Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Characteristics Of Age-Discordant Partnerships Associated With Hiv Risk Among Young South African Women (Hptn 068), Tiarney Ritchwood, James Hughes, Larissa Jennings, Catherine L. Mac Phail, Brian Williamson, Amanda Selin, Kathleen Kahn, F Gomez-Olive, Audrey Pettifor

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective:

Sexual liaisons between older men and younger women have been linked to greater risk of HIV acquisition. This study aims to (1) identify psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with age-discordant (partner ≥5 years) versus age-concordant partnerships (−1< partner <5) and (2) examine the association between partner age discordance and young South African women's sexual behavior.

Methods:

We used generalized estimating equations to analyze responses from 656 sexually experienced women (aged 13–20 years) from rural Mpumalanga province.

Results:

Partner age discordance was associated with greater odds of reporting both more frequent sex [adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20 to 2.60] and having a partner with concurrent partnerships (aOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.22 …

The Role Of Verbal Labels On Flexible Memory Retrieval At 12-Months Of Age, Gemma Taylor, Hao Liu, Jane S. Herbert

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The provision of verbal labels enhances 12-month-old infants¿ memory flexibility across a form change in a puppet imitation task (Herbert, 2011), although the mechanisms for this effect remain unclear. Here we investigate whether verbal labels can scaffold flexible memory retrieval when task difficulty increases and consider the mechanism responsible for the effect of language cues on early memory flexibility. Twelve-month-old infants were provided with English, Chinese, or empty language cues during a difficult imitation task, a combined change in the puppet's colour and form at the test (Hayne et al., 1997). Imitation performance by infants in the English language condition …

Naps Promote Flexible Memory Retrieval In 12-Month-Old Infants, Carolin Konrad, Sabine Seehagen, Silvia Schneider, Jane S. Herbert

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Flexibility in applying existing knowledge to similar cues is a corner stone of memory development in infants. Here, we examine the effect of sleep on the flexibility of memory retrieval using a deferred imitation paradigm. Forty-eight 12-month-old infants were randomly assigned to either a nap or a no-nap demonstration condition (scheduled around their natural daytime sleep schedule) or to a baseline control condition. In the demonstration conditions, infants watched an experimenter perform three target actions on a hand puppet. Immediately afterwards, infants were allowed to practice the target actions three times. In a test session 4-hr later, infants were given …

Living With Landscape Fire: Landholder Understandings Of Agency, Scale And Control Within Fiery Entanglements, Amanda Edwards, Nicholas J. Gill

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Around the world, debates over how to manage and adapt to bushfires (or wildfires) are increasingly prominent as more and different people, many of whom have little or no experience with landscape fire or land management, inhabit fire-prone environments. But bushfire events represent only the most visible aspect of complex entanglements which operate across huge temporal and spatial scales and over which humans have very limited control. In this article, we focus on how Australian landholders of settler or migrant heritage understand scalar complexities and agency and control within human/landscape fire entanglements. In view of the fact that the learning …

The Spatiotemporal Hemodynamic Response Function For Depth-Dependent Functional Imaging Of Human Cortex, Alexander M. Puckett, K M. Aquino, Peter Robinson, Michael Breakspear, Mark M. Schira

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The gray matter of human cortex is characterized by depth-dependent differences in neuronal activity and connections (Shipp, 2007) as well as in the associated vasculature (Duvernoy et al., 1981). The resolution limit of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements is now below a millimeter, promising the non-invasive measurement of these properties in awake and behaving humans (Muckli et al., 2015; Olman et al., 2012; Ress et al., 2007). To advance this endeavor, we present a detailed spatiotemporal hemodynamic response function (HRF) reconstructed through the use of high-resolution, submillimeter fMRI. We decomposed the HRF into directions tangential and perpendicular to the …

Improving Precautionary Communication In The Emf Field? Effects Of Making Messages Consistent And Explaining The Effectiveness Of Precautions, Christoph A. Boehmert, Peter M. Wiedemann, Rodney J. Croft

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Many radiation health agencies communicate precautionary measures regarding the use of mobile communication devices, e.g. the use of a headset while talking on the phone. These precautionary messages have, however, been shown to unintentionally increase risk perceptions about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). The current study tested two potential ways of amending precautionary messages in order to minimise this unintentional effect. Firstly, the messages¿ potential to be perceived as inconsistent and thereby raise suspicions was addressed; secondly, the effectiveness of the precautions was explained. An experimental design was applied in which a quota sample of 1717 Australian residents was randomly assigned …

Clinical Trials Of Medicinal Cannabis For Appetite-Related Symptoms From Advanced Cancer: A Survey Of Preferences, Attitudes And Beliefs Among Patients Willing To Consider Participation, Tim Luckett, Jane Phillips, Nicholas Lintzeris, David J. Allsop, J Lee, Nadia Solowij, Jennifer H. Martin, L Lam, R Aggarwal, Nikki Mccaffrey, David C. Currow, R Chye, Melanie Lovell, Iain Prof Iain Mcgregor, Meera Agar

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Australian clinical trials are planned to evaluate medicinal cannabis in a range of clinical contexts. Aims: To explore the preferences, attitudes and beliefs of patients eligible and willing to consider participation in a clinical trial of medicinal cannabis for poor appetite and appetite-related symptoms from advanced cancer.

Genetic Consideration Of Schizotypal Traits: A Review, Emma Walter, Francesca Fernandez-Enright, Mollie Snelling, Emma Barkus

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Schizotypal traits are of interest and importance in their own right and also have theoretical and clinical associations with schizophrenia. These traits comprise attenuated psychotic symptoms, social withdrawal, reduced cognitive capacity, and affective dysregulation. The link between schizotypal traits and psychotic disorders has long since been debated. The status of knowledge at this point is such schizotypal traits are a risk for psychotic disorders, but in and of themselves only confer liability, with other risk factors needing to be present before a transition to psychosis occurs. Investigation of schizotypal traits also has the possibility to inform clinical and research pursuits …

Improving Physical Task Performance With Counterfactual And Prefactual Thinking, Cecilia Hammell, Amy Yc Chan

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Counterfactual thinking (reflecting on ªwhat might have beenº) has been shown to enhance future performance by translating information about past mistakes into plans for future action. Prefactual thinking (imagining ªwhat might be if. . .º) may serve a greater preparative function than counterfactual thinking as it is future-orientated and focuses on more controllable features, thus providing a practical script to prime future behaviour. However, whether or not this difference in hypothetical thought content may translate into a difference in actual task performance has been largely unexamined. In Experiment 1 (n = 42), participants performed trials of a computer-simulated physical task, …

Reflections And Recommendations For Conducting In-Depth Interviews With People With Dementia, Elizabeth Cridland, Lyn Phillipson, Christopher R. Brennan-Horley, Kate Swaffer

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Despite the importance and advantages of including people with dementia in research, there are various challenges for researchers and participants to their involvement. This article draws on the literature and experiences of a diverse group of authors, including a person with dementia, to provide recommendations about conducting research with people with dementia. Particular attention is given to in-depth interviews as a qualitative technique. More specifically, topics discussed include interview guide preparation, recruitment, obtaining consent/assent, conducting effective interviews, analysis and interpretation of data, effective communication of research findings, and reflections and recommendations for maintaining researcher and participant health. Given the current …

Is More Area-Level Crime Associated With More Sitting And Less Physical Activity? Longitudinal Evidence From 37,162 Australians, Thomas E. Astell-Burt, Xiaoqi Feng, Gregory S. Kolt, Bin Jalaludin

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Does a rise in crime result in increased sitting time and a reduction in physical activity? We used unobserved (“fixed”)-effects models to examine associations between change in objectively measured crime (nondomestic violence, malicious damage, breaking and entering, and stealing, theft, and robbery) in Australia and measures of sitting time, walking, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a residentially stable sample of 17,474 men and 19,688 women at baseline (2006–2008) and follow-up (2009–2010). Possible sources of time-varying confounding included age, income, economic status, relationship (couple) status, and physical functioning. In adjusted models, an increase in all crimes of 10 counts per …

Teaching Rhythm And Rhythm Grouping: The Butterfly Technique, Michael Burri, Amanda Ann Baker

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

For years, teachers have been lamenting how difficult pronunciation is to teach to second language learners (Baker, 2011; Macdonald, 2002). So challenging, in fact, it may even be neglected in the classroom. In cases where it is included in the classroom, it may be either treated in isolation (e.g., done for 5 minutes at the end of a lesson) or done unsystematically (e.g., without a clear goal or learner needs in mind). Another reason for pronunciation’s lack of attention in the classroom may be that teachers and students alike may simply find pronunciation boring to teach or to learn.

Meeting Country And Self To Initiate An Embodiment Of Knowledge: Embedding A Process For Aboriginal Perspectives, Anthony D. Mcknight

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Social justice is often the primary framework that directs academics to embed Aboriginal perspectives into teacher education programmes. The effectiveness and limitations of social justice as a catalyst and change agent was examined when six school of education academics from an Australian regional university were introduced to Yuin Country as knowledge holder. This paper argues that social justice in Australian education systems can contribute to the colonial control of knowledge production. At the same time, however, social justice may provide a means for non-Aboriginal people to experience Aboriginal ways of knowing and thereby to diversify their thinking. A cultural experience …

In A Heatwave, The Leafy Suburbs Are Even More Advantaged, Rachel Hughes, Elizabeth J. Taylor, Melanie Davern, Nicole T. Cook, Stephen J. Livesley

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Summer brings out the heliophobe in many of us. It's manageable if you live in a house that stays cool when shut up tight. It helps if you're physically capable of crossing to the shadier side of a hot street. It's even better if you can work from home or use public transport stops that enjoy the cover of buildings or trees. We have reason to think a lot about shade these days, especially as the heatwaves roll in. At such times, shade is our friend. On top of the existing urban heat island effect, the incidence of extreme heat …

Enhancing Preschoolers' Executive Functions Through Embedding Cognitive Activities In Shared Book Reading, Steven J. Howard, Thomasin Powell, Elena Vasseleu, Stuart J. Johnstone, Edward Melhuish

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Given evidence that early executive functioning sets the stage for a broad range of subsequent outcomes, researchers have sought to identify ways to foster these cognitive capacities. The current series of studies sought to design, develop, and provide evidence for the efficacy of embedding cognitive activities in a commonplace activity-shared reading of a children's book. The book, Quincey Quokka's Quest, required children to control their thinking and behavior to help the story's main character through a series of obstacles. The first study investigated effects of reading with embedded cognitive activities in individual and group contexts on young children's executive functions …

Hippocampal Harms, Protection And Recovery Following Regular Cannabis Use, Murat Yucel, Valentina Lorenzetti, C Suo, Andrew Zalesky, Alex Fornito, Michael J. Takagi, Daniel Lubman, Nadia Solowij

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Shifting policies towards legalisation of cannabis for therapeutic and recreational use raise significant ethical issues for health-care providers seeking evidence-based recommendations. We investigated whether heavy cannabis use is associated with persistent harms to the hippocampus, if exposure to cannabidiol offers protection, and whether recovery occurs with abstinence. To do this, we assessed 111 participants: 74 long-term regular cannabis users (with an average of 15.4 years of use) and 37 non-user healthy controls. Cannabis users included subgroups of participants who were either exposed to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but not to cannabidiol (CBD) or exposed to both, and former users with sustained abstinence. …

Video Feedback In Cbt Supervision: Review And Illustration Of Two Specific Techniques, Craig J. Gonsalvez, Robert N. Brockman, Hamish R. M Hill

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

There is now expert consensus that directly observing the work of trainee therapists vs. relying upon self-report of sessions, is critical to providing the accurate feedback required to attain a range of competencies. In spite of this expert consensus however, and the broadly positive attitudes towards video review among supervisees, video feedback methods remain under-utilized in clinical supervision. This paper outlines some of the weaknesses that affect feedback based solely on self-report methods, before introducing some of the specific benefits that video feedback methods can offer the training and supervision context. It is argued that video feedback methods fit seamlessly …

Education And Out-Of-Home Care Transitions, Michelle L. Townsend, Judy Cashmore, Anne Graham

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In Australia there are 43,400 children and young people inn out-of-home care, mostly due to parental incapacity, abuse and neglect. These children experience a number of significant changes in their lives in terms of who they live with, where they live, and for school-aged children, often changes in school. These changes are beyond the normative transitions that are common in the lives of children.

The Ethics Of Menu Labelling, Stacy M. Carter

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In this commentary, I explore the ethically relevant dimensions of menu labelling. The evidence that menu labelling changes purchasing or consumption behaviour is contentious and inconclusive; there is some suggestion that menu labelling may preferentially influence the behaviour of healthier and wealthier citizens. Some suggest that menu labelling is unjust, as it fails to direct resources towards those who most need them. An alternative is to see menu labels as just one of a set of strategies that can increase people's real opportunities to be healthy. Complementing strategies will be necessary to ensure that all citizens can consider and value …

Doctors' Approaches To Psa Testing And Overdiagnosis In Primary Healthcare: A Qualitative Study, Kristen Pickles, Stacy M. Carter, Lucie Rychetnik

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives (1) To explain general practitioners' (GPs') approaches to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and overdiagnosis; (2) to explain how GPs reason about their PSA testing routines and (3) to explain how these routines influence GPs' personal experience as clinicians. Setting Primary care practices in Australia including men's health clinics and rural practices with variable access to urology services. Participants 32 urban and rural GPs within Australia. We included GPs of varying ages, gender (11 female), clinical experience and patient populations. All GPs interested in participating in the study were included. Primary and secondary outcome measure(s) Data were analysed using grounded …

The Challenge Of Overdiagnosis Begins With Its Definition, Stacy M. Carter, Wendy Rogers, I Heath, Chris Degeling, Jenny Doust, Alexandra Barratt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The implicit social contract underpinning healthcare is that it will reduce illness and preventable death and improve quality of life. But sometimes these promises are not delivered. Sometimes health services take people who don't need intervention, subject them to tests, label them as sick or at risk, provide unnecessary treatments, tell them to live differently, or insist on monitoring them regularly. These interventions don't improve things for people; they produce complications or illness, reduce quality of life, or even cause premature death. Active health intervention is not always a good thing: it can be "too much medicine," or produce what …

Relational Conceptions Of Paternalism: A Way To Rebut Nanny-State Accusations And Evaluate Public Health Interventions, Stacy M. Carter, Vikki A. Entwistle, Miles Little

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives 'Nanny-state' accusations can function as powerful rhetorical weapons against interventions intended to promote public health. Public health advocates often lack effective rebuttals to these criticisms. Nanny-state accusations are largely accusations of paternalism. They conjure up emotive concern about undue governmental interference undermining peoples' autonomy. But autonomy can be understood in various ways. We outline three main conceptions of autonomy, argue that these that can underpin three different conceptions of paternalism, and consider implications for responses to nanny-state accusations and the assessment of public health interventions. Study design and methods Detailed conceptual analysis. Results The conceptions of paternalism implicit in …

Why Do Smokers Try To Quit Without Medication Or Counselling? A Qualitative Study With Ex-Smokers, Andrea L. Smith, Stacy M. Carter, Simon Chapman, Sally M. Dunlop, Becky Freeman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective When tobacco smokers quit, between half and two-thirds quit unassisted: that is, they do not consult their general practitioner (GP), use pharmacotherapy (nicotine-replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline), or phone a quitline. We sought to understand why smokers quit unassisted. Design Qualitative grounded theory study (in-depth interviews, theoretical sampling, concurrent data collection and data analysis). Participants 21 Australian adult ex-smokers (aged 28-68 years; 9 males and 12 females) who quit unassisted within the past 6 months to 2 years. 12 participants had previous experience of using assistance to quit; 9 had never previously used assistance. Setting Community, Australia. Results Along …

Which Public And Why Deliberate? - A Scoping Review Of Public Deliberation In Public Health And Health Policy Research, Christopher J. Degeling, Stacy M. Carter, Lucie Rychetnik

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Deliberative methods are of increasing interest to public health researchers and policymakers. We systematically searched the peer-reviewed literature to identify public health and health policy research involving deliberative methods and report how deliberative methods have been used. We applied a taxonomy developed with reference to health policy and science and technology studies literatures to distinguish how deliberative methods engage different publics: citizens (ordinary people who are unfamiliar with the issues), consumers (those with relevant personal experience e.g. of illness) and advocates (those with technical expertise or partisan interests). We searched four databases for empirical studies in English published 1996-2013. This …

The Views And Experiences Of Smokers Who Quit Smoking Unassisted. A Systematic Review Of The Qualitative Evidence, Andrea L. Smith, Stacy M. Carter, Sally M. Dunlop, Becky Freeman, Simon Chapman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Unassisted cessation - quitting without pharmacological or professional support - is an enduring phenomenon. Unassisted cessation persists even in nations advanced in tobacco control where cessation assistance such as nicotine replacement therapy, the stop-smoking medications bupropion and varenicline, and behavioural assistance are readily available. We review the qualitative literature on the views and experiences of smokers who quit unassisted. Method We systematically searched for peer-reviewed qualitative studies reporting on smokers who quit unassisted. We identified 11 studies and used a technique based on Thomas and Harden's method of thematic synthesis to discern key themes relating to unassisted cessation, and …

Framing Overdiagnosis In Breast Screening: A Qualitative Study With Australian Experts, Lisa M. Parker, Lucie Rychetnik, Stacy M. Carter

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background The purpose of this study was to identify how the topic of overdiagnosis in breast cancer screening is framed by experts and to clarify differences and similarities within these frames in terms of problems, causes, values and solutions. Methods We used a qualitative methodology using interviews with breast screening experts across Australia and applying framing theory to map and analyse their views about overdiagnosis. We interviewed 33 breast screening experts who influence the public and/or policy makers via one or more of: public or academic commentary; senior service management; government advisory bodies; professional committees; non-government/consumer organisations. Experts were currently …

The Role Of Communication In Breast Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study With Australian Experts, Lisa M. Parker, Lucie Rychetnik, Stacy M. Carter

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background One well-accepted strategy for optimising outcomes in mammographic breast cancer screening is to improve communication with women about screening. It is not always clear, however, what it is that communication should be expected to achieve, and why or how this is so. We investigated Australian experts' opinions on breast screening communication. Our research questions were: 1 What are the views of Australian experts about communicating with consumers on breast screening? 2 How do experts reason about this topic? Methods We used a qualitative methodology, interviewing 33 breast screening experts across Australia with recognisable influence in the Australian mammographic breast …

The Purpose And Value For Students Of Pbl Groups For Learning, Vicki Skinner, Annette J. Braunack-Mayer, Tracey J. Winning

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Groups are central to problem-based learning (PBL) and educational and professional outcomes relevant to clinical education. However, PBL groups in practice may differ from theoretical conceptions of groups. Therefore, this study explored students’ understandings of the purpose and value of PBL groups for their learning. We conducted a naturalistic study with novice (first-year) students at two dental schools (Australia, Ireland), using observation and interviews analyzed thematically. Students constructed PBL learning as individual knowledge gain, and group purpose as information gathering and exchange; few students acknowledged the learning potential of group processes. Group value depended on assessment and curriculum context. Findings …

The First Shared Online Curriculum Resources For Veterinary Undergraduate Learning And Teaching In Animal Welfare And Ethics In Australia And New Zealand, Jane Johnson, Teresa Collins, Christopher J. Degeling, Anne Fawcett, Andrew D. Fisher, Rafael Freire, Susan J. Hazel, Jennifer Hood, Janice Lloyd, Clive J. C Phillips, Kevin Stafford, Vicky Tzioumis, Paul Mcgreevy

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The need for undergraduate teaching of Animal Welfare and Ethics (AWE) in Australian and New Zealand veterinary courses reflects increasing community concerns and expectations about AWE, global pressures regarding food security and sustainability, the demands of veterinary accreditation, and fears that, unless students encounter AWE as part of their formal education, as veterinarians they will be relatively unaware of the discipline of animal welfare science. To address this need we are developing online resources to ensure Australian and New Zealand veterinary graduates have the knowledge, and the research, communication and critical reasoning skills, to fulfill the AWE role demanded of …

Citizens' Perspectives On Disinvestment From Publicly Funded Pathology Tests: A Deliberative Forum, Jackie M. Street, Peta Callaghan, Annette J. Braunack-Mayer, Janet E. Hiller

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background

Deliberative forums can be useful tools in policy decision making for balancing citizen voice and community values against dominant interests.

Objective

To describe the use of a deliberative forum to explore community perspectives on a complex health problem—disinvestment.

Methods

A deliberative forum of citizens was convened in Adelaide, South Australia, to develop criteria to support disinvestment from public funding of ineffective pathology tests. The case study of potential disinvestment from vitamin B₁₂/folate pathology testing was used to shape the debate. The forum was informed by a systematic review of B₁₂/folate pathology test effectiveness and expert …