Social Aspects Of Amputation Among An Aging Population In Urban And Rural Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,742.00
Summary
In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced dis ....In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced disease (e.g. cancer) or complications of chronic disease (e.g. diabetes). The study aims to increase our understanding of how people live with particular diseases and health conditions, the impact of these conditions on body image, self-esteem, social relationships and societal participation, and how structural, contextual and environmental factors affect individual functioning and disability. By including people of different gender, ethnicity, age and area of residence, the study is concerned with how life circumstances and socialization (including ideas of gender) influence outcome. The findings will contribute to our knowledge of adaptation and provide information relevant to improved care for people from different backgrounds. The study is significant because of the increase in chronic disease (relative to infectious disease) in contemporary industrialised societies, particularly with an aging population. The policy context of this work is government interest in maximising the independence and wellbeing of people who are aged and-or with chronic disease, while minimising the economic costs. The research is also significant to international agencies and consumer organisations concerned with reducing discrimination against and inequality of people with impairments. The study will contribute to the WHO classification of disability, and efforts to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.Read moreRead less
Why Do Australian Teenagers Fall Pregnant? Exploring The Antecedents Of Teenage Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,100.00
Summary
Teenage pregnancy is a major health, social and economic issue for Australia. The teenage birth rate in Australia is higher than many other developed countries and of additional concern is the very high pregnancy and termination rate. Teenage pregnancy places the mother and child at greater risk of lifelong adverse outcomes. Despite research over more than 3 decades, we have only a simplistic understanding of what are likely complex mechanisms leading to early pregnancy. This is thought to be th ....Teenage pregnancy is a major health, social and economic issue for Australia. The teenage birth rate in Australia is higher than many other developed countries and of additional concern is the very high pregnancy and termination rate. Teenage pregnancy places the mother and child at greater risk of lifelong adverse outcomes. Despite research over more than 3 decades, we have only a simplistic understanding of what are likely complex mechanisms leading to early pregnancy. This is thought to be the reason for the failure of nearly all teenage pregnancy prevention efforts worldwide. In addition, there has been little study of this issue in Australian teenagers, and none in Aboriginal teenagers for whom pregnancy is more common and carries worse outcomes. This 2-stage project seeks to elucidate complex biological, psychological, and social pathways to unplanned pregnancy in the teenage years. In Phase 1, perceptions, values and beliefs will be explored in a qualitative study. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teenagers attending antenatal, termination and family planning clinics will be interviewed. Data from these interviews will generate new hypotheses regarding pregnancy risk in this age group. In Phase 2, 600 teenagers from schools, antenatal and termination clinics will be surveyed using computerised questionnaires. They will be asked about beliefs (identified in phase 1) and a range of other individual, family, and environmental factors identified in other studies to be risk factors for early pregnancy. Statistical analysis will be used to determine how multiple risk factors interact or combine to shape sexual and childbearing behaviour. This study will lead to new understandings of teenage pregnancy in Australia, and more effective teenage pregnancy intervention programs. Because few researchers in Australia, or elsewhere, have taken such a comprehensive approach to data collection and analysis, the results will be of international significance.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Trauma Related Anger And The Cycles Of Violence In Post Conflict Countries: A Follow Up Study In Timor Leste
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,618.00
Summary
Our 2004 East Timor study showed that men who suffered abuses remain angry. We will follow-up these men to see if those who remained angry were more likely to be involved in social unrest and violence. We will also find out what factors make angry men more likely to act violently. This study will provide information to help agencies assist men overcome anger to avoid future violence.
After Hours Medical Care And Personal Safety Needs Of Urban General Practitioners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,250.00
Summary
Experiences of violence and aggression are widespread within the health care field. Episodes of violence and aggression against general practitioners (GPs) in their working environment are not uncommon. These incidents frequently go unreported and the toll they take on GPs, on a personal as well as a professional level, is unknown. The frequency and severity of violence experienced by some health professionals is extreme. Such experiences may undermine the confidence and commitment of GPs and ma ....Experiences of violence and aggression are widespread within the health care field. Episodes of violence and aggression against general practitioners (GPs) in their working environment are not uncommon. These incidents frequently go unreported and the toll they take on GPs, on a personal as well as a professional level, is unknown. The frequency and severity of violence experienced by some health professionals is extreme. Such experiences may undermine the confidence and commitment of GPs and may inevitably have detrimental effects on health care services. Studies in the UK indicate that violence against general practitioners is increasing, violence against GPs in rural areas of Australia is also increasing but there have been no comparable studies carried out in our major cities. This research aims to ask general practitioners working in a range of different urban areas around NSW to describe their experiences of dealing with violent and aggressive patients. The study will be the first of its kind in Australia to provide an important insight into the level of violent and aggressive behaviour GPs are subjected to in city areas. One of the key areas of concern that has been reported in medical journals and the general press has been an increase in attacks on GPs making house-calls, this project will therefore be particularly focussed on GPs who provide after hours care. This study is important so in order to find out exactly what the incidence of violence against our urban general practitioners is, what type of violence is actually occurring, where it is occurring, who the perpetrators are, and also what the longer term psychological effects of abuse against general practitioners may be. The findings from this study will be used by the Commonwealth Government and Health Departments to plan better ways of providing after hours medical care. The findings may also be used to educate GPs and medical students about safety in the workplace.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Oxytocin On Social Cognition And Behaviour In Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$261,117.00
Summary
Deficits in social functioning are one of the core features of Autism Spectrum Disorders and evidence suggests that the Oxytocin (OT) system may be dysregulated in these individuals. This proposal tests the effects of synthetic OT in a sample of youth with ASD on measures of social cognition and behaviour. This research may lead to more efficient and effective treatments for ASD and may enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Autism and related disorders.
Social Norms Regarding HIV-STI Risk And Risk Reduction Behaviours Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,269.00
Summary
In Australia, 85% of HIV infections are due to male homosexual contact. HIV-STI risk behaviour of individual gay-community-attached men has been well-studied, but social norms regarding behaviours are less well understood. We will collect new data about the norms regarding HIV-STI risk and risk reduction behaviours and compare their communication in gay communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. This study will provide information to better target HIV prevention and promote safe sex among men.
Young Adult Social Transitions - Course Of Mental And Behavioural Disorders:The Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,750.00
Summary
The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational partici ....The paths young people follow into adulthood have changed markedly in the past three decades. Traditionally the adoption of a role as marital partner, parent and fulltime employee in the late teens and early twenties was accompanied by a diminution or 'maturing out' of health risk behaviours and emotional problems arising in adolescence. The social transitions into adulthood are now both delayed and in many instances changed with higher rates of cohabitation, extended teriary educational participation and part-time employment. The effect of these social changes on health risk behaviours, behavioural and mental disorders is uncertain. This proposal will undertake a further follow-up in the late twenties of a group of just under 2000 young Victorians, already studied from the age of 14 years through to the age of 24 years. This study will assess the persistence of behavioural problems such as smoking and nicotine dependence, excessive alcohol consumption and dependence, cannabis dependence, illicit drug use, risk sexual behaviour, depression and anxiety disorders. The extent to which these may be associated with successful negotiation of transitions in education, employment, relationships, parenthood and establishing an independent home will be evaluated. Alternative explanations including the severity of dependence syndrome, personality, social background and genetic risk factors will also be explored.Read moreRead less