ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6952-6014
Current Organisations
University of South Australia
,
Flinders University School of Psychology
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1465-3362.2009.00133.X
Abstract: This study is to test the acceptability of a single-session 'check-up' intervention for psychostimulant users and document participants' subsequent progress in reducing psychostimulant use and related harms. The design was pre-experimental single-group repeated measures. Eighty participants received the Psychostimulant Check-Up, with 62% completing a 3 month follow up. Participants were predominantly young adult meth hetamine users. The majority indicated that the Check-Up answered their questions, increased their awareness of services, and they would recommend it to their friends. At follow up, there was a significant reduction in self-reported meth hetamine use, the number of self-reported psychostimulant-related negative consequences experienced in the previous month and rates of injecting: 62% self-reported at least a 1 g reduction in meth hetamine use. The intervention was well accepted and the majority of those who received it subsequently made meaningful reductions in psychostimulant use and related harm. The intervention offers sufficient promise to warrant a randomised trial to establish whether improvements were specific to the intervention.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-11-2022
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2149436
Abstract: Eighty-two Australians (mean age = 30.07 61% female) were blindly randomized to view either a video edited to depict a positive or negative presentation of in iduals in recovery from meth hetamine use disorder. Participants completed the Social Distance Scale for Substance Users, Dangerousness Scale for Substance Users and Affect Scale for Substance Users before and after video exposure. Following video exposure, those exposed to the positive video portrayal reported lower desire for social distance (
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-02-2022
DOI: 10.2196/31018
Abstract: A large number of Australians experience mental health challenges at some point in their lives. However, in many parts of Australia, the wait times to see general practitioners and mental health professionals can be lengthy. With increasing internet use across Australia, web-based interventions may help increase access to timely mental health care. As a result, this is an area of increasing research interest, and the number of publicly available web-based interventions is growing. However, it can be confusing for clinicians and consumers to know the resources that are evidence-based and best meet their needs. This study aims to scope out the range of web-based mental health interventions that address depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being and are freely available to Australian adults, along with their impact, acceptability, therapeutic approach, and key features. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR [PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews]) guided the review process. Keywords for the search were depression, anxiety, suicide, and well-being. The search was conducted using Google as well as the key intervention databases Beacon, Head to Health, and e-Mental Health in Practice. Interventions were deemed eligible if they targeted depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being (eg, resilience) in adults and were web-based, written in English, interactive, free, and publicly available. They also had to be guided by an evidence-based therapeutic approach. Overall, 52 eligible programs were identified, of which 9 (17%) addressed depression, 15 (29%) addressed anxiety, 13 (25%) addressed general mental well-being, and 13 (25%) addressed multiple issues. Only 4% (2/52) addressed distress in the form of suicidal ideation. The most common therapeutic approach was cognitive behavioral therapy. Half of the programs guided users through exercises in a set sequence, and most programs enabled users to log in and complete the activities on their own without professional support. Just over half of the programs had been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing symptoms, and 11% (6/52) were being evaluated at the time of writing. Program evaluation scores ranged from 44% to 100%, with a total average score of 85%. There are numerous web-based programs for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and general well-being, which are freely and publicly available in Australia. However, identified gaps include a lack of available web-based interventions for culturally and linguistically erse populations and programs that use newer therapeutic approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Despite most programs included in this review being of good quality, clinicians and consumers should pay careful attention when selecting which program to recommend and use, as variations in the levels of acceptability and impact of publicly available programs do exist.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-09-2022
Abstract: This research aimed to explore the self-management strategies that Australian male farmers use to improve or maintain their psychological wellbeing and their views on what would assist them to overcome barriers to seeking professional mental health assistance. In idual semi-structured telephone interviews were audio-recorded with consent. Qualitative data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Fifteen male farmers participated, who were an average of thirty-nine years of age (23–74 years) with twenty years of farming experience (5–57 years). Seven themes relating to self-management strategies were identified: (1) interacting with a supportive network (2) involvement in groups and teams (3) physical activity (4) proactively educating themselves (5) self-prioritising and deliberately maintaining work–life balance (6) being grateful and (7) focusing on the controllable aspects of farming. Five themes were identified that related to mitigating barriers to seeking mental health assistance: (1) actively welcoming mental health professionals into the community (2) normalising help-seeking (3) making seeking mental health assistance a priority (4) offering services that are culturally appropriate and accessible for male farmers and (5) tailoring mental health information delivery to farming populations. Australian male farmers already use strategies to maintain and improve their mental health that are culturally and contextually appropriate. These proactive strategies could form the basis of interventions aiming to further promote male farmers’ wellbeing. Barriers to seeking professional mental health assistance may be overcome by implementing solutions directly suggested by male farmers. Given the elevated risk of suicide in this group, investment in trialing promotion of these strategies is warranted.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-06-2021
DOI: 10.1002/CPP.2631
Abstract: Although it is well established that emotion‐focused coping is associated with burnout, the schema therapy model may improve the prediction of who is most vulnerable to using emotion‐focused coping and what kinds of emotion‐focused coping carry the greatest risk of burnout. It is also unknown the extent to which resilience might buffer against maladaptive coping in protecting against burnout. The present study investigated whether maladaptive coping modes would incrementally predict emotional exhaustion (EE) adjusting for resilience and whether resilience might moderate the effect of maladaptive coping on EE. The possible role of maladaptive coping as a mediator of job demands on EE was also explored. Four hundred and forty‐three clinical and counselling psychologists completed online measures of job demands, EE, resilience, and maladaptive coping modes. The Detached Protector mode was associated with greater EE after adjusting for resilience. Bully and Attack mode was associated with greater EE when considered separately from other coping modes but associated with decreased EE when considered together. Resilience did not moderate the effect of job demands on EE, or the effect of coping modes on EE, except for Compliant Surrenderer. Coping modes only partially mediated the effect of job demands on EE accounting for 20% or less of its effect. Maladaptive coping modes appear to make independent contributions to the risk of EE and efforts to reduce burnout in psychologists should focus dually on increasing resilience‐building practices and decreasing maladaptive coping.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-07-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-022-15261-Z
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the responsiveness of the Italian version of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) to changes in BMI, fatigue and depressive symptoms in adult inpatients with obesity. 198 adults (81% female, mean age = 44.7 years) with obesity completed the PedsQL-MFS, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FFS) and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD) before and after completing a 3-week body weight reduction program. Internal responsiveness was measured via paired t-tests, standardized mean response (SMR) and Glass’s delta ( d ). Changes in FFS, CESD and BMI were used as anchors to categorize participants as “improved”, “unchanged” or “deteriorated”. External Responsiveness was assessed by comparing mean post-intervention PedsQL-MFS scores across change groups, adjusting for pre-intervention PedsQL-MFS scores and in area-under-curve (AUC) analysis. PedsQL-MFS Total, Sleep/Rest Fatigue and Cognitive Fatigue scores demonstrated significant reductions in response to an established body weight reduction program. Post-intervention PedsQL-MFS scale scores were lower among those who had improved on the CESD and FSS than among those whose CESD and FSS scores had not significantly changed. There was no difference in PedsQL-MFS scale scores according to whether participants had reduced their BMI by at least 5%. AUC analyses indicated that change in PedsQL-MFS scores was somewhat more predictive of improvement in CESD than FSS scores. The Italian version of the PedsQL-MFS demonstrated both internal and external responsiveness. It appeared more sensitive to improvement than deterioration in fatigue symptoms and its sensitivity to deterioration in depressive symptoms and weight loss could not be evaluated in the present study as there was no reliable deterioration in CESD scores and weight loss was modest. Future studies should include a control group to assess the sensitivity of the PedsQL-MFS more thoroughly.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1080/08897071003641578
Abstract: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) incorporates developments in behavior therapy, holds promise but has not been evaluated for meth hetamine use disorders. The objective of this study was to test whether ACT would increase treatment attendance and reduce meth hetamine use and related harms compared to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). One hundred and four treatment-seeking adults with meth hetamine abuse or dependence were randomly assigned to receive 12 weekly 60-minute in idual sessions of ACT or CBT. Attrition was 70% at 12 weeks and 86% at 24 weeks postentry. Per intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant differences between the treatment groups in treatment attendance (median 3 sessions), and meth hetamine-related outcomes however, meth hetamine use (toxicology-assessed and self-reported), negative consequences, and dependence severity significantly improved over time in both groups. Although ACT did not improve treatment outcomes or attendance compared to CBT, it may be a viable alternative to CBT for meth hetamine use disorders. Future rigorous research in this area seems warranted.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AP.12387
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 22-11-2017
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 22-11-2017
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2015
DOI: 10.1111/CP.12075
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 14-01-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S135246581800067X
Abstract: Background: Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective front-line treatment for depression but some consumers find it unattractive or aversive, and its rationale unconvincing. Aims: To investigate whether in idual differences in symptoms of depression, borderline personality pathology or adverse childhood events would: (1) influence ratings of BA treatment credibility (2) predict credibility rating differences in comparison to schema therapy (ST) exemplifying a contrasting theoretical rationale with a significant developmental history focus (3) a third aim was to test whether BA credibility was increased by providing research evidence of its efficacy. Method: In an online within-subjects experiment, 219 Australian community adults completed the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire following written descriptions of BA and ST (presentation order randomized across participants), and again for BA after receiving information about research supporting BA's efficacy. Results: Higher childhood adversity (but not severity of depression or borderline personality disorder symptoms) predicted lower BA credibility. Overall, ST was rated more credible than BA, but presenting BA evidence increased BA credibility ratings to match ST. This response was moderated by in idual differences: participants with higher childhood adversity or previous therapy experience found ST more credible than BA even after receiving BA evidence. Conclusions: In iduals are not equally receptive to BA. Presenting research evidence is an effective strategy for increasing credibility, but additional intervention or tailoring the rationale is recommended for clients with significant childhood adversity.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 18-05-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2019-101242
Abstract: To assess whether physically active yoga is superior to waitlist control, treatment as usual and attention control in alleviating depressive symptoms in people with a diagnosed mental disorder recognised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were obtained from online databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CENTRAL, EMCARE, PEDro). The search and collection of eligible studies was conducted up to 14 May 2019 (PROSPERO registration No CRD42018090441). We included randomised controlled trials with a yoga intervention comprising ≥50% physical activity in adults with a recognised diagnosed mental disorder according to DSM-3, 4 or 5. 19 studies were included in the review (1080 participants) and 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis (632 participants). Disorders of depression, post-traumatic stress, schizophrenia, anxiety, alcohol dependence and bipolar were included. Yoga showed greater reductions in depressive symptoms than waitlist, treatment as usual and attention control (standardised mean difference=0.41 95% CI −0.65 to −0.17 p .001). Greater reductions in depressive symptoms were associated with higher frequency of yoga sessions per week (β=−0.44, p .01).
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-2002
DOI: 10.1046/J.1440-1614.2002.01042.X
Abstract: Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the rates of inpatient admission between a mobile community-based psychiatric emergency service and a hospital-based psychiatric emergency service, and to identify the clinical characteristics of consumers more likely to be admitted to hospital. Methods: A retrospective, quasi-experimental design was used with a 3-month cohort of all face-to-face emergency service contacts presenting at the mobile and hospital-based sites. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales and details of the outcome following initial assessment were completed for all contacts, and each group was compared for differences in clinical characteristics and outcome. Results: Hospital-based emergency service contacts were found to be more than three times as likely to be admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit when compared with those using a mobile community-based emergency service, regardless of their clinical characteristics. Those with severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and major affective disorder, and experiencing problems with aggression, non-accidental self-injury, hallucinations and delusions, problems with occupation, activities of daily living, and living conditions were more likely to be admitted to hospital. Nevertheless, after controlling for clinical characteristics, site of initial assessment accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in decisions to admit to hospital. Conclusions: Emergency psychiatric services which include a mobile component and provide a specialized multidisciplinary team approach appear to be most effective in providing services in the least restrictive environment and avoiding hospitalization.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-10-2018
DOI: 10.1002/CPP.2328
Abstract: Psychologists are subject to multiple competing emotional demands that increase the risk of burnout. Research has demonstrated that burnout arises from both organizational and personal factors, including psychologists' personal beliefs and coping. Preliminary research indicates that early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are associated with high burnout, yet, to date, the role of EMS and associated coping responses (maladaptive coping modes [MCM]) in predicting high burnout amongst psychologists has not been investigated. Four hundred forty-three psychologists completed a self-report online questionnaire comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory-emotional exhaustion scale (EE), Young Schema Questionnaire, and Schema Mode Inventory. The two most common EMS amongst psychologists were unrelenting standards and self-sacrifice. There was substantial indication of burnout, with 18.3% in the high range and 29.6% in the moderate range of EE. The most common MCM were detached protector and detached self-soother. Controlling for demographics and job demands, EMS accounted for an additional 18% variance in EE. MCM accounted for an additional 6% beyond the variance explained by demographics, job demands, and EMS. Practical recommendations are suggested to reduce psychologist burnout.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-03-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S40519-021-01152-1
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the factor structure, reliability, inter-rater agreement and convergent validity of the child and parent Italian versions of the paediatric quality of life inventory multidimensional fatigue scale (PedsQL-MFS) in paediatric inpatients with obesity and one of their parents. 100 pairs of children/adolescents (64% female, mean age = 15.34) with obesity and one of their parents completed the PedsQL-MFS and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) or the Youth Self Report. Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the three correlated first-order factors model corresponding to the published subscales demonstrated acceptable fit and achieved strict invariance across parent and child informants. Bifactor Analysis supported the multidimensionality and the reliability of the total and subscale scores as multidimensional composites. Parent-child agreement was low with latent means higher for parent reports. PedsQL-MFS total scores were strongly correlated with Somatic Complaints scores on the CBCL, and moderately associated with anxiety, depression, social problems and school problems. Total scores of the child and parent Italian versions of the PedsQL-MFS demonstrated good reliability and convergent validity in paediatric inpatients with obesity and their parents, and are complementary rather than interchangeable. No level of evidence.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-05-2020
DOI: 10.1002/CPP.2465
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 07-06-2021
Abstract: large number of Australians experience mental health challenges at some point in their lives. However, in many parts of Australia, the wait times to see general practitioners and mental health professionals can be lengthy. With increasing internet use across Australia, web-based interventions may help increase access to timely mental health care. As a result, this is an area of increasing research interest, and the number of publicly available web-based interventions is growing. However, it can be confusing for clinicians and consumers to know the resources that are evidence-based and best meet their needs. his study aims to scope out the range of web-based mental health interventions that address depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being and are freely available to Australian adults, along with their impact, acceptability, therapeutic approach, and key features. he PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR [PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews]) guided the review process. Keywords for the search were depression, anxiety, suicide, and well-being. The search was conducted using Google as well as the key intervention databases Beacon, Head to Health, and e-Mental Health in Practice. Interventions were deemed eligible if they targeted depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being (eg, resilience) in adults and were web-based, written in English, interactive, free, and publicly available. They also had to be guided by an evidence-based therapeutic approach. verall, 52 eligible programs were identified, of which 9 (17%) addressed depression, 15 (29%) addressed anxiety, 13 (25%) addressed general mental well-being, and 13 (25%) addressed multiple issues. Only 4% (2/52) addressed distress in the form of suicidal ideation. The most common therapeutic approach was cognitive behavioral therapy. Half of the programs guided users through exercises in a set sequence, and most programs enabled users to log in and complete the activities on their own without professional support. Just over half of the programs had been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing symptoms, and 11% (6/52) were being evaluated at the time of writing. Program evaluation scores ranged from 44% to 100%, with a total average score of 85%. here are numerous web-based programs for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and general well-being, which are freely and publicly available in Australia. However, identified gaps include a lack of available web-based interventions for culturally and linguistically erse populations and programs that use newer therapeutic approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Despite most programs included in this review being of good quality, clinicians and consumers should pay careful attention when selecting which program to recommend and use, as variations in the levels of acceptability and impact of publicly available programs do exist.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1111/AP.12376
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.BRAT.2017.05.016
Abstract: Öst's (2014) systematic review and meta-analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has received wide attention. On the basis of his review, Öst argued that ACT research was not increasing in its quality and that, in contradiction to the views of Division 12 of the American Psychological Association (APA), ACT is "not yet well-established for any disorder" (2014, p. 105). We conducted a careful examination of the methods, approach, and data used in the meta-analysis. Based in part on examinations by the authors of the studies involved, which were then independently checked, 91 factual or interpretive errors were documented, touching upon 80% of the studies reviewed. Comparisons of Öst's quality ratings with independent teams rating the same studies with the same scale suggest that Ost's ratings were unreliable. In all of these areas (factual errors interpretive errors quality ratings) mistakes and differences were not random: Ost's data were dominantly more negative toward ACT. The seriousness, range, and distribution of errors, and a wider pattern of misinterpreting the purpose of studies and ignoring positive results, suggest that Öst's review should be set aside in future considerations of the evidence base for ACT. We argue that future published reviews and meta-analyses should rely upon erse groups of scholars rather than a single in idual that resulting raw data should be made available for inspection and independent analysis that well-crafted committees rather than in iduals should design, apply and interpret quality criteria that the intent of transdiagnostic studies need to be more seriously considered as the field shifts away from a purely syndromal approach and that data that demonstrate theoretically consistent mediating processes should be given greater weight in evaluating specific interventions. Finally, in order to examine substantive progress since Öst's review, recent outcome and process evidence was briefly examined.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2014
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 26-07-2019
DOI: 10.2196/14084
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-12-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1360-0443.2009.02717.X
Abstract: To investigate the safety and efficacy of once-daily supervised oral administration of sustained-release dex hetamine in people dependent on meth hetamine. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-nine meth hetamine-dependent drug users from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) clinics. Participants were assigned randomly to receive up to 110 mg/day sustained-release dex hetamine (n = 23) or placebo (n = 26) for a maximum of 12 weeks, with gradual reduction of the study medication over an additional 4 weeks. Medication was taken daily under pharmacist supervision. Primary outcome measures included treatment retention, measures of meth hetamine consumption (self-report and hair analysis), degree of meth hetamine dependence and severity of meth hetamine withdrawal. Hair s les were analysed for meth hetamine using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Treatment retention was significantly different between groups, with those who received dex hetamine remaining in treatment for an average of 86.3 days compared with 48.6 days for those receiving placebo (P = 0.014). There were significant reductions in self-reported meth hetamine use between baseline and follow-up within each group (P < 0.0001), with a trend to a greater reduction among the dex hetamine group (P = 0.086). Based on hair analysis, there was a significant decrease in meth hetamine concentration for both groups (P < 0.0001). At follow-up, degree of meth hetamine dependence was significantly lower in the dex hetamine group (P = 0.042). Dex hetamine maintenance was not associated with serious adverse events. The results of this preliminary study have demonstrated that a maintenance pharmacotherapy programme of daily sustained-release hetamine dispensing under pharmacist supervision is both feasible and safe. The increased retention in the dex hetamine group, together with the general decreases in meth hetamine use, degree of dependence and withdrawal symptom severity, provide preliminary evidence that this may be an efficacious treatment option for meth hetamine dependence.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-01-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12955-021-01907-5
Abstract: Fatigue is a frequent complaint amongst children and adolescents with obesity, and it interferes with adherence to dietary and exercise regimes that could reduce obesity. The present study evaluated the effect of an inpatient 3-week body weight reduction program on body weight and fatigue. One hundred children and adolescents with obesity (64% female aged 11–18 years) undertook an inpatient program of personalized diet, daily exercise, education, and counselling. The s le evidenced a mean reduction in body mass (females: ΔM = 4.3 (sd = 2.1) kg, p .001), males: ΔM = 6.2 (sd = 2.6) kg, p .001), BMI standard deviation score (females: ΔM = 0 . 17 (sd = 0.07), males: ΔM = 0 . 24 (sd = 0.08), p .001) and fatigue (females: ΔM = 7.8 (sd = 9.7), males: ΔM = 5 . 0 (sd = 6.9), p .001) as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) and improvements on the Attention problems subscale of the Youth Self Report (total s le: ΔM = 0 . 89 (sd = 2.44), p .001). Reliable change analyses revealed fatigue changes were achieved by up to 34% females and 17% males, but the majority did not achieve reliable change and changes in fatigue were not correlated with changes in body mass. The program achieved clinically significant improvements in some children and adolescents. Future studies should explore predictors of treatment responsiveness. Trial registration Observational study. Not registered.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2016
No related grants have been discovered for Matthew Smout.