ORCID Profile
0000-0001-7531-5312
Current Organisations
Southern Cross University
,
Bond University
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Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Children who are exposed to trauma often develop difficulties with reflective functioning, affect, and emotion regulation. These problems are thought to arise from and are reflective of disruptions in the process of mentalization, or the human capacity to interpret and reflect upon the thoughts, feelings, wishes, and intentions of oneself and others. This scoping review sought to describe the empirical support for focusing on mentalization processes in psychotherapy for children who have been exposed to trauma. Two independent researchers searched electronic databases, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and Cochrane. Search terms child, trauma, mentalization and mentalization-based therapy were applied. A total of 425 studies were screened against the inclusion criteria, to include 18 studies comprising quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, naturalistic, case-control, and case studies. In all, 3 themes were identified across the articles: (a) trauma and mentalization, (b) measurement of mentalization, and (c) charting recovery. The literature suggests the role of mentalization treatment in the remission of symptoms for internalizing and externalizing disorders and shaping mentalization deficits over time. Mentalization focused treatments may also improve reflective functioning, emotional regulation capacity and the quality of attachment. The implementation of a child mentalization-based model as a preventative intervention may contribute to increased positive outcomes for vulnerable children. This scoping review presents an overview of the evidence for program developers, mental health services, family support services and those in independent practice that wish to adopt a mentalization approach in child psychotherapy. Future systematic reviews are needed to support this evidence.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: This article reports on original research investigating teacher wellbeing while teaching mathematics in relation to teacher identity. Using survey data from mathematics teachers (N = 402) participating in a teacher of mathematics support initiative, teacher wellbeing was operationally defined as the experience of wellbeing whilst teaching, allowing an applied understanding of wellbeing in relation to the activity of teaching. Teacher identity was construed from prior research by the authors (Willis et al., in: Math Educ Res J, 10.1007/s13394-021-00391-w, 2021) and operationalised for the current study in terms of a specific teacher of mathematics identity (ToMI) construct. The main research question for this investigation was directed at how well the ToMI construct, as a wellbeing variable, was able to predict teacher wellbeing while teaching, viewed as an ‘in situ’ or ‘active’ (applied) measure of wellbeing. Identity-Based Motivation (IBM) theory was used to frame the research, as it helps explain how the degree of congruency between identity and wellbeing may influence motivation to teach. Results indicated that although several important factors relate significantly to teacher of mathematics wellbeing, the ToMI construct predicted teacher wellbeing far above the ability of all other study factors combined, suggesting that a focus on the development of a professional identity for teachers is fundamental to the support of teacher wellbeing in schools. Suggestions for investigating this focus at the school level are also provided.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-10-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S10995-021-03251-Y
Abstract: Pressure to lose weight can increase the risk of developing disordered eating behaviours, negative body image and depressive symptomatology. Eating intuitively may counteract these negative outcomes. This research examined the unique relationship between intuitive eating and disordered eating on body mass index (BMI), body image and depressive symptoms for women of young children. A survey of women with a child aged between six and 48 months, included the Intuitive Eating Scale, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Body Shape Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted as an omnibus test to estimate the effect of intuitive and disordered eating on BMI, negative body image and depressive symptoms. Of the 419 s le (M age = 32.06), 32% were classified with disordered and 32% with intuitive eating. MANOVA and regression analysis found disordered eating positively associated with depressive symptoms, (β = 0.303) and negative body image (β = 0.318). Intuitive eating was associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = - 0.183) and negative body image (β = - 0.615). Disordered eating (β = - 0.194) and intuitive eating (β = - 0.586) both contributed to lower BMI, with the association stronger for intuitive eating. The early parenting period involves a high risk for developing disordered eating behaviours. Eating patterns are modifiable factors, illustrating the potential for positive and preventive health outcomes through adopting intuitive eating behaviours. There is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to promote physical and psychological health including for women in the early parenting period.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Anonymous student evaluation of teaching (SET) is a universal practice in higher education. We conducted a mixed-methods approach to investigate the nature and impact of anonymous SET commentary in the Australian higher education sector. Respondents shared a range of detailed SET exemplars, which revealed the extent of hurtful, defamatory and abusive commentary made by students. This paper reports the self-perceived impact of these on the health and wellbeing of academics. The majority of respondents reported that anonymous narrative comments contributed to workplace stress. There were no significant differences for gender. Younger academics were more likely to report the process of SET as stressful. Four themes were identified from the narrative responses: stress, distress, disorder and coping. These themes highlight the mental distress and impacts on well-being from repeated exposure to uncivil commentary made in SET by students. This distress was exacerbated by the failure of many employing universities to take substantial action to remedy or limit exposure to uncivil behaviour. The current system of anonymous SET has little validity and instead may operate as a vehicle for unfettered incivility directed towards teaching staff. The mental health impacts are significant for some and may impact the recruitment, retention and renewal of academic teaching staff into the future.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Occupational stress has increased in higher education academic staff over several decades, and this has been particularly acute in Australia and New Zealand. This scoping review sought to understand the causes and impacts of occupational stress among Australian and New Zealand academics. Eight EBSCO databases were searched for key terms: academic and occupational stress and Australia and New Zealand. Twenty relevant papers were sourced, from which five common themes were extracted: (i) balancing an academic workload, (ii) casualisation of the workforce, (iii) the managerialism phenomenon, (iv) transition from field of practice to academia, and (v) academic and other staff. Further research in the Australian and New Zealand context is required to identify the nature of specific stressors and how these impact health and well-being.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Epidemiological and intervention studies in nutritional psychiatry suggest that the risk of mood disorders is associated with what we eat. However, few studies use a person-centred approach to explore the food and mood relationship. In this qualitative study of 50 Australian partici-pants, we explored in iduals’ experiences with food and mood as revealed during focus group discussions. Using a thematic template analysis, we identified three themes in the food and mood relationship (i) social context: familial and cultural influences of food and mood, (ii) Social economics: time, finance and food security, and (iii) food nostalgia: unlocking memories that impact mood. Participants suggested that nutrients, food components or food patterns may not be the only way that food impacts mood. Rather, they described the social context of who, with, and where food is eaten, that time, finances and access to healthy fresh foods and bittersweet memories of foods shared with loved ones all impacted their mood. Findings suggest that quantitative stud-ies examining the links between diet and mood should look beyond nutritional factors and give increased attention to the cultural, social, economic, and identity aspects of diet.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Pesticides used in agriculture are widely considered to be the most cost-effective way to reduce undesirable plants and animal pests and increase crop yields. However, these economic benefits should be evaluated against any deleterious impacts on the natural environment and human health. While a great deal of attention is paid to the impact of agricultural runoff, more studies are needed on the impacts of pesticides on local waterways. The aim of this study was to: (i) develop a methodology to determine which pesticides were being used in local agriculture in the Byron Shire, Australia, and (ii) search the literature for evidence of the impact of these chemicals on local waterways. After a comprehensive search involving multiple government databases, three herbicides with potentially high toxicity on the aquatic ecosystems and humans, which are used for the treatment of crops cultivated on the agricultural land in the Byron Shire, Australia, were selected for this review: bromoxynil, diquat and paraquat. In the systematic scoping review, two databases were searched (Scopus and Web of Science) for publications between January 2008 and April 2019. From 160 articles identified, 36 papers were selected for inclusion. The evidence of harmful effects at realistic field concentrations (concentrations that are within the recommended safety range for use in the environment) was found for all selected herbicides, but not on all organisms. In aquatic environments, diquat was found to be toxic to snails and bromoxynil to microalgae. The clearest and most consistent evidence was found for paraquat. At realistic field concentrations, paraquat: (i) severely inhibited healthy bacterial growth (E. coli), (ii) distorted tropical freshwater plankton communities, and (iii) increased fish kills (common carp) three times more than the weed (water hyacinth) that it was employed to control. Of particular concern is that paraquat has been banned from sale in the European Union and many countries around the world but remains available in Australia and is likely in use in the Byron Shire. While there are existing Australian government regulations restricting the use of paraquat in agriculture, further work is required to scope the extent of its use, the effectiveness of these regulations and the amount of paraquat entering the environment. This study provides a methodology that can be used to identify pesticides that are likely to be in local use and to identify evidence of any negative impacts on the health of local waterways.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Within higher education student evaluations of teaching (SET) are used to inform evaluations of performance of courses and teachers. An anonymous online survey was constructed and implemented using Qualtrics. This study was situated within a more extensive study investigating the impact of narrative SET comments on teaching quality and the health and wellbeing of academic staff. This paper reports specifically on two open questions that were designed to elicit ex les of non-constructive and offensive anonymous narrative feedback. Five themes were identified: allegations insults comments about appearance, attire and accent projections and blame and threats and punishment. These are represented in non-redacted form. Personally destructive, defamatory, abusive and hurtful comments were commonly reported. These kinds of comments may have adverse consequences for the well-being of teaching staff, could contribute to occupational stress and in some cases could be considered libellous. The high prevalence of offensive comments accessible to and shared by teachers may be a reflection of the anonymity afforded to respondents using internet surveys, resulting in de-in iduation and enabling some respondents to give voice to ‘hate speech’ which has no place in evaluations of teaching.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-08-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S13384-022-00553-0
Abstract: This article reports on original research investigating teacher wellbeing while teaching mathematics in relation to teacher identity. Using survey data from mathematics teachers ( N = 402) participating in a teacher of mathematics support initiative, teacher wellbeing was operationally defined as the experience of wellbeing whilst teaching, allowing an applied understanding of wellbeing in relation to the activity of teaching. Teacher identity was construed from prior research by the authors (Willis et al., in: Math Educ Res J, 10.1007/s13394-021-00391-w, 2021) and operationalised for the current study in terms of a specific teacher of mathematics identity (ToMI) construct. The main research question for this investigation was directed at how well the ToMI construct, as a wellbeing variable, was able to predict teacher wellbeing while teaching, viewed as an ‘in situ’ or ‘active’ (applied) measure of wellbeing. Identity-Based Motivation (IBM) theory was used to frame the research, as it helps explain how the degree of congruency between identity and wellbeing may influence motivation to teach. Results indicated that although several important factors relate significantly to teacher of mathematics wellbeing, the ToMI construct predicted teacher wellbeing far above the ability of all other study factors combined, suggesting that a focus on the development of a professional identity for teachers is fundamental to the support of teacher wellbeing in schools. Suggestions for investigating this focus at the school level are also provided.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 16-12-2021
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-09-2023
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 20-04-2023
Abstract: Nostalgia - the bittersweet reliving of the past – has been linked to social connection and psychological well-being. Rather than being a pathological state, nostalgia is vital in maintaining and strengthening social connections. Although food consumption is often an intrinsically social experience, relatively little research has examined how in iduals experience and understand how their food consumption relates to their feelings of nostalgia. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight in iduals to explore their experiences with nostalgia, food and mood. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three key themes from the data: (i) The bittersweet experiences of food-centred nostalgia - in iduals’ descriptions of food-centred nostalgia and how it impacted their mood both positively and negatively (ii) social connection and identity continuity - participants’ description of food-centred nostalgia and how this provides an opportunity for social connection and identity continuity throughout life, which positively influences mood, and (iii) the role of and relationship with food - in idual descriptions of the important role that nostalgic food plays in their life, in addition to their relationship with food, and how this impacts mood. Understanding the positive component of nostalgic foods allowed in iduals to bolster positive mood states with food-centred nostalgia, increasing their quality of life.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 27-07-2023
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522002410
Abstract: Depression is a chronic and complex condition experienced by over 300 million people worldwide. While research on the impact of nutrition on chronic physical illness is well documented, there is growing interest in the role of dietary patterns for those experiencing symptoms of depression. This study aims to examine the association of diet quality (Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies version 2) and depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiological Studies for Depression short form) of young Australian women over 6 years at two time points, 2003 ( n 9081, Mean age = 27·6) and 2009 ( n 8199, Mean age = 33·7) using secondary data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. A linear mixed-effects model found a small and significant inverse association of diet quality on depressive symptoms ( β = −0·03, 95 % CI (−0·04, −0·02)) after adjusting for covarying factors such as BMI, social functioning, alcohol and smoking status. These findings suggest that the continuation of a healthy dietary pattern may be protective of depressive symptoms. Caution should be applied in interpreting these findings due to the small effect sizes. More longitudinal studies are needed to assess temporal relationships between dietary quality and depression.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-04-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-02-2023
Abstract: Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms are associated in cross-sectional and prospective-designed research. However, limited research has considered depression risk related to meat-based and plant-based dietary patterns. This study explores the association between diet quality and depressive symptoms across omnivore, vegan, and vegetarian dietary patterns. A cross-sectional online survey utilised the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CESD-20) to measure diet quality and depressive symptoms, respectively. A total of 496 participants identified as either omnivores (n = 129), vegetarians (n = 151), or vegans (n = 216). ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc corrections indicates that dietary quality was significantly different between groups F(2, 493) = 23.61, p 0.001 for omnivores and vegetarians and omnivores and vegans. Diet quality was highest in the vegan s le, followed by vegetarian and omnivore patterns. The results show a significant, moderately negative relationship between higher diet quality and lower depressive symptoms (r = −0.385, p 0.001) across groups. Hierarchical regression showed that diet quality accounted for 13% of the variability in depressive symptoms for the omnivore s le, 6% for vegetarians, and 8% for vegans. This study suggests that diet quality in a meat-based or plant-based diet could be a modifiable lifestyle factor with the potential to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. The study indicates a greater protective role of a high-quality plant-based diet and lower depressive symptoms. Further intervention research is needed to understand the bi-directional relationship between diet quality and depressive symptoms across dietary patterns.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/BJHP.12656
Abstract: In Australia, women report higher rates of depressive symptoms than men. Research suggests that dietary patterns rich in fresh fruit and vegetables could protect against depressive symptoms. The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest that consuming two servings of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day is optimal for overall health. However, this consumption level is often difficult for those experiencing depressive symptoms to achieve. This study aims to compare diet quality and depressive symptoms in Australian women over time using (I) two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day (FV7), and (ii) two serves of fruit and three serves of vegetables per day (FV5). A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health over 12 years at three time points 2006 ( n = 9145, Mean age = 30.6, SD = 1.5), 2015 ( n = 7186, Mean age = 39.7, SD = 1.5), and 2018 ( n = 7121, Mean age = 42.4, SD = 1.5). A linear mixed effects model found, after adjusting for covarying factors, a small significant inverse association between both FV7 ( b = −.54, 95% CI = −.78, −.29) and FV5 ( b = −.38, 95% CI = −.50, −.26) in depressive symptoms. These findings suggest an association between fruit and vegetable consumption and decreased depressive symptoms. The small effect sizes indicate caution should be taken in interpreting these results. The findings also suggest that current Australian Dietary Guideline recommendations need not be prescriptive to two fruit and five vegetables for impact on depressive symptoms. Future research could evaluate reduced vegetable consumption (three serves per day) in identifying the protective threshold for depressive symptoms.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-06-2021
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Student evaluation of teaching (SET) has become a ubiquitous feature of higher education. The attainment and maintenance of positive SET is essential for most teaching staff to obtain and maintain tenure. It is not uncommon for teachers to receive offensive and non-constructive commentary unrelated to teaching quality. Regular exposure to SET contributes to stress and adversely impacts mental health and well-being. We surveyed Australian teaching academics in 2021, and in this paper, we explore the perceived impacts of SET on the teaching and learning experience, academic standards and quality. Many respondents perceived that SET contributes to an erosion of standards and inflation of grades. A thematic analysis of open-ended questions revealed potential mechanisms for these impacts. These include enabling a culture of incivility, elevating stress and anxiety in teaching staff, and pressure to change approaches to teaching and assessment to achieve the highest scores. Playing the SET game involves balancing a commitment to quality and standards with concessions to ensure optimal student satisfaction. Anonymous SET is overvalued, erodes standards and contributes to incivility. The process of SET needs urgent reform.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-06-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S13384-022-00540-5
Abstract: This article reports on original research investigating the pivotal role that teachers play in student engagement, using a tri-dimensional framework. This framework identifies how teachers’ pedagogical choices impact student engagement in ways that influence students’ external behaviours, internal emotions and internal cognitions. A questionnaire was developed to explore secondary teachers’ ( n = 223) perceptions of pedagogies that support students’ behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement in the classroom. Findings revealed that female participants placed higher importance on pedagogies that support students’ cognitive and behavioural engagement, and participants with leadership roles placed higher importance on pedagogies that support students’ cognitive and emotional engagement. Also emerging from the research was a negative correlation between the importance teachers placed on pedagogies that support cognitive and behavioural engagement and their school’s ICSEA value (the measure of socio-educational advantage in Australian schools). Overall, results support the tri-dimensional framework of student engagement utilised in this study and provide a robust framework for future research to further explore teachers’ pedagogical choices and how these choices impact student engagement.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-06-2021
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Objectives Pressure to lose weight can increase the risk of developing disordered eating behaviours, negative body image and depressive symptomatology. Eating intuitively may counteract these negative outcomes. This research examined the unique relationship between intuitive eating and disordered eating on body mass index (BMI), body image and depressive symptoms for women of young children. Methods A survey of women with a child aged between six and 48 months, included the Intuitive Eating Scale, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Body Shape Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted as an omnibus test to estimate the effect of intuitive and disordered eating on BMI, negative body image and depressive symptoms. Results Of the 419 s le (M age = 32.06), 32% were classified with disordered and 32% with intuitive eating. MANOVA and regression analysis found disordered eating positively associated with depressive symptoms, (β = 0.303) and negative body image (β = 0.318). Intuitive eating was associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = − 0.183) and negative body image (β = − 0.615). Disordered eating (β = − 0.194) and intuitive eating (β = − 0.586) both contributed to lower BMI, with the association stronger for intuitive eating. Conclusion The early parenting period involves a high risk for developing disordered eating behaviours. Eating patterns are modifiable factors, illustrating the potential for positive and preventive health outcomes through adopting intuitive eating behaviours. There is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to promote physical and psychological health including for women in the early parenting period.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-11-2022
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 21-02-2023
Abstract: Women in the postpartum come under societal pressure to return to post-birth body shape and size. This pressure can lead to reduced body image satisfaction, self-esteem and mood. This systematic review explored the influences and outcomes of body image dissatisfaction during the postpartum. Four electronic databases were searched using keywords: postpartum OR postnatal OR “new mother” OR “breast feed*” AND “body image” OR “body dissatisfaction” OR “body satisfaction” OR “body attitude” OR “body shape”. Themes were organised from 55 international studies using the socioecological model. Intrapersonal factors influencing body image satisfaction included body shape and size concerns, mental health experiences, attitudes and behaviours. Interpersonal, social support and sexual functioning. Institutional factors experiences with the healthcare system and returning to work. Societal factors cultural, media influences and social norms such as the thin ideal. Rather than body image dissatisfaction impacting in iduals in isolation, its influences and outcomes are identifiable across all four domains of the socioecological model. Future practice and research could include more intrapersonal, institutional, and societal influences and outcomes on body image dissatisfaction in the postpartum.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1037/PST0000341
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 13-03-2023
Abstract: Several times each year the teaching performance of academics at higher education institutions are evaluated through anonymous, online Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) surveys. Universities use SET surveys to inform decisions about staff promotion and tenure. But low student participation levels make the surveys impractical for this use. This scoping review aims to explore student motivations, perceptions, and opinions of SET survey completion. Five EBSCO® databases were searched using key words: “student evaluation of teaching” OR “student evaluation*” OR “student rating*” OR “student satisfaction” OR “teach* evaluation” OR “teach* effective*” OR “teach* performance OR “student feedback*” OR “student survey” AND “higher*education” OR university OR college OR tertiary. Thematic analysis of a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings derived from 21 papers identified five themes: (i) The value students’ place on SET, (ii) the knowledge that SET responses are acted upon to improve teaching, (iii) assurance of survey confidentiality and anonymity, (iv) incentives for completing SET, and (v) survey design and timing of survey release. Perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes about the value of SET are essential factors in motivating students to engage and complete SETs, particularly if surveys are easy to interpret, time for completion is incentivised, and responses are valued.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Organic foods are popular around the world, with some consumer segments willing to pay price premiums. This study determined the price differential of a shopping basket of organic versus conventional vegetarian foods using an observation of retail prices across 13 conventional retailers in a regional area of Australia. The organic basket had a 60% price premium, with premiums varying widely by retailer. The higher premiums for fruits, vegetables, and grains relative to dairy and sugar may be due to higher costs of marketing channel logistics.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Objective: To conduct a cross-sectional study of women in the postpartum period to identify relationships between intuitive eating, body image satisfaction, eating attitudes and depressive symptomology. Methods: Women with at least one child born in the previous 6–48 months were recruited via Facebook to complete an online survey which included: sociodemographic and health questions, the Intuitive Eating Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and hierarchical regressions used to examine associations between intuitive eating styles, body image satisfaction, eating attitudes and depressive symptomology. Results: Of the 419 women (mean age 32 ± 5.3 years), 32% were classified with intuitive eating styles and were more likely to have higher body image satisfaction (F = 476.80, p & .001), less disordered eating attitudes (F = 30.74, p & .001) and lower depressive symptomology (F = 4.14, p = .042). Conclusions: The postpartum period is a time of high risk for developing/maintaining eating styles that may negatively impact psychological health and well-being. Providing education to new mothers about the benefits of intuitive eating could positively influence their health and well-being.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-01-2023
Abstract: Epidemiological and intervention studies in nutritional psychiatry suggest that the risk of mood disorders is associated with what we eat. However, few studies use a person-centred approach to explore the food and mood relationship. In this qualitative study of 50 Australian participants, we explored in iduals’ experiences with food and mood as revealed during focus group discussions. Using a thematic template analysis, we identified three themes in the food and mood relationship: (i) social context: familial and cultural influences of food and mood, (ii) social economics: time, finance, and food security, and (iii) food nostalgia: unlocking memories that impact mood. Participants suggested that nutrients, food components or food patterns may not be the only way that food impacts mood. Rather, they described the social context of who, with, and where food is eaten, and that time, finances, and access to healthy fresh foods and bittersweet memories of foods shared with loved ones all impacted their mood. Findings suggest that quantitative studies examining the links between diet and mood should look beyond nutritional factors and give increased attention to the cultural, social, economic, and identity aspects of diet.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 25-06-2022
DOI: 10.1177/03057356211019477
Abstract: Professional popular musicians are at increased risk of psychological distress, substance use problems, and suicide, yet little evidence is available on effective psychotherapeutic practices to address these issues. This scoping review aims to understand how professional popular musicians perceive, engage with, and respond to mental health interventions. Four databases were searched, garnering a total of 310 articles. Of these, six met inclusion criteria. Four thematic categories were explored: (1) amenability of professional popular musicians to particular therapeutic approaches (2) attribution of treatment outcomes to tailored approaches (3) professional popular musicians’ perceived barriers to treatment and (4) recommendations for treatment approaches. The scoping review supports the importance of considering the characteristics of professional popular musicians as a distinct group with unique well-being needs, challenges, and strengths. There is a clear preference for tailored, affordable, and accessible approaches that consider the uniquities of musicianship and the need to explore the role of nonclinical support, such as friends, family, and industry peers.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 15-09-2022
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 25-07-2023
Abstract: Depression is a complex and multi-factorial disorder experienced by over 350 million people globally. High-quality dietary patterns - incorporating plant-based foods - have been associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. Despite eating a diet rich in plant foods, vegans and vegetarians report a higher risk of depressive symptoms than the general population. Eating behaviours can be part of socially oriented contexts, in which social connection can influence health outcomes, including lower risk of depressive symptoms. This study explored the association between diet quality, social connectedness and depressive symptoms in in iduals who have adhered to a vegan or vegetarian diet for their entire adult life. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 319 ‘vegetarians for life’ (51% vegan and 49% vegetarian) using the Dietary Screening Tool (DST), Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CESD-20). Model one of multiple hierarchical regression showed an inverse association between diet quality and depressive symptoms (β = -.23 95%CI: -.30, -.10) but was no longer significant after controlling for sociodemographic (geographical location, marital status, education level) and lifestyle factors (sleep quality, sunlight exposure and social connectedness). Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between diet quality and depressive symptoms was mediated by social connectedness (c’ = -.10, p & .001). These findings indicate that lifetime adherence to a plant-based diet may be positively associated with social interactions, fostering stronger connections with others that, in turn, play an important role in buffering the experience of depressive symptoms.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 21-10-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJNPH-2021-000332
Abstract: Plant-based dietary patterns (vegan and vegetarian) are often considered ‘healthy’ and have been associated with broad health benefits, including decreased risk of obesity and ill health (cardiovascular disease, blood glucose and type II diabetes). However, the association between plant-based diets and mood disorders such as depression remains largely equivocal. This cross-sectional study of 219 adults aged 18–44 (M=31.22, SD=7.40) explored the associations between an estimate of overall plant-based diet quality and depression in vegans (n=165) and vegetarians (n=54). Overall plant-based diet quality was associated with depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians F(1, 215)=13.71, p .001 accounting for 6% of the variation in depressive symptoms. For those without depression, higher diet quality was protective against depressive symptoms F(1, 125)=6.49, p=0.012. Conversely, for those with depression no association with diet quality was found F(1, 89)=0.01, p=0.963. These findings suggest that a high-quality plant-based diet may be protective against depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians. In line with emerging research between food and mental health, higher-quality dietary patterns are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms. Given the rapidly increasing rate of vegan and vegetarian food products within Australia, understanding the potential mechanisms of effects through which a plant-based diet may influence depressive symptoms is required.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: This article reports on original research investigating the pivotal role that teachers play in student engagement, using a tri-dimensional framework. This framework identifies how teachers’ pedagogical choices impact student engagement in ways that influence students’ external behaviours, internal emotions and internal cognitions. A questionnaire was developed to explore secondary teachers’ (n = 223) perceptions of pedagogies that support students’ behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement in the classroom. Findings revealed that female participants placed higher importance on pedagogies that support students’ cognitive and behavioural engagement, and participants with leadership roles placed higher importance on pedagogies that support students’ cognitive and emotional engagement. Also emerging from the research was a negative correlation between the importance teachers placed on pedagogies that support cognitive and behavioural engagement and their school’s ICSEA value (the measure of socio-educational advantage in Australian schools). Overall, results support the tri-dimensional framework of student engagement utilised in this study and provide a robust framework for future research to further explore teachers’ pedagogical choices and how these choices impact student engagement.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Background: There is a risk of malnutrition when older people are diagnosed with cancer, highlighting the need for nutritional assessments and appropriate management to be undertaken by healthcare professionals including nurses. The absence of a standardised assessment method and management of nutrition in older people creates a gap in clinical practice and warrants further research. Aim: The aim of this review was to explore the current nutritional assessment methods and evidencebased interventions for improving nutritional outcomes in older people with cancer. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using electronic databases. Papers were limited to those published in English between 2009 and 2021. Search terms included older adult, elder, geriatric, senior, cancer, nutrition, malnutrition, hospital, and inpatient across four databases: Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Scopus. Using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 303 articles were screened. A Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) (2018) was used for quality appraisal. Concept analysis explored themes across the included articles. Findings: The themes from the analysis of 10 primary research articles, which included 5,327 participants, were (i) types of nutritional assessment and (ii) management of older people with cancer. The main nutritional assessment scales used were the Mini Nutrition Assessment and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. Conclusion: The completion of a comprehensive nutritional assessment by health professionals, including nurses, could facilitate early dietary intervention in older persons with cancer. This would enable supportive dietary advice and supplementation to improve health outcomes.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-04-2022
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Plant- based dietary patterns (vegan and vegetarian) are often considered ‘healthy’ and have been associated with broad health benefits, including decreased risk of obesity and ill health (cardiovascular disease, blood glucose and type II diabetes). However, the association between plant- based diets and mood disorders such as depression remains largely equivocal. This cross- sectional study of 219 adults aged 18–44 (M=31.22, SD=7.40) explored the associations between an estimate of overall plantbased diet quality and depression in vegans (n=165) and vegetarians (n=54). Overall plant- based diet quality was associated with depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians F(1, 215)=13.71, p& .001 accounting for 6% of the variation in depressive symptoms. For those without depression, higher diet quality was protective against depressive symptoms F(1, 125)=6.49, p=0.012. Conversely, for those with depression no association with diet quality was found F(1, 89)=0.01, p=0.963. These findings suggest that a high- quality plant- based diet may be protective against depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians. In line with emerging research between food and mental health, higher- quality dietary patterns are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms. Given the rapidly increasing rate of vegan and vegetarian food products within Australia, understanding the potential mechanisms of effects through which a plant- based diet may influence depressive symptoms is required.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-04-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 25-09-2022
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable mortality and disability. Smoke-free policies in healthcare settings have been implemented as a public health measure. This scoping review aims to explore attitudes on smokers’ cessation in smoke-free healthcare settings using a socio-ecological framework. Methods: Four databases were searched for terms: smoking cessation, patient attitudes, and smoke-free policy. Of 420 studies, 17 met full inclusion criteria. Results: The review identified four socio-ecological aspects of smoking cessation in smoke-free healthcare settings: Intrapersonal factors (health literacy, health conditions, and self-efficacy), interpersonal factors (social support, peer pressure, and social responsibility), healthcare factors (perceived mixed messages, healthcare setting, clinical, psychosocial and health promotion supports), and societal factors (restrictions on smoking in a public place and social acceptability of smoking). Smoke-free policies effectively encouraged cessation in some patients but were ineffective in those that felt a loss of autonomy. Provision of smoke breaks within smoke-free policies was considered a mixed message. Conclusions: Holistic strategies are required to interconnect the four socio-ecological dimensions for successful smoking cessation.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Professional popular musicians are at increased risk of psychological distress, substance use problems, and suicide, yet little evidence is available on effective psychotherapeutic practices to address these issues. This scoping review aims to understand how professional popular musicians perceive, engage with, and respond to mental health interventions. Four databases were searched, garnering a total of 310 articles. Of these, six met inclusion criteria. Four thematic categories were explored: (1) amenability of professional popular musicians to particular therapeutic approaches (2) attribution of treatment outcomes to tailored approaches (3) professional popular musicians’ perceived barriers to treatment and (4) recommendations for treatment approaches. The scoping review supports the importance of considering the characteristics of professional popular musicians as a distinct group with unique well-being needs, challenges, and strengths. There is a clear preference for tailored, affordable, and accessible approaches that consider the uniquities of musicianship and the need to explore the role of nonclinical support, such as friends, family, and industry peers.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Depression is a chronic and complex condition experienced by over 300 million people worldwide. While research on the impact of nutrition on chronic physical illness is well documented, there is growing interest in the role of dietary patterns for those experiencing symptoms of depression. This study aims to examine the association of diet quality (Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies version 2) and depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiological Studies for Depression short form) of young Australian women over 6 years at two time points, 2003 (n 9081, Mean age = 27·6) and 2009 (n 8199, Mean age = 33·7) using secondary data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. A linear mixed-effects model found a small and significant inverse association of diet quality on depressive symptoms (β =−0·03, 95 % CI (−0·04, −0·02)) after adjusting for covarying factors such as BMI, social functioning, alcohol and smoking status. These findings suggest that the continuation of a healthy dietary pattern may be protective of depressive symptoms. Caution should be applied in interpreting these findings due to the small effect sizes. More longitudinal studies are needed to assess temporal relationships between dietary quality and depression.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-01-2023
Abstract: Current observational and interventional studies in nutritional psychiatry suggest that healthy dietary patterns rich in fresh whole foods could protect against depressive symptoms, and that unhealthy dietary patterns high in ultra-processed and refined foods could contribute to depressive symptoms. However, no studies have explored detailed subjective accounts behind the food and mood relationship. This study aimed to uncover unknown factors in the human experience with food and mood. Using a phenomenological framework, this focus group study applied thematic template analysis to accounts of over 50 Australians aged between 18 and 72. Three themes were identified from the transcript of the focus groups: (i) reactive and proactive relationships with food, (ii) acknowledgement of in idual ersity relating to eating and mental health, and (iii) improving mood by removing food restriction and eating intuitively. The data highlights the complexity of the relationship between food and mood that extends beyond biological mechanisms which could be used to extend current epidemiological and intervention studies in the field of dietary patterns and depression.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 14-01-2023
Abstract: Current observational and intervention studies in nutritional psychiatry suggest that healthy dietary patterns rich in fresh whole foods could protect against depressive symptoms and that unhealthy dietary patterns high in ultra-processed and refined foods could contribute to depressive symptoms. However, no studies have explored detailed subjective accounts behind the food and mood relationship. This study aimed to uncover unknown factors in the human experience with food and mood. Using a phenomenological framework, this focus group study applied thematic template analysis to accounts of over 50 Australians aged between 18 and 72. Three themes were identified from the transcript of the focus groups (i) reactive and proactive relationships with food, (ii) acknowledgement of in idual ersity relating to eating and mental health, and (iii) improving mood by removing food restriction and eating intuitively. The data highlights the complexity of the relationship between food and mood that extends beyond biological mechanisms which could be used to extend current epidemiological and intervention studies in the field of dietary patterns and depression.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 21-01-2023
Abstract: Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms are associated in cross-sectional and prospective-designed research. However, limited research has considered depression risk related to meat-based and plant-based dietary patterns. This study explores the association between diet quality and depressive symptoms across omnivore, vegan, and vegetarian dietary patterns. A cross-sectional online survey utilised the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CESD-20) to measure diet quality and depressive symptoms. A total of 496 participants identified as either omnivores (n = 129), vegetarians (n = 151), or vegans (n = 216). ANOVA with Bonferonni post hoc corrections indicates that dietary quality was significantly different between groups F(2, 493) = 23.61, p & .001 in omnivores and vegetarians and omnivores and vegans. Diet quality was highest in the vegan s le, followed by vegetarian and omnivore patterns. The results show a significant, moderate negative relationship between higher diet quality and lower depressive symptoms (r = -.385, p & .001) across groups. Hierarchical regression showed that diet quality accounted for 13% of the variability in depressive symptoms for the omnivore s le, 6% for vegetarians, and 8% for vegans. This study suggests that diet quality in a meat-based or plant-based diet could be a modifiable lifestyle factor with the potential to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. The study indicates a greater protective role of a high-quality plant-based diet and lower depressive symptoms. Further intervention research is needed to understand the bi-directional relationship between diet quality and depressive symptoms across dietary patterns.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-04-2023
No related grants have been discovered for Megan Lee.