Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI110100034
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,401.00
Summary
Measurement matters: analysis of potential methodological and discrimination biases in assessments of medication treatments for ADHD, and stakeholder views. This research aims to identify multiple stakeholders' views of the nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and test if discrimination and survey wording result in bias when assessing the impact of medical treatments. This will result in understandings of discrimination and measurement bias; multiple stakeholders' perceptions; and ....Measurement matters: analysis of potential methodological and discrimination biases in assessments of medication treatments for ADHD, and stakeholder views. This research aims to identify multiple stakeholders' views of the nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and test if discrimination and survey wording result in bias when assessing the impact of medical treatments. This will result in understandings of discrimination and measurement bias; multiple stakeholders' perceptions; and better methodology in research.
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Social perception in late adulthood. Social perception refers broadly to the ability to decode and react appropriately to the social signals sent out by other people, and is a critical predictor of social competency and wellbeing. The aim of this project is to gain a clearer picture of when and why older adults experience social perceptual difficulties, as well as any consequences of these difficulties. A key prediction is that those older adults who have most difficulty with social perception w ....Social perception in late adulthood. Social perception refers broadly to the ability to decode and react appropriately to the social signals sent out by other people, and is a critical predictor of social competency and wellbeing. The aim of this project is to gain a clearer picture of when and why older adults experience social perceptual difficulties, as well as any consequences of these difficulties. A key prediction is that those older adults who have most difficulty with social perception will also have lowest wellbeing. Identifying which older adults are most likely to experience social perceptual difficulties, as well as which aspects of social perception are relatively intact, are expected to help to guide interventions on how to maintain wellbeing in old age.Read moreRead less
A longitudinal study into the development of personal vulnerabilities and well-being in adolescence. This longitudinal study examines the temperament and environmental factors that promote character strengths in adolescents. Character strengths such as empathy and emotion-management skills are potentially teachable and help prevent an adolescent from experiencing difficulties in social, emotional and academic adjustment.
Identifying genes for cognition. We have established a large twin sample and are the Australian arm of an international consortium to identify genes for cognition. This work will transform our understanding of brain functions that affect normal cognitive functioning. It has potentially enormous public health significance by providing clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Many different conditions affect people's ability to think and remember (e.g. schizophrenia, dem ....Identifying genes for cognition. We have established a large twin sample and are the Australian arm of an international consortium to identify genes for cognition. This work will transform our understanding of brain functions that affect normal cognitive functioning. It has potentially enormous public health significance by providing clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Many different conditions affect people's ability to think and remember (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia). By understanding how cognitive processes work in healthy individuals, we can better identify the fundamental mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. This may have future applications for treating brain dysfunction, and managing memory of intellectual disabilities.Read moreRead less
Sleep and speech: objectively monitoring the residual effects of sleep promoting compounds. This project will benefit the one in 11 Australians with sleep difficulties. The project will improve how the safety of drugs for insomnia are evaluated by examining the changes in our speech that occur when we are impaired. The findings are expected to reduce the cost of accidents and injuries due to impairment from sleep medications.
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.
Depression and Diabetes: Prevalence, diagnosis and help-seeking: Influence on depression, glycemic control and quality of life. Depression has been reported to be twice as prevalent and more persistent in individuals with diabetes than in the general population. The current research will investigate the point-prevalence of depression in a large sample of Australian diabetic outpatients using a case-finding instrument (CES-D) and follow-up structured clinical interview where appropriate. Demogr ....Depression and Diabetes: Prevalence, diagnosis and help-seeking: Influence on depression, glycemic control and quality of life. Depression has been reported to be twice as prevalent and more persistent in individuals with diabetes than in the general population. The current research will investigate the point-prevalence of depression in a large sample of Australian diabetic outpatients using a case-finding instrument (CES-D) and follow-up structured clinical interview where appropriate. Demographic, medical, and psychological correlates of depressiono will be investigated. The effects of the screening procedure and diagnosis on help-seeking behaviour, course of the depression, self-care, and glycemic control as well as qualtiy of life will be evaluated after six months.Read moreRead less
Risk factors for the development of paediatric anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are common and debilitating forms of disability affecting Australian children. This project blends strategic basic research with clinical application to advance our understanding of the causes of these disorders. By examining underlying child- and parent-based mechanisms by which children at greatest risk for these disorders transition to anxiety-disordered status, this project will lead to improved prevention an ....Risk factors for the development of paediatric anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are common and debilitating forms of disability affecting Australian children. This project blends strategic basic research with clinical application to advance our understanding of the causes of these disorders. By examining underlying child- and parent-based mechanisms by which children at greatest risk for these disorders transition to anxiety-disordered status, this project will lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies, which will improve the lives of affected children and their families and significantly reduce the financial burden on the Australian health care system.Read moreRead less
Developing a novel method for delivering a behavioral intervention for decreasing morbidity in women with a chronic disease: a randomized controlled trial. Currently there are 209.8 deaths from heart, stroke and vascular diseases per 100 000 of the Australian female population each year, with the rates being considerably high in the elderly female population. Despite the potential benefits of behavioural strategies to prevent morbidity in women with chronic disease, studies to date have not targ ....Developing a novel method for delivering a behavioral intervention for decreasing morbidity in women with a chronic disease: a randomized controlled trial. Currently there are 209.8 deaths from heart, stroke and vascular diseases per 100 000 of the Australian female population each year, with the rates being considerably high in the elderly female population. Despite the potential benefits of behavioural strategies to prevent morbidity in women with chronic disease, studies to date have not targeted women who already have a chronic disease in a clinical setting. This research study will address this, helping postmenopausal women who have chronic disease change negative health behaviours and increase physical activity and self efficacy, improve quality of life and decrease blood pressure, obesity and tobacco use.Read moreRead less
Evaluation of treatment outcomes for court-referred and voluntary clients in residential and outclient substance abuse treatment programs. Very little research has been conducted evaluating the relative effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs for court-referred clients, compared with voluntary clients. This project will obtain psychological, social and health measures in order to compare short- and long-term treatment outcomes. Its significance lies not only in its potential to evalu ....Evaluation of treatment outcomes for court-referred and voluntary clients in residential and outclient substance abuse treatment programs. Very little research has been conducted evaluating the relative effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs for court-referred clients, compared with voluntary clients. This project will obtain psychological, social and health measures in order to compare short- and long-term treatment outcomes. Its significance lies not only in its potential to evaluate the success of treatment for clients diverted from the criminal justice system, but also in its unique focus on a wide range of outcomes for different client groups.Read moreRead less