Subjective wellbeing and depression in Australia: A longitudinal study involving people in remote locations. This project is an extension of the Australian Unity Wellbeing surveys currently conducted as in a partnership between the industry partner and Deakin University. The project will involve the participants of current cross-sectional surveys into a longitudinal study. There are three aims: To investigate the ability of decreased levels of subjective wellbeing to signal depression; To tr ....Subjective wellbeing and depression in Australia: A longitudinal study involving people in remote locations. This project is an extension of the Australian Unity Wellbeing surveys currently conducted as in a partnership between the industry partner and Deakin University. The project will involve the participants of current cross-sectional surveys into a longitudinal study. There are three aims: To investigate the ability of decreased levels of subjective wellbeing to signal depression; To track the normal course of subjective wellbeing recovery following a life event that has caused it to decrease; To monitor the subjective wellbeing of rural-remote Australians. These outcomes will provide further understanding of depression and the wellbeing of Australians living in remote setting.Read moreRead less
The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. This project aims to better understand how oxytocin mediates links between maternal sensitivity and attachment and child socio-emotional outcomes. The child's emotional health is the most powerful childhood predictor of adult life satisfaction, and evidence points to the pivotal role of the oxytocin system on mother-child interactions and attac ....The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. This project aims to better understand how oxytocin mediates links between maternal sensitivity and attachment and child socio-emotional outcomes. The child's emotional health is the most powerful childhood predictor of adult life satisfaction, and evidence points to the pivotal role of the oxytocin system on mother-child interactions and attachment representations that affect children's socio-emotional development. As a longitudinal study of oxytocin function in mother-child dyads, it examines how genetic, epigenetic and parenting factors determine socio-emotional and temperamental outcomes.Read moreRead less
Metal-air batteries with improved rate capability and safety for hearing applications. Hearing impairment affects on average 20% of the adult population in western society, with the impact being as high as 50% in older adults. Effective hearing devices require a significant amount of power, supplied by a battery, to support their function. Current batteries require very frequent replacement and represent a significant impediment to advances in the technology. This project will develop improved ....Metal-air batteries with improved rate capability and safety for hearing applications. Hearing impairment affects on average 20% of the adult population in western society, with the impact being as high as 50% in older adults. Effective hearing devices require a significant amount of power, supplied by a battery, to support their function. Current batteries require very frequent replacement and represent a significant impediment to advances in the technology. This project will develop improved energy and power density batteries which will lead to immediate implementation of more powerful signal processing algorithms, making hearing aids much more effective and appealing to the user. This, in turn, will improve recipient compliance and thus the quality of life for those with severe hearing impairment. Read moreRead less
The economic impact of chronic degenerative neurological disease on well-being. This study is designed to determine the financial impact of chronic progressive neurological illnesses on people with these disorders and their families. Due to the nature of these illnesses and the time of onset, financial strain is a major concern for people with these disorders. This research is central to the improvement of services to address the changes in financial situation associated with these disorders and ....The economic impact of chronic degenerative neurological disease on well-being. This study is designed to determine the financial impact of chronic progressive neurological illnesses on people with these disorders and their families. Due to the nature of these illnesses and the time of onset, financial strain is a major concern for people with these disorders. This research is central to the improvement of services to address the changes in financial situation associated with these disorders and its impact. The results will lead to an understanding of factors related to financial strain, and the development of services to address the well-being of this population.Read moreRead less
Developing a Model of ICU Transition Care; Enhancing Services, Enabling Nurses, Empowering Patients. The transition from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the ward is traumatic for patients and families and difficult for ward nurses. Using focus groups and an intervention study, this research will develop and evaluate a model of ICU transition care and demonstrate the extent to which appropriate transition care improves a variety of outcomes for patients, families and staff. We anticipate that t ....Developing a Model of ICU Transition Care; Enhancing Services, Enabling Nurses, Empowering Patients. The transition from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the ward is traumatic for patients and families and difficult for ward nurses. Using focus groups and an intervention study, this research will develop and evaluate a model of ICU transition care and demonstrate the extent to which appropriate transition care improves a variety of outcomes for patients, families and staff. We anticipate that this model will influence practice and policy decisions and be useful in other setting and with other groups who face life transitions such as the military, corrective care and rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
Preventing Suicide: A psychological autopsy study of the last contact with a health professional before suicide. In Australia, 48% of all suicides in 2000 were by 35-64 year olds; an additional 13% were by 65 years and over. This study will examine the last clinical contact older suicide victims had with health professionals in order to determine whether this contact offers an opportunity for intervention. For the first time in Australia, GP's, health professionals, and the deceased's next-of-ki ....Preventing Suicide: A psychological autopsy study of the last contact with a health professional before suicide. In Australia, 48% of all suicides in 2000 were by 35-64 year olds; an additional 13% were by 65 years and over. This study will examine the last clinical contact older suicide victims had with health professionals in order to determine whether this contact offers an opportunity for intervention. For the first time in Australia, GP's, health professionals, and the deceased's next-of-kin will be interviewed to determine the context surrounding the deceased's death, and the abilities of health professionals to identify warning signs and to intervene prior to suicide. Given our ageing population, the outcomes will be significant in educating all health professionals to identify suicidal signs, and to prevent premature death in the elderly.Read moreRead less
Exploring Wellbeing Outcomes in the Aquatic and Recreation Industry. This project aims to investigate the impact on individual wellbeing through use of public aquatic and recreation centres in Australia. Through the use of mixed methods across multiple locations, the project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect on users of different management and service models for the provision of aquatic and recreational infrastructure. Expected outcomes include a quantifiable measure of social and ....Exploring Wellbeing Outcomes in the Aquatic and Recreation Industry. This project aims to investigate the impact on individual wellbeing through use of public aquatic and recreation centres in Australia. Through the use of mixed methods across multiple locations, the project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect on users of different management and service models for the provision of aquatic and recreational infrastructure. Expected outcomes include a quantifiable measure of social and emotional wellbeing that can be utilised by centre management and government. This will help assessment of best practice for maximising community wellbeing, and can guide investment decisions by state and local government.Read moreRead less
The adoption and maintenance of physical activity in 25-45 year old sedentary females. This research project will investigate interventions based on proven elements of theories on the adoption and maintenance of increased physical activity and psychological well-being in sedentary women aged 25-45 years, who are at risk of remaining inactive. A longitudinal study will examine the efficacy of adoption and maintenance interventions that combine effective constructs identified in analysis of theori ....The adoption and maintenance of physical activity in 25-45 year old sedentary females. This research project will investigate interventions based on proven elements of theories on the adoption and maintenance of increased physical activity and psychological well-being in sedentary women aged 25-45 years, who are at risk of remaining inactive. A longitudinal study will examine the efficacy of adoption and maintenance interventions that combine effective constructs identified in analysis of theories. Effective intervention will promote current life-experience, healthy lifestyle in later life, and decrease risk of chronic ill health.Read moreRead less
Health, Freedom and Independent Contracting. The project will offer significant insights into the effects of independent contracts on the key area of rural health. The project will be able to gauge whether independent contracts offer significant improvements to the health and well being of those who use them, as well as the advantages to industry. In addition, the project will also consider the important ethical issue of whether independent contracts enhance the freedom of individual workers and ....Health, Freedom and Independent Contracting. The project will offer significant insights into the effects of independent contracts on the key area of rural health. The project will be able to gauge whether independent contracts offer significant improvements to the health and well being of those who use them, as well as the advantages to industry. In addition, the project will also consider the important ethical issue of whether independent contracts enhance the freedom of individual workers and in what ways.Read moreRead less
The transition from secondary school to adulthood: Experiences and life outcomes for youth with an intellectual disability and their families. This project seeks to explore the challenges faced and outcomes achieved by students with an intellectual disability as they move from secondary school into adult life. The study will investigate the factors at an individual, educational, family, and societal level which positively and adversely affect outcomes for young people with an intellectual disab ....The transition from secondary school to adulthood: Experiences and life outcomes for youth with an intellectual disability and their families. This project seeks to explore the challenges faced and outcomes achieved by students with an intellectual disability as they move from secondary school into adult life. The study will investigate the factors at an individual, educational, family, and societal level which positively and adversely affect outcomes for young people with an intellectual disability and their families. Family impacts can include significant loss of income as parents may have to cease employment to care for their young adult who has limited employment or day placement options. Gaining the knowledge to minimise the disruption to family life, which often occurs at this time of transition, will lead to strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less