Evaluative learning: do all roads lead to Rome? This project aims to enhance understanding of how likes and dislikes are acquired and changed across a range of different settings. Evaluative learning, the acquisition and change of likes and dislikes, is ubiquitous and occurs in situations that range from trivial to traumatic. However, it is unknown whether evaluative learning in these different situations is mediated by a single or distinct learning mechanisms. Answering this question is critica ....Evaluative learning: do all roads lead to Rome? This project aims to enhance understanding of how likes and dislikes are acquired and changed across a range of different settings. Evaluative learning, the acquisition and change of likes and dislikes, is ubiquitous and occurs in situations that range from trivial to traumatic. However, it is unknown whether evaluative learning in these different situations is mediated by a single or distinct learning mechanisms. Answering this question is critically important for emotion science and the design of effective interventions for anxiety disorders and public health campaigns. The expected outcomes from this project will provide significant benefits, such as creating new knowledge to assist in applied areas ranging from the design of public health messages to the treatment for anxiety.Read moreRead less
Very young adolescents and substance use: community and family vulnerabilities and healthy developmental transitions. This research will examine how families and communities protect very young children from early alcohol and tobacco use. The findings will lead to new prevention policies and programs that better meet the needs of vulnerable communities. This project will strengthen collaborations with leading international research centres in this area.
Promoting the positive mental health and well being of young Australians. This project will test an innovative multidimensional model of positive mental health and mental illness in young Australians. It will also determine if the application of this model to the development of six online positive mental health tools, improves the mental health and well-being of young people.
Designing, implementing and evaluating a youth mobile help-seeking tool-kit. This project aims to design, implement and test a novel model of integrated mental health service that links a new mobile interactive tool-kit for self-directed help-seeking with existing traditional helpline services for young people. In partnership with Australia’s largest youth counselling service, Kids Helpline, the project seeks to investigate mobile technology in youth counselling and develop new understandings of ....Designing, implementing and evaluating a youth mobile help-seeking tool-kit. This project aims to design, implement and test a novel model of integrated mental health service that links a new mobile interactive tool-kit for self-directed help-seeking with existing traditional helpline services for young people. In partnership with Australia’s largest youth counselling service, Kids Helpline, the project seeks to investigate mobile technology in youth counselling and develop new understandings of blended traditional and mobile mental health interventions. It aims to design and evaluate an interactive tool-kit that provides credible health information through mobile devices, improving the quality and credibility of digital services to benefit the wellbeing of young Australians.Read moreRead less
A New, Low-cost E-health Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder Using Mental Imagery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,032.00
Summary
This project offers the first large-scale test of phone-based Functional Imagery Training (FIT), a new, low-cost way to help people change behaviours using mental imagery, regardless of where they live. The trial addresses Alcohol Use Disorder—a common problem with substantial health and social impacts, comparing FIT with verbal motivational treatments, and testing effects on alcohol use and quality of life over 12 months. Cost-effectiveness and predictions of outcome are also examined.
Organizational Change And Treatment Of Depression And Dementia In Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,052.00
Summary
Mental health disorders are common in aged care settings. However, these problems are not well managed. This situation results in distress for residents and family members, as well as high levels of burnout and turnover among staff. This project will address the organizational barriers with the aim of better managing and treating depression and behavioural problems associated with dementia.
Mapping the learning mechanisms linking adversity with maladjustment. Exposure to adversity, such as violence, neglect and natural disasters, is common and a powerful risk factor for emotional maladjustment. Yet knowledge of the underlying mechanisms linking adversity with emotional maladjustment is remarkably limited. By drawing from theories of adversity and learning and utilising novel experimental methodology, this project aims to map how adverse experiences have different negative effects o ....Mapping the learning mechanisms linking adversity with maladjustment. Exposure to adversity, such as violence, neglect and natural disasters, is common and a powerful risk factor for emotional maladjustment. Yet knowledge of the underlying mechanisms linking adversity with emotional maladjustment is remarkably limited. By drawing from theories of adversity and learning and utilising novel experimental methodology, this project aims to map how adverse experiences have different negative effects on daily emotional wellbeing by disrupting the mechanisms underlying how people learn to acquire and reduce reactivity to new threats. Expected benefits include new knowledge about the pathways linking adversity with psychopathology as well as the vital evidence-base for clear targets for behavioural interventions. Read moreRead less
Non-medical use of prescription stimulants by Australian university students: attitudes, prevalence of, and motivations for use. This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of student non-medical use of prescription stimulants. The findings will inform initiatives to prevent the abuse and misuse of pharmaceuticals, protect health and reduce the cost associated with inappropriate use of medicines.
A disease of the brain: how do neurobiological explanations of addiction influence the attitudes and behaviour of smokers? This project explores the impact of promoting addiction as a "brain disease" on smokers' confidence in their ability to quit smoking, and the methods they use to quit. This is essential to inform public health policies designed to reduce the burden of tobacco related harms.
Enhancing the public health approach to evidence-based parenting support: efficacy of a low intensity online intervention. Child conduct problems are among the most frequently diagnosed conditions in mental health services and often lead to long-term damaging consequences. This research examines the effects of a brief online parenting intervention to help parents become more skilled in their role, leading to better child adjustment and wellbeing.