Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health最新文献

{"title":"‘Sometimes it’s harder to speak out things’: How first year New Zealand tertiary students use informal online communication to help solve significant problems","authors":"Fleur Piper, Barbara MacDonald","doi":"10.5172/jamh.7.3.135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.7.3.135","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate how first year domestic and international students at a New Zealand university use informal online communication to help solve significant personal problems. These students belong to the generation identified as ‘digital natives’ (Prensky, 2001) and represent a group whose expectations and experience is profoundly shaped by digital technology (Mollgaard, 2007). The majority of students in the study chose to share their problem with a friend or family member. Typically, these problems were most often about relationship and personal issues. The reasons for choosing to share online included convenience, location and also a desire to reduce feelings of vulnerability. For most respondents, the impact of this sharing was positive; however, only one fifth reported that the relationship got closer. While no gender differences emerged in the domestic students’ use of the online medium, the males’ responses to the research questionnaire tended to be more limited in detail. International male students were more likely to report that no change had occurred in their relationship as a result of seeking online help. Three quarters of the students reported that using online support contributed to some extent to the resolution of their problems because of the emotional support provided.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132577352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early intervention for preschoolers with behaviour problems: Preliminary findings for the Exploring Together Preschool Program","authors":"Kate Reid, L. Littlefield, Sabine W. Hammond","doi":"10.5172/jamh.7.1.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.7.1.15","url":null,"abstract":"There is increasing recognition of the need for early intervention into behavioural problems in preschool aged children (3–6 years) to prevent long-term adverse outcomes. This paper reports on the Exploring Together Preschool Program (ETPP), an innovative, developmental theory based, early intervention program, aimed at preschoolers referred with behaviour problems who are at risk of developing ongoing mental health problems. ETPP is a multifaceted group program comprising parent behaviour management training, parent-child interaction therapy, and children’s social problem-solving training. Seven groups comprising 37 preschoolers and one of their parents referred from clinical and community settings participated in the 10-week program. Results indicate that children’s behaviour problems reduced clinically and significantly from pre- to post-program whilst social skills improved significantly. Parenting practices and parents’ satisfaction with their role also improved significantly. Improvements were mostly maintained at 6-month follow-up. Developmental theory suggests that these changes will help prevent behaviour problems from developing into long-term, enduring mental health problems. The study provides preliminary evidence that ETPP is a theoretically and developmentally sound, comprehensive intervention for Australian families with preschool aged children who show early signs of mental health problems.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127244507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in identifying emotional and behavioural problems in children of parents with a mental illness in Australia","authors":"J. Mathai, S. Jespersen, Angela Bourne, T. Donegan, Akinsola Akinbiyi, K. Gray","doi":"10.5172/jamh.7.3.200","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.7.3.200","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Thirty six children of parents who attended the adult outpatient service in the Werribee Mercy Mental Health Program were screened for possible emotional and behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The proportion of children identified with difficulties was 50 percent, much higher than in the general population. Fifty eight percent of the children had chronic problems and the difficulties were perceived to be moderate to severe in 53 percent of the sample. The burden of these difficulties on the family was also high. Despite this, only a small proportion of children were then referred for further assessment and treatment. More psycho-education for both clinicians in the adult service and for parents is required. Difficulties in recruitment resulted in low numbers for this study. There continues to be difficulty in parents consenting for their children to be assessed.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122857684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The response of children to the psychiatric hospitalisation of a family member","authors":"H. Sivec, P. Masterson, J. Katz, S. Russ","doi":"10.5172/jamh.7.2.121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.7.2.121","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The children of parents with mental illness face numerous challenges. While there is abundant evidence of an increased risk for mental health problems, there has been less written about the immediate impact of experiencing a parent’s psychiatric crisis (e.g., hospitalisation). The current investigation aims to extend the current research literature by identifying clinical characteristics (i.e., symptoms of anxiety and/or depression), questions, and concerns reported by minor children when a significant caregiver in their life was hospitalised as the result of a serious mental illness. Standardised psychological tests of anxiety and depression were administered to 49 children, aged 7-17 years, at a time when a family member was admitted to a government-operated, psychiatric hospital. The children were also asked a set of structured questions in order to assess their concerns and questions at the time of a visit with their parent/relative at the hospital. Composite scores for the anxiety and depression scales fell within the normative range for the entire sample. However, roughly 40% of children produced at least one score that fell in the clinical range on anxiety subscales. Children reported that they were mainly happy to see their parent/relative in the hospital and eager to interact with them. The results are discussed in terms of ways to effectively meet the needs of a child whose parent or family member is hospitalised.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"107 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133174599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Parents and Adolescents Communicating Together (PACT): a conflict resolution program","authors":"M. Soltys, L. Littlefield","doi":"10.5172/jamh.7.1.30","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.7.1.30","url":null,"abstract":"This study was designed to evaluate Parents and Adolescents Communicating Together (PACT), a program based on the skills of the Wise Ways to Win conflict resolution model (CRM). Mothers and adolescents participated in this program to enhance their communication skills and to develop effective conflict resolution skills. Multivariate analyses were used to examine whether mothers’ and adolescents’ understanding of the specific skills of the CRM improved following participation in the program. Results indicated that the program was successful in increasing mothers’ and adolescents’ abilities to resolve conflict with the aim of finding win-win solutions to problems. Changes in mother-adolescent conflict levels and improvements in communication skills were small, although the participants reported low levels of conflict in the mother-adolescent relationship and reasonable communication skills prior to participation in the program. The Wise Ways to Win conflict resolution model appears to be a theoretically sound model for teaching mothers and adolescents effective conflict resolution skills with the aim of creating win-win solutions to problems.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127477162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The construction of youth suicide as a community issue within urban and regional Australia","authors":"S. Fullagar, Heidi E Gilchrist, G. Sullivan","doi":"10.5172/jamh.6.2.107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.6.2.107","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract There is a dilemma within the suicide prevention field about the extent to which suicide should be openly discussed as a community issue. Some fear provoking imitation while others think it is essential in order to improve awareness, understanding and appropriate responses to young people’s distress. While youth suicide is widely recognised to be an important issue within Australian society, little research has been undertaken on the sociocultural context that shapes how it is constructed. This article reports on the findings of research within an urban and a regional community in which samples of young people, adults and service providers were interviewed about how youth suicide was viewed as an issue. The study revealed how different rural and urban community identities were connected to suicide through the circulation of media reports, personal stories and the (mis)use of statistics. Youth suicide was constructed through the process of young people talking about it with peers, and adults talking with each other, in ways that often emphasised selfishness, individual failing and stereotyping of marginalised groups. In contrast, professionals largely drew upon notions of risk to identify particular groups. In conclusion, we argue that dominant constructions can have a negative effect on access to services, community mobilisation and support around the issue of youth suicide. There is value in considering how to create dialogue between adults and young people who might benefit from engaging with views other than those of their young friends and classmates. We also recommend a more careful appraisal of the literature on normalisation and imitation.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121747141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Finding a place for healing: Women survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their experience of accessing services","authors":"L. O'brien, C. Henderson, J. Bateman","doi":"10.5172/jamh.6.2.91","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.6.2.91","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Women survivors of child sexual abuse often suffer a range of difficulties including a chronic and painful sense of insecurity, a lack of self-esteem, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, poor frustration tolerance, overwhelming emotions, depression, sensitivity to criticism and rejection, distrust, suspiciousness and a fragile sense of self. They may also experience a range of serious psychological consequences, their life trajectory often marked by chaos and complexity. In Australia, services have been developed in government, non-government and private sectors to meet the needs of these women; however, anecdotal evidence suggests that services may be patchy in both availability and standards. The aim of the Reframing Responses study (O’Brien, Henderson & Bateman, 2006) was to explore the provision of services in the non-government sector. This paper presents findings related to the experiences of women survivors of child sexual abuse in accessing and utilising services. A qualitative study design was used. Fourteen women participated in focus groups and interviews to provide rich descriptions of their experiences of disclosure, accessing services, what was helpful, and what was unhelpful. The women provided descriptions of their experience of services across all sectors. They confirmed a lack of availability particularly in terms of longer-term counselling, a lack of consistency in terms of models and standards, and provided clear indications of what was helpful and what was not. The findings of this study have implications for the development of services for consistency in standards of services, models, and needs for training and education.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131292671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘They just don’t care’: The experiences of mental health consumers in a Queensland bush community","authors":"L. McColl","doi":"10.5172/jamh.6.2.138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.6.2.138","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This paper examines the experiences of mental health consumers in a rural community. It is the result of research undertaken in ‘Ruraltown,’ a Queensland rural community, to determine the influence of bush identity on attitudes to mental health. During the course of this research, the negative plight of mental health consumers in the community became apparent. Through questionnaires and interviews with consumers, it was discovered that they felt discriminated against, alienated, disempowered, unsupported and alone. Although consumer input has been acknowledged as essential to mental health reform in recent years, this paper argues that there is still a long way to go. Issues identified by Ruraltown consumers include the negative perception of mental health issues, barriers that they encounter, stigma, and service provision problems. Lack of understanding and support from the community was also raised by consumers as compounding their isolation. The paper concludes with recommendations to enhance the situation for mental health consumers, not only in Ruraltown but in all rural communities. These include increased consumer involvement in mental health awareness, promotion and educational activities, improved service provision and, most importantly, ways to empower and encourage mental health consumers to become valued community members.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127080660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘A very individual thing’: Findings on drug therapy in psychiatry from the perspective of Australian consumers","authors":"P. McGrath, M. Bouwman, V. Kalyanasundaram","doi":"10.5172/jamh.6.3.221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.6.3.221","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Ten participants were interviewed as to their experiences which led to their recovery from mental illness. A variety of both positive and negative experiences relating to the use and misuse of drug therapy reported by these consumers highlights the much personalised nature of recovery. In particular, the timeliness of the drug therapy, the duration, type and dosage of prescribed drugs, and even whether prescribed drugs were used at all, were all factors reported to impact on recovery. The findings highlight many negative aspects of the drug imperative within the Australian psychiatric system. Participants indicated that in their experience the mainstay of psychiatry is the administration of drugs which are given often without counselling, with little information and scant support to either the patient or their family. Individual resistance to drug therapy is seen as experimental and not easily tolerated within the mental health system: a system described as disempowering, offering scant therapeutic choices and not respecting individual difference. A minority of participants do value the contribution that drug therapies can make to control the worst aspects of their mental illness. Also, drug treatment is seen as particularly important during a psychotic episode. The findings contrast the use of drug therapy as a means of ‘risk management’ with a consumer oriented self-driven recovery model. To explore therapeutic strategies other than drug treatments, the consumer needs to be highly motivated, mindful of the family consequences, and have the trust and support of a sympathetic psychiatrist.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127445025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An evaluation of the CAST program using a conceptual model of school-based implementation","authors":"Denis Corboy, J. Mcdonald","doi":"10.5172/jamh.6.1.63","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.6.1.63","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Therapeutic prevention and/or early intervention programs for children at risk of developing disruptive behaviour disorders are increasingly being implemented in schools. One such Australian school-based program is CAST: CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and Schools Together, an evidenced-based program treating children with emerging disruptive behaviour disorders in the early primary school years. The current evaluation examines the process of implementation of the CAST program in primary schools. By using a conceptual model of school-based implementation (developed by Greenberg, Domitrovich, Graczyk & Zins, 2005) the wide array of factors that can affect successful implementation at the school level were identified, and those elements critical to implementation quality were examined. Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with a sample of 69 school personnel across 16 schools in the City of Ballarat and wider Grampians region of Victoria, in both government and Catholic primary schools. Results showed that schools were highly satisfied with the quality of CAST resources and personnel, and the implementation and delivery of sessions as planned. Aspects that impacted negatively on the implementation process were the lack of parental engagement; the lack of classroom follow-up in some schools; the level of readiness and preplanning by the schools; and the availability of technical support. Greenberg’s conceptual model appears to be a useful framework to utilise in examining the implementation of the CAST model, as it allowed close examination of how the program was implemented within naturally occurring constraints. It allowed the identification of elements within the CAST model and the associated support system that must be maintained and nurtured by the collaborating parties, in addition to the factors at a school level that are potential barriers to effective implementation. Identification and examination of such factors assist in ensuring quality outcomes for school-based interventions in the future.","PeriodicalId":358240,"journal":{"name":"Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health","volume":"206 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114293761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}