition Phase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,435.00
Summary
This initiative aims to build Indigenous children�s capacity to cope with life�s challenges and promote resilience through social and emotional skill development, cognitive development, community engagement and appropriate health provision. This will build children�s capacity as improved educational and employment outcomes accrue in the longer term. A model of the process will be developed. Indigenous researchers and community members will take part in governance and conduct of the study.
Strengthening Social And Emotional Wellbeing Of Australian Aboriginal People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
The primary aim of this project is to strengthen Aboriginal people's wellbeing by understanding the development of their racial identity and related self-esteem and how these mediate mental wellbeing.
Supraspinal Neural Adaptations In The Transition From Acute Injury To Chronic Pain And Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,360.00
Summary
Although there have been significant clinical advances in the management of injury and the control of acute pain following tauma, many people still develop disabling conditions of chronic pain. Chronic pain and disability occurs even though the acute signs of trauma have subsided and injuries have healed. People with chronic pain conditions not only experience ongoing changes in sensation (ie., most commonly lowered thresholds for pain, touch evoked pain and spontaneous pain), they also endure a ....Although there have been significant clinical advances in the management of injury and the control of acute pain following tauma, many people still develop disabling conditions of chronic pain. Chronic pain and disability occurs even though the acute signs of trauma have subsided and injuries have healed. People with chronic pain conditions not only experience ongoing changes in sensation (ie., most commonly lowered thresholds for pain, touch evoked pain and spontaneous pain), they also endure a number of disabilities for example disrupted family and social relations, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, weight changes, loss of sex drive, changes in menstrual cycle, the inability to cope with stressors, and often moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The proposed research aims to (i) identify changes in brain circuits which are responsible for producing these patterns of pain and disability following injury and (ii) attempts to selectively reverse some of these disabilities by reversing the brain changes. The results of this study will offer for the first time a rational basis for improving the outcomes of injury and pain management in the acute phase of trauma, by identifying and reversing the critical changes which predict the advent of the state state of chronic pain and disability.Read moreRead less