173 research outputs found
Potentially stressful life events and emotional closeness between grandparents and adult grandchildren
No full textThe purpose of this study is to explore the variation in emotional closeness in the adult grandchild and grandparent relationship in relation to the occur-rence of potentially stressful life events in childhood. A sample of university students (N = 119) completed a questionnaire measuring elements of inter-generational solidarity. Comparisons were made on emotional closeness between groups that had and had not experienced a life event, revealing it was the grandparent’s enactment of normative solidarity, as perceived by the adult grandchild, that produced greater emotional closeness. Complementing the findings of Bengston and Roberts, this research supports the theoretical view that high levels of normative solidarity lead to greater affectual solidarity, which in turn produces higher associational solidarity
The impact of alcohol ignition interlocks on a group of recidivist drink drivers
No full textA randomised trial of court mandated alcohol ignition interlocks is currently being implemented in South-East Queensland. The study aims to determine whether the device in combination with a drink driving rehabilitation program is more effective than the rehabilitation program alone in reducing drink driving recidivism. This paper reports from the user’s perspective on the experience of their undertaking the rehabilitation program and the use of interlocks as a sentencing option. Data was collected through structured interviews with participants on five occasions while they were on the trial. Initial findings regarding the impact of interlocks on convicted offenders’ drinking, driving and drink driving behaviour as well as their motivation and self-efficacy levels to change and/or control their drinking and drink driving will be reported. The reliability of the self-report data will be reviewed in comparison to the downloaded interlock recordings, and the group’s perceptions regarding the purpose and effectiveness of interlocks as a sentencing option are examined. Early results indicate considerable variation in participants’ ability to both modify their behaviour and successfully use the device. A major limitation of the study has been the small number of offenders recruited to the trial through the courts
Beliefs underlying intentions to participate in group parenting education
No full textThe present study examined the underlying behavioural, normative and control beliefs related to intention to participate in group parenting education amongst 176 parents, using Ajzen and Madden’s (1986) theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess their behavioural, normative and control beliefs in regards to participation. To examine beliefs, a series of multivariate analyses of variance were conducted which revealed that behavioural, normative and control beliefs distinguished between parents intending to participate in group parenting education and those who did not intend to participate. Specifically, intenders and non-intenders differed in terms of beliefs regarding: the costs (e.g., restricted approach) and benefits (e.g., improving the relationship with their children); the perceptions of important referents (e.g., family) and factors inhibiting (e.g., cost) control over participation. Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed the most important predictors of intentions were behavioural beliefs. These findings provide important applied information that can be utilised to inform future strategies to increase participation rates
Reframing Work-Life Interface Stressors as Challenges
No full textWhile our first book in this trilogy on resilience, resourcefulness, coping and recovery is focused more on the positivist outlook on life’s challenges, and the third book walks us through the heavy going of surviving trauma, this book focuses more on the 'know how', intra and inter psychically, about particular events that occur in life and how and why individuals react to them in different ways. Whether it is about internal resources, knowing how to tap into external resources, or how we determine that we are on the right path in life, this book examines interesting ideas and studies in the field of coping and survival. [Book Synopsis
Depression among Holocaust survivors : a meta-analytic review
No full textThe publication of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) introduced the notion that a life-threatening illness can be a stressor and catalyst for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then a solid body of research has been established investigating the post-diagnosis experience of cancer. These studies have identified a number of short and long-term life changes resulting from a diagnosis of cancer and associated treatments. In this chapter, we discuss the psychosocial response to the cancer experience and the potential for cancer-related distress. Cancer can represent a life-threatening diagnosis that may be associated with aggressive treatments and result in physical and psychological changes. The potential for future trauma through the lasting effects of the disease and treatment, and the possibility of recurrence, can be a source of continued psychological distress. In addition to the documented adverse repercussions of cancer, we also outline the recent shift that has occurred in the psycho-oncology literature regarding positive life change or posttraumatic growth that is commonly reported after a diagnosis of cancer. Adopting a salutogenic framework acknowledges that the cancer experience is a dynamic psychosocial process with both negative and positive repercussions. Next, we describe the situational and individual factors that are associated with posttraumatic growth and the types of positive life change that are prevalent in this context. Finally, we discuss the implications of this research in a therapeutic context and the directions of future posttraumatic growth research with cancer survivors. This chapter will present both quantitative and qualitative research that indicates the potential for personal growth from adversity rather than just mere survival and return to pre-diagnosis functioning. It is important to emphasise however, that the presence of growth and prevalence of resilience does not negate the extremely distressing nature of a cancer diagnosis for the patient and their families and the suffering that can accompany treatment regimes. Indeed, it will be explained that for growth to occur, the experience must be one that quite literally shatters previously held schemas in order to act as a catalyst for change
Drink driving rehabilitation programs and alcohol ignition interlocks: Is there a need for more research?
No full textDrink driving continues to be a serious problem on Australian roads, as alcohol-related crashes result in substantial injuries, fatalities and property damage. While legal sanctions such as fines and licence disqualification periods have been effective in preventing a large proportion of the population from drink driving, sanctions have been relatively ineffective in reducing alcohol-impaired driving among 'hard-core' repeat offenders (Marques, Voas and Hodgins 1998). As a result, drink driving rehabilitation programs and alcohol ignition interlocks are being employed as additional countermeasures to reduce the prevalence of alcohol-related injuries and fatalities on public roads. This report aims to review the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of rehabilitation and interlock programs, and to provide support for the expansion of upcoming Australian interlock trials to include (a) screening and matching procedures, (b) intervention and/or support programs and (c) formative evaluations that focus on a number of measurement outcomes.\ud
\ud
Research has repeatedly demonstrated that between 20% and 30% of convicted drink drivers re-offend (Buchanan 1995; Henderson 1996; Langford, 1998; Popkin 1994; Ryan et al. 1996) and that this sub-group of drivers is disproportionately represented in crash statistics (Hedlund and Fell 1995; Marques et al. 1998). The most common strategy to deter convicted drink drivers has traditionally been to increase law-enforcement activities such as arrests, convictions, fines and licence disqualification periods (Longest 1999). This approach has proven extremely successful for the majority of people who fear authority or perceive the probability of apprehension as relatively high and sanctions as severe (Homel 1988; Ross 1992). However punitive sanctions have not proven to be as effective for recidivist, habitual drink drivers who have previously experienced punitive sanctions such as fines and licence disqualification periods but continue to drink and drive. \ud
\ud
There has been continued debate within the literature regarding the effectiveness of legal sanctions to reduce recidivist drink driving compared with that of alternative countermeasures such as rehabilitation programs (Nichols and Ross 1990). While research has demonstrated that first-time offenders benefit most from licence sanctions (e.g. disqualification periods), rehabilitation programs (often in combination with legal sanctions) produce the greatest and longest reduction in repeat offending for recidivist drink drivers (DeYoung 1997; McKnight and Voas 1991; Sadler, Perrine and Peck 1991)
Promoting Adult Resilience (PAR): Participant Workbook
No full textThe RAP-A Workbook comprises all of the handouts required for the program's individual and group activities. A Participant Workbook is required for each adolescent to write in, and keep at the end of the program
Deterrence, defiance and deviance: An investigation into a group of recidivist drink drivers' self-reported offending behaviours
No full textThis article reports on the utilisation of aspects of defiance, deviance and deterrence theories to examine the self-reported offending behaviours and punishment experiences for a group of recidivist drink drivers (N = 166). The analysis indicated that the sample perceived their penalties as severe yet fair, but not entirely certain nor swift. Participants also reported they were treated fairly in court and received reasonable punishments compared to others, but a considerable proportion reported low levels of respect for the law and questioned the government's legitimacy to control drink driving. Multivariate analysis revealed that factors from all three models were identified as predictors of reoffending (e.g., severity, government legitimacy and respect for the law), as well as for the frequency of drink driving in the past (e.g., certainty and severity of punishment, personal shame and respect for the law). The findings indicate that aspects of all three models are applicable to the examination of habitual reoffending, but a number of factors appear associated with a drink driving offence
Longitudinal modelling of the influence of individual differences and the workplace on well-being and work engagement
No full textInterest and research in personality and individual differences, in why people behave the way they do and the implications for life and living, remain unabated around the world. Human beings are fascinating in how they are similar to one another and how they are different. The similarities and differences underpin many implicit and espoused theories of behaviour and of personal and professional practice, informing the decisions that we all make on what we will do and when. This book, with contributions from leading researchers, writers and practitioners from Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and further afield, is a snapshot of where we are currently. It demonstrates emphases on theoretical models and on clinical, forensic, organisational, crosscultural and cross-ideological research. The studies presented in this book range from examining the effects of the stars - the seasons and dates of birth - to the professional drivers of research that are related to efforts to make a difference for the wellbeing and survival of our world, whether as individuals or in groups at leisure and at work. [Book Synopsis
- …
