{"title":"Different motivations for volunteering are associated with different outcomes for Australian animal welfare volunteers: a mixed-methods analysis","authors":"Luke Nykiel, Mandy B A Paterson, N. Pachana","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2151339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2151339","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective Inspired by the important role volunteers play in Australian society, the current study examined the relationship between different motivations for volunteering and different outcomes experienced by animal welfare volunteers. Method An anonymous, self-report questionnaire was completed online by 278 volunteers (84.53% female; M age = 45.19 years, SD = 18.13) of a large state-wide animal welfare organisation. A latent profile analysis was conducted with data collected using the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI), and interpreted alongside a thematic analysis of qualitative responses. Results Three groups of participants were identified, characterised by different prominent motivations to volunteer: personal values (values-driven group); personal values and personal growth (personal-gain group); and personal values, personal growth, and career-related factors (experience-oriented group). Values-driven volunteers experienced both pleasure and stress from the enactment of values-driven behaviour, and experienced increased opportunity for socialisation. Personal-gain volunteers experienced increased opportunity for socialisation and increased sense of purpose. Experience-oriented volunteers derived pleasure from enacting personal values, and increased opportunity to gain experience in animal-care. Conclusions Motivations for volunteering are complex and multifaceted. The current findings highlight how motivationally congruent volunteering behaviours can be associated with a range of positive outcomes for volunteers. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Volunteering is associated with positive physical and mental health outcomes. Australian volunteers are heterogenous in terms of demographics and motivations for volunteering. Mixed-method analyses can produced nuanced understandings of complex topics. What this topic adds: Volunteers have complex and multifaceted motivations for volunteering. Volunteering behaviours are associated with positive outcomes when these behaviours are congruent with motivations to volunteer. Volunteers may experience a range of positive social, psychological and practical outcomes when they engage in motivationally congruent volunteering.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42743342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Mazidi, M. Zarei, D. Preece, J. Gross, A. Azizi, R. Becerra
{"title":"Evaluating emotion regulation ability across negative and positive emotions: psychometric properties of the Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory (PERCI) in American adults and Iranian adults and adolescents","authors":"M. Mazidi, M. Zarei, D. Preece, J. Gross, A. Azizi, R. Becerra","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2157239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2157239","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective A critical factor for adaptive psychological functioning is the ability to successfully regulate negative and positive emotions. Various tools and methods have been developed to assess emotion regulation competence. Recently, the Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory (PERCI) was developed to overcome some of the limitations of previous assessment tools including a lack of emotion regulation assessment across both positive and negative emotions. To date, no studies have examined the PERCI’s psychometric properties among adolescents and non-Western general populations. Method To address this gap in the literature, we examined the psychometric properties of the PERCI among Iranian adolescents (n = 557), Iranian adults (n = 926), and American adults (n = 242). Participants also completed Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for measuring the concurrent validity of the PERCI. Results Confirmatory factor analyses supported the intended eight-factor structure that distinguishes between different emotion regulation components and negative and positive emotions. The eight-factor structure was also found invariant in terms of gender, age, and culture groups. Furthermore, the PERCI demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, as well as expected associations with measures of psychopathology, emotion regulation strategy, and alexithymia. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the PERCI has strong psychometric properties among both Middle Eastern and Western samples and can also be utilised with adolescents. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Difficulties in emotion regulation are contributing to the development, maintenance of numerous forms of psychopathology. The assessment of emotion regulation difficulties has been limited as it primarily focusd only on negative emotions. The Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory (PERCI) was recently developed to provide an integrated and valence-sensitive assessment of emotion regulation ability. What this topic adds: The PERCI can be used to measure emotion regulation competency in both adults and adolescents. The intended eight-factor structure of the PERCI that distinguishes between different emotion regulations components and negative and positive emotions was supported. The intended factor structure of the PERCI found invariant in terms of gender, age, and culture groups.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46909168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Eco-psychology: a critical paradigm in the climate emergency","authors":"P. Rhodes, James Dunk","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2157240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2157240","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This paper presents an argument that mainstream psychological practice is not equipped to respond to distress associated with the climate emergency. This is because the field focusses on individual pathology, rather than ecological context. It remains reticent about activism and politics and is ontologically aligned with the Anthropocene, a new era in which the human species is creating an observable effect in the geological record, to the detriment of the planet and its life forms. An introduction is provided to ecopsychology, a movement that has sought to subvert and transform mainstream psychology over the last three decades. Ecopsychology still offers an opportunity for mainstream psychology to alter its approach in the face of the climate emergency. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Clinical psychology is focussed on intrapsychic processes and indiivdual therapy. Psychology is typically hesitant about including political activism in clinical theorising or practice. New conceptualisations of both the psyche and practice are required in the Anthropocene. What this paper adds: Eco-psychology provides a framework for psychology in the climate crisis. The history of eco-psychology has ontological implications for traditional psychology. Interventions need to consider human distress as tied to the distress of non-human others.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47638208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A community-led suicide prevention initiative for young people in regional and rural Australia: the Live4Life model","authors":"Natasha Ludowyk, K. Trail, Rebecca Morecroft","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2158063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2158063","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Young people living in regional and rural areas of Australia are at an increased risk of suicide and have unique barriers and facilitators to seeking mental health support. As such, specific mental health and suicide prevention programmes that are tailored to young people within their communities are required. Despite this, peer-reviewed literature on such interventions is scant. In this commentary, we outline an existing rural place-based programme; Live4Life, created in 2009 in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria, and now running in nine Australian regional communities. We demonstrate that Live4Life shows promise in building the capacity of whole communities to support young people to recognise and seek help for mental health concerns. As such, we argue the need for further evaluation comparing Live4Life communities with matched control communities to assess the long-term impact of the programme and to support the upscaling of Live4Life across Australian regional and rural communities. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Young people face the highest burden of mental ill-health in Australia, with adolescent mental health challenges having long-lasting impacts on functioning and quality of life. Regional and rural Australians are particularly at risk, experiencing increased suicide rates and additional barriers to accessing mental health services. Place-based approaches to suicide prevention, which engage local communities have been identified as a need for regional and rural communities. What this topic adds: We outline the community-led programme Live4Life, which aims to increase community knowledge of youth mental health and encourage help-seeking behaviour in young people. We discuss the existing evidence demonstrating the potential impact of the Live4Life model on the communities in which it is implemented. We offer suggestions for future research evaluating the efficacy of the programme by comparing communities with Live4Life implemented to matched control communities.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42831637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A national study of the psychological theories and therapies covered within clinical psychology training programs in Australia","authors":"Tara Impala, Yogi Khosugi, N. Kazantzis","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2140581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2140581","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective Recent advancements in the field of psychotherapy have included a diversification in Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBTs), often referred to as the “third wave”, yet relatively little is known about their coverage in Australian postgraduate clinical psychology training. Data were gathered to study the relationships between training program theoretical orientation, therapies covered, and factors determining the coverage of therapies. Method Responses to a semi-structured interview of 28 Directors of Clinical Training (DCT) or equivalent of Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved clinical psychology training programs (representing 72% of all accredited programs) were examined. Results Behaviour and cognitive theories were identified as dominant in programs. Coverage of Beck’s CBT was not correlated with other CBTs, and the number of therapies covered did not distinguish integrative (64.3%) from non-integrative programs. In an examination of the factors guiding the adoption of insight orientated therapies (i.e., Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Humanistic Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Process Experiential/Emotion-Focused Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Existential Therapy), the focus of clinical research, and student interest emerged as significant predictors (β = −.16, SE =.06, p < .05, 95% Boot CI [−.27, −.03]). Conclusions Beck’s CBT, and its undergirding theories emerged as dominant and was not associated with coverage of more recent CBTs, suggesting that there is opportunity to diversify therapies covered considering their evidence base. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has evolved and now includes therapies focused on acceptance, dialectical thinking, and mindfulness. Australian clinical psychologists predominantly self-identify a CBT theoretical orientation. Previous surveys of clinical training programs indicate a primary focus on traditional CBT. What this topic adds: Data on the extent to which diverse theories are included in Australian clinical psychology programs. Data on the extent to which various therapies, including third wave CBTs are included in Australian clinical psychology programs. Data on the factors guiding the adoption of therapies in Australian clinical psychology programs.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49459063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reducing suicidal ideation in young adults: online tools to address perceived burdensomeness","authors":"Christopher Rainbow, G. Blashki, Glenn Melvin","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2135983","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2135983","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Suicide rates in Australian young adults have been increasing over the past decade. Psychological interventions with a selective focus can be effective to reduce suicidal ideation. Perceived burdensomeness, a belief that an individual’s death is worth more than their life, may drive suicidal ideation more strongly in young adults. Online modules, adapted short-term cognitive-behavioural therapy, and self-guided digital safety planning are among several evidence-based, brief therapies that have shown promise in reducing suicidal ideation through: (i) challenging thoughts of perceived burdensomeness and (ii) empowering young adults to strengthen supportive relationships with close others. While not a substitute for more intensive models of care, such interventions can be implemented with minimal input from clinicians where imminent risk of suicide is not present. With psychologists under increasing pressure to deliver services to young adults in suicidal distress, stepped care models that incorporate digital, selective interventions to address perceived burdensomeness may open new treatment pathways, significantly reduce suicidal ideation and protect against its future development. Key points What is already known about this topic: (1) Suicide is the leading cause of death for young adults in Australia, and has been rising over the past decade. (2) Past-year suicidal ideation is more prevalent in younger Australians than in older age groups. What this topic adds: (1) Online modules have successfully reduced perceived burdensomeness by coaching young adults to interrogate their beliefs and strengthen their supportive relationships. (2) Self-guided digital suicide safety planning has demonstrated high acceptability among young people and can strengthen suicide-related coping skills. (3) Incorporating targeted digital interventions into models of stepped care may open new treatment pathways to help young people better manage suicidal ideation.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47558359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cultural interventions that target mental health and wellbeing for First Nations Australians: a systematic review","authors":"Jaimi Summerton, S. Blunden","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2130026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2130026","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective The continuity of Australian First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) culture has been threatened by colonisation and effects of this continue to have devastating impacts on their social emotional wellbeing [SEWB], especially mental health. This review analyses cultural interventions aiming to improve mental health outcomes for First Nations Australians (e.g., mood, self-esteem, suicide-attempts, self-harm, risky behaviours) to uncover the effectiveness and key components of such interventions. Method Databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, LIt.search tool from Lowitja Inst, Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet and Google Scholar were searched. Studies published between 2000 and 2021 which reported the impact of cultural interventions on the mental health of First Nations Australians were included. Results From 172 studies, only eight studies met inclusion criteria and all improved measured domains of SEWB. Six studies evaluated culturally adapted interventions (i.e., Western interventions adapted to be culturally appropriate) and two evaluated culturally grounded interventions (i.e., interventions developed by First Nations Australians). Participants called for more cultural components in culturally adapted interventions. The most successful studies used collaborative and participatory approaches in the designs, included First Nations members in their research teams and presented culturally grounded interventions. Conclusions The paucity of literature limit findings. There was a limited ability to identify key mechanisms of change across some intervention studies, and large outcome variations across studies meant some aspects could not be compared. Nonetheless, this review concludes that culturally grounded interventions are the most promising and successful mental health interventions currently available for First Nations Australians which has many implications for practice and funding. Key Points What is already known about this topic: First Nations Australians experience poorer mental health and wellbeing than non-indigenous Australians. Previous attempts to improve the mental health of First Nations Australians utilising Western therapeutic interventions have been largely unsuccessful. More recent attempts to improve mental health for First Nations Australians utilising culture appear promising, that is, culturally adapted and culturally grounded therapeutic interventions. What this paper adds: (1) Culturally grounded interventions are effective, preferable over culturally adapted interventions, and best to use for improving the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations Australians. (2) Limited evaluations of cultural interventions have been conducted that provide empirical data showing the effectiveness of the intervention on mental health and wellbeing for First Nations Australians. (3) Successful forms of intervention evaluations with First Nations Australians utilise participatory and collaborative ","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44229585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factorial and construct validity of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) in an Australian sample","authors":"Kylie Rice, S. Larsen, Samantha Sharp, A. Rock","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2125280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2125280","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a 36-item self-report measure of nine emotion regulation strategies, extensively used in research. Despite widespread use, the instrument’s factor structure has not been investigated in an Australian sample, and some international scholars have questioned the factorial validity of the English translation. This study examined the CERQ’s psychometric properties in an Australian community sample. Method A sample of 781 Australian adults completed an online questionnaire consisting of demographic information, the CERQ, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original nine-factor model was not a good fit for the sample data, and a seven-factor model emerged as the best solution. The study investigated the construct validity of the seven-factor model by examining the relationship to self-reported psychological distress (DASS-21). Correlational and regression analysis supported construct validity; however, correlational results for the acceptance subscale suggest conceptual ambiguity. Conclusion The results demonstrate that a more parsimonious seven-factor model, rather than the proposed nine- and five-factor solutions, was the best fit for our data and suggest the factor structure of the CERQ may vary significantly between samples. Key Points What is already known about this topic: The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a popular measure of emotion regulation that is used in both research and practice. The CERQ has been validated in other language translations, but there are few studies that examine the psychometric properties of the English translation. The subscales of the CERQ have been grouped into maladaptive and adaptive strategies. What this topic adds: Despite widespread use, this study represents the first known attempt to validate the factor structure of the CERQ in an Australian sample. This study examined multiple possible factor structures of the English translation of the CERQ based on previous research, and a novel seven-factor solution emerged as the best fit for the data. Maladaptive coping strategies were associated with higher levels of psychological distress, although only one of the adaptive strategies was related to lower levels of psychological distress.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48450257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Neumann, Timothy M. Piatkowski, Robyn L. Moffitt, C. Minahan
{"title":"The mental health of elite athletes in developing nations of the greater Oceania region","authors":"D. Neumann, Timothy M. Piatkowski, Robyn L. Moffitt, C. Minahan","doi":"10.1080/00050067.2022.2130027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2022.2130027","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objective The mental health of elite athletes is reportedly similar to that of the general community, but there could be important differences across geographic regions and cultures. This study investigated the mental health and levels of psychological distress of elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region via a cross-sectional survey. Method The survey assessed the mental health status, psychological distress, and help-seeking behaviours of athletes from 12 nations of the Oceania region who participated in the Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain (GAPS) program. Results A high proportion of athletes (84%) met cut-off criteria for at least one of the investigated mental health symptoms. Athletes reported being most likely to seek help from their mother, father, or coach. Furthermore, athletes who reported high psychological distress did not differ in anticipated help-seeking behaviour from athletes who reported low psychological distress. Conclusions The findings suggest that mental health symptoms are prevalent among elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region. Psychological distress did not predict willingness to seek help, suggesting that education and support frameworks are needed to assist this vulnerable group. Piloting support programs in collaborative aid with nearby developed nations may be warranted and interventions may consider targeted mental health literacy resources and education. Key points What is already known about this topic: The demands athletes face increases their susceptibility to elevated mental health symptoms. Athletes may not seek help for mental health symptoms due to psychological (i.e., stigma) and physical (i.e., geographical) barriers. There is limited research on mental health symptoms and outcomes for athletes, especially among those from developing nations. What this topic adds: A high proportion of athletes (84%) exceeded cut-off scores for elevated psychological distress or a mental health symptom related to depression, anxiety, or eating. Athletes were more likely to seek help from their parents or coach than a mental health professional. Higher psychological distress did not predict help-seeking behaviour thus identifying a need for support programs and collaborative aid.","PeriodicalId":47679,"journal":{"name":"Australian Psychologist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48469474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}