Digital Commons Network^™

General Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Their Communication With Australian Aboriginal Patients With Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Deborah Hersh, Elizabeth Armstrong, Meaghan Mcallister, Natalie Ciccone, Judith Katzenellenbogen, Juli Coffin, Sandra Thompson, Colleen Hayward, Leon Flicker, Deborah Woods

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective:

Aboriginal people have high rates of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), often with residual, chronic communication deficits and multiple co-morbidities. This study examined general practitioners’ (GPs’) perceptions of their communication with Aboriginal patients with acquired communication disorders (ACD) after brain injury. Effective communication underpins good care but no previous research has explored this specific context.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive approach was employed using interviews and focus groups with 23 GPs from metropolitan Perth and five regional sites in Western Australia. Data were analysed thematically. Results: GPs reported low visibility of Aboriginal patients with ACD in their practices, minimal …

Perceived Justice, Community Support, Community Identity And Residents’ Quality Of Life: Testing An Integrative Model, Lujun Su, Songshan (Sam) Huang, Mehran Nejati

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study tested an integrative model to investigate the effect of perceived justice, in its three dimensions (procedural, distributive, and interactional), on destination residents’ quality of life (QOL) with perceived community support and community identification as mediators. Analysis on a sample of 453 Gulangyu Island residents in China shows that procedural and interactional justice positively influenced perceived community support, whilst procedural and distributive justice positively affected community identification; both perceived community support and community identification contributed to resident QOL. This study offers a new perspective on how to improve resident QOL in tourist destinations. Theoretical and marketing implications are discussed.

Using Smartwatches For Fitness And Health Monitoring: The Utaut2 Combined With Threat Appraisal As Moderators, Phaik Khee Beh, Yuvaraj Ganesan, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Behzad Foroughi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Recent advancements in smartwatch technology have led to several applications in continuous fitness and health monitoring. Considering the benefits of smartwatches, their low level of usage for fitness and health monitoring purposes, and the limited understanding of determinants of their usage, this study advances the body of knowledge by developing an innovative and comprehensive research model that integrates the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with perceived vulnerability and perceived severity as moderators. The model was tested using partial least squares (PLS), in a quantitative study with data from 271 respondents from Malaysia. The results showed …

Enabling The Transfer Of Skills And Knowledge Across Classroom And Work Contexts, Denise Jackson, Jenny Fleming, Anna Rowe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Increasingly, contemporary work means graduates will operate in multiple workplace settings during their careers, catalysing the need for successful transfer of capabilities across diverse contexts. The transfer of skills and knowledge, however, is a complex area of learning theory which is often assumed and lacks empirical analysis. Facilitating transfer is critical for preparing students for effective transition to the workplace. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) provides an opportunity for tertiary education students to ‘practice’ transfer across classroom and work settings. Building on existing scholarship and using a mixed-methods design, this study aimed to explore the nature of transfer across these contexts …

Career Values And Proactive Career Behaviour Among Contemporary Higher Education Students, Denise Jackson, Michael Tomlinson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The paper draws on evidence from a survey of Australian and UK students (N = 433) on students’ career values and their relationship to their proactivity in career self-management. Much of the dominant approaches to careers have focused on career competencies and adaptability in the context of increased movement from traditional to more self-managed career trajectories. Limited attention has been given to the role of career values in shaping individuals’ approaches to career management, particularly among higher education students. This study reveals data on a range of career values among students on a continuum between intrinsic and extrinsic careers. It …

Rumination Selectively Mediates The Association Between Actual-Ideal (But Not Actual-Ought) Self-Discrepancy And Anxious And Depressive Symptoms, Joanne M. Dickson, Nicholas J. Moberly, Christopher D. Huntley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Actual-ideal and actual-ought self-discrepancies have been theorised to be independently associated with depressive and anxious symptoms respectively. This study tested this prediction and extended it to consider whether rumination mediates these relationships. One hundred and thirty-eight students (48 males, 90 females) listed four adjectives describing how they would ideally hope to be and four adjectives describing how they ought to be. Participants then rated how distant they perceived themselves to be from each of their ideal and ought selves, as well as the importance of each ideal and ought self. Finally, participants self-reported levels of negative rumination, anxious and depressive …

Development And Validation Of The Needs Of Children Questionnaire: An Instrument To Measure Children's Self-Reported Needs In Hospital, Mandie Foster, Lisa Whitehead, Diana Arabiat

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

AIM: To develop and psychometrically test the needs of children questionnaire (NCQ), a new instrument to measure school-aged children's self-reported psychosocial physical and emotional needs in paediatric wards.

DESIGN: This is an instrument development study based on recommendations for developing a reliable and valid questionnaire.

METHOD: The NCQ was developed over three phases between February 2013-April 2017 and included item generation; content adequacy assessment; questionnaire administration; factor analysis; internal consistency assessment and construct validity. Psychometric properties were assessed after 193 school-aged children completed the needs of children's questionnaire in four paediatric areas in Australia and New Zealand.

RESULTS: The development …

The Validity And Utility Of Violence Risk Assessment Tools To Predict Patient Violence In Acute Care Settings: An Integrative Literature Review, Manonita Ghosh, Di Twigg, Yvonne Kutzer, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Gideon De Jong, Mary Dodds

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

To examine risk assessment tools to predict patient violence in acute care settings. An integrative review of the literature. Five electronic databases – CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, OVID, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched between 2000 and 2018. The reference list of articles was also inspected manually. The PICOS framework was used to refine the inclusion and exclusion of the literature, and the PRISMA statement guided the search strategy to systematically present findings. Forty-one studies were retained for review. Three studies developed or tested tools to measure patient violence in general acute care settings, and two described the primary and …

Youth Matters: Shedding Light On Displacement In Syrian Girls' Memoirs, Alberta Natasia Adji

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In the face of war and political crisis, fleeing a country seems to be the best choice to get on with life. Among many refugee memoirs, so far young adult refugee texts have received little attention. This article analyses two young Syrian girls’ memoirs by Nujeen Mustafa and Yusra Mardini to investigate their experience of displacement. I argue that both Nujeen and Butterfly are prime specimens of young displacement memoir phenomena which act as a venue for identity negotiation. This point has much to do with their navigating the tensions between personal and collective selves to disclose their trauma and …

Safety Attitudes In Hospital Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review, Naif Alzahrani, Russell Jones, Amir Rizwan, Mohamed E. Abdel-Latif

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to perform and report a systematic review of published research on patient safety attitudes of health staff employed in hospital emergency departments (EDs).

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: An electronic search was conducted of PsychINFO, ProQuest, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and CINAHL databases. The review included all studies that focussed on the safety attitudes of professional hospital staff employed in EDs.

FINDINGS: Overall, the review revealed that the safety attitudes of ED health staff are generally low, especially on teamwork and management support and among nurses when compared to doctors. Conversely, two intervention studies showed the effectiveness of …

Millennial Midwifery: Online Connectivity In Midwifery Education, Sadie Geraghty, Angela Bromley, Angela Bull, Mpho Dube, Cindy Turner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore graduate midwives’ experiences of completing a Bachelor of Midwifery online theory course and how that experience led to preparation for practice and future employment as a midwife. Methods: This study used a questionnaire, with the core research design having a quantitative component using open-ended questions, via the use of an electronic platform. Results: The main themes emerging from the data that the graduates considered important issues were flexibility, isolation and lack of support. Conclusion: Course completion, experience of online learning/preparation for practice, and recommendations for improvement were identified as areas of …

Evidencing Student Success And Career Outcomes Among Business And Creative Industries Graduates, Denise Jackson, Ruth Bridgstock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The teaching performance of higher education institutions is increasingly gauged by graduate employment outcomes. Measuring outcomes in full-time employment terms does not capture the complexities of underemployment, the rise of portfolio careers, the constraints of the labour market and graduate motivations for working arrangements that can allow greater flexibility and work-life balance. This study explores the career outcomes of Business and Creative Industries graduates using both traditional measures (full-time employment outcomes) and a suite of broader measures that examine career satisfaction, perceived employability, perceived career success, underemployment, and graduate motivations for seeking new roles. Findings confirm disciplinary differences in graduate …

A Mediterranean Diet With Fresh, Lean Pork Improves Processing Speed And Mood: Cognitive Findings From The Medpork Randomised Controlled Trial, Alexandra T. Wade, Courtney R. Davis, Kathryn A. Dyer, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Richard J. Woodman, Hannah A. D. Keage, Karen J. Murphy

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat. Methods: A 24-week parallel crossover design compared a Mediterranean diet with 2–3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat (LF) control diet. Thirty-five participants aged between 45 and 80 years and at risk of cardiovascular disease followed each intervention for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge …

Peer Support For The Maintenance Of Physical Activity And Health In Cancer Survivors: The Peer Trial - A Study Protocol Of A Randomised Controlled Trial, Kirsten N. Adlard, David G. Jenkins, Chloe E. Salisbury, Kate A. Bolam, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Joanne F. Aitken, Suzanne K. Chambers, Jeff C. Dunn, Kerry S. Courneya, Tina L. Skinner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Despite an overwhelming body of evidence showing the benefits of physical activity (PA) and exercise for cancer survivors, few survivors meet the exercise oncology guidelines. Moreover, initiating, let alone maintaining exercise programs with cancer survivors continues to have limited success. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the influence of peer support on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and various markers of health 12 months following a brief supervised exercise intervention in cancer survivors.

METHODS: Men and women previously diagnosed with histologically-confirmed breast, colorectal or prostate cancer (n = 226), who are >1-month post-treatment, will be invited to participate in …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Problematic And Non-Problematic Alcohol Use After Bariatric Surgery, Danielle L. Reaves, Joanne M. Dickson, Jason C. G. Halford, Paul Christiansen, Charlotte A. Hardman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVES: Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss tool, but an under-communicated side effect may include the increased risk for alcohol problems. Few studies have examined contributors towards alcohol problems following surgery using a qualitative approach. Therefore, the current study aimed to generate insight informed by participants with problematic alcohol use following bariatric surgery, in comparison with participants without.

METHODS: Participants (14; females, n = 9; males, n = 5) completed semi-structured interviews using questions relating to alcohol use, relationship to food, support and surgical experiences. Thematic analysis was conducted to provide insight into the factors which influenced drinking behaviours …

Measuring Masculinity In Men With Chronic Disease, Stefano Occhipinti, Kirstyn Laurie, Melissa K. Hyde, Sean Martin, John Oliffe, Gary Wittert, Suzanne K. Chambers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Masculinity in Chronic Disease Inventory (MCD-I) is a new measure of internalized masculine beliefs previously validated in the context of prostate cancer. The present study assessed the validity of the MCD-I in men with other chronic diseases to explore its potential for wider application. A cross-sectional survey of 633 men aged 47–93 years old (M = 68 years), of whom 68% reported ≥2 chronic conditions, was conducted. Measures included the MCD-I and Erectile Function. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed followed by tests for discriminant validity. A five-factor structure was confirmed that explained 60% of the …

Low Vitamin D Status Is Associated With Impaired Bone Quality And Increased Risk Of Fracture-Related Hospitalization In Older Australian Women, Kun Zhu, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim, Richard L. Prince

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The vitamin D debate relates in part to ideal public health population levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) to maintain bone structure and reduce fracture. In a secondary analysis of 1,348 women aged 70-85 years at baseline (1998) from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging in Women (PLSAW, a five-year calcium supplementation trial followed by two five-year extensions), we examined the dose-response relations of baseline plasma 25OHD with hip DXA BMD at year 1, lumbar spine BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS) at year 5, and fracture-related hospitalizations over 14.5 years obtained by health record linkage. Mean baseline plasma 25OHD …

Variables Associated With Successful Vascular Access Cannulation In Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study, Linda L. Coventry, Jon M. Hosking, Doris T. Chan, Evelyn Coral, Wai H. Lim, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Diane E. Twigg, Claire M. Rickard

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Successful vascular access (VA) cannulation is integral to the delivery of adequate dialysis, highlighting the importance of ensuring the viability of arteriovenous access in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Missed VA cannulation can lead to infection, infiltration, hematoma or aneurysm formation resulting in the need for access revision, central venous catheter (CVC) placement, or permanent loss of VA. Cannulation-related complications can also negatively impact on a patient's dialysis experience and quality of life. This study aimed to identify patient, VA and nurse factors associated with unsuccessful VA cannulations.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in HD patients with a permanent …

The Current State Of Weight-Cutting In Combat Sports, Oliver R. Barley, Dale W. Chapman, Chris R. Abbiss

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In combat sports, athletes are divided into categories based on gender and body mass. Athletes attempt to compete against a lighter opponent by losing body mass prior to being weighed (i.e., 'weight-cutting'). The purpose of this narrative review was to explore the current body of literature on weight-cutting and outline gaps for further research. Methods of weight-loss include energy intake restriction, total body fluid reduction and pseudo extreme/abusive medical practice (e.g., diuretics). The influence of weight-cutting on performance is unclear, with studies suggesting a negative or no effect. However, larger weight-cuts (~5% of body mass inh) do impair repeat-effort performance. …

Predominant Complications Of Type 2 Diabetes In Kumasi: A 4-Year Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study At A Teaching Hospital In Ghana, Max Efui Annani-Akollor, Otchere Addai-Mensah, Linda Ahenkorah Fondjo, Lorraine Sallah, Eddie-Williams Owiredu, Emmanuel Acheampong, Solomon Akamugri

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) has been associated with several microvascular and macrovascular complications. However, studies regarding the predominant complications of T2DM in Ghana have not been conducted. This study evaluated the prevalence and predominant complications of T2DM and assessed the sociodemographic factors associated with the development of diabetes-related complications in Kumasi, Ghana. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 1600 Ghanaian T2DM adults were included in this study. Patients’ clinical data from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from the hospital’s archive. Results: …

A 2-Year Prospective Study Of Injury Epidemiology In Elite Australian Rugby Sevens: Exploration Of Incidence Rates, Severity, Injury Type, And Subsequent Injury In Men And Women, Liam A. Toohey, Michael K. Drew, Caroline F. Finch, Jill L. Cook, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Injuries are common in rugby sevens, but studies to date have been limited to short, noncontinuous periods and reporting of match injuries only.

Purpose:

To report the injury incidence rate (IIR), severity, and burden of injuries sustained by men and women in the Australian rugby sevens program and to provide the first longitudinal investigation of subsequent injury occurrence in rugby sevens looking beyond tournament injuries only.

Study design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Ninety international rugby sevens players (55 men and 35 women) were prospectively followed over 2 consecutive seasons (2015-2016 and 2016-2017). All medical attention injuries were reported irrespective …

Effectiveness Of An Adult Food Literacy Program, Andrea Begley, Ellen Paynter, Lucy M. Butcher, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nutrition education programs aim to improve food literacy domains covering the planning and management, selection, preparation and cooking and eating of healthy food. Reviews indicate programs are effective but acknowledge challenges with evaluation of community focused delivery. Food Sensations^® for Adults (FSA) is a free four-week nutrition and cooking program targeted at low-to-middle income Western Australians who would like to improve their food literacy. The aim of this research was assess how effective FSA is in changing food literacy and selected dietary behaviours. Statistical analysis identified a significant increase in postprogram scores for domains of planning and management, selection …

Abdominal Aortic Calcification, Bone Mineral Density And Fractures: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Protocol, Alexander J. Rodríguez, Kevin Leow, Pawel Szulc, David Scott, Peter Ebeling, Marc Sim, Germaine Wong, Wai H. Lim, John T. Schousboe, Douglas P. Kiel, Richard L. Prince, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is associated with low bone mass and increased fracture risk. Two previous meta-analyses have investigated the association between AAC and fracture. However, these meta-analyses only identified articles until December 2016, undertook limited searches and did not explore potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. We aim to undertake a sensitive and comprehensive assessment of the relationship between AAC, bone mineral density (BMD) as well as prevalent and incident fractures.

METHODS: We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science core collection and Google Scholar (top 200 articles sorted by relevance) from their inception to 1 June 2018. Reference …

Prospective Study Of Glycated Hemoglobin And Trajectories Of Depressive Symptoms: The China Health And Retirement Longitudinal Study, Haibin Li, Anxin Wang, Wei Feng, Deqiang Zheng, Qi Gao, Lixin Tao, Jin Guo, Xiaonan Wang, Xia Li, Wei Wang, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The longitudinal association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) and different courses of depressive symptoms is understudied. This study aimed to identify different trajectories of depressive symptoms and investigate the relation of HbA_1c with the risk of increasing and high-stable depressive symptoms. In the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale in three visits (years: 2011, 2013 and 2015) among 9804 participants (mean age 60.0 ± 9.0 years). Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms. HbA_1c was measured at baseline and categorized five …

Canadian Children From Food Insecure Households Experience Low Self-Esteem And Self-Efficacy For Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Stephanie L. Godrich, Olivia K. Loewen, Rosanne Blanchet, Noreen Willows, Paul Veugelers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to: (i) determine whether there are differences in self-esteem and self-efficacy for healthy lifestyle choices between children living in food secure and food insecure households; and (ii) determine whether the association between household food insecurity (HFI), self-esteem and self-efficacy differs by gender. Survey responses of 5281 fifth-grade students (10 and 11 years of age) participating in the Canadian Children's Lifestyle and School Performance Study II were analyzed using logistic and linear regression. HFI status was determined by the six-item short-form Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). Students from food insecure households had significantly …

Cystatin C And Risk Of New-Onset Depressive Symptoms Among Individuals With A Normal Creatinine-Based Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate: A Prospective Cohort Study, Li Haibin, Wang Anxin, Qi Gao, Guo Jin, Li Xia, Wei Wang, Xiang Yutao, Guo Xiuhua

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The association between cystatin C and depressive symptoms in the general population has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. We investigated the association of cystatin C with new-onset depressive symptoms among individuals with normal creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). In the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 5111 participants without depressive symptoms or renal dysfunction (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m

Features Of The Metabolic Syndrome In Late Adolescence Are Associated With Impaired Testicular Function At 20 Years Of Age, R. J. Hart, D. A. Doherty, T. A. Mori, L. A. Adams, R-C. Huang, N. Minaee, D. J. Handelsman, R. Mclachlan, R. J. Norman, J. E. Dickinson, J. K. Olynyk, L. J. Beilin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

STUDY QUESTION: Are early signs of metabolic disorder in late adolescence associated with features of impaired testicular function many years before the majority seek parenthood?

SUMMARY ANSWER: Adolescents with features of metabolic disorder at 17 years, or insulin resistance (IR) at 20 years of age, show impaired testicular function and altered hormone levels compared to those without metabolic disorder.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Controversial evidence suggests a recent decline in sperm production potentially linked to environmental influences, but its cause remains unclear. Concomitant increases in obesity and diabetes suggest that lifestyle factors may contribute to this decline in testicular function. …

Examining The Association Between Food Literacy And Food Insecurity, Andrea Begley, Ellen Paynter, Lucy M. Butcher, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Poor food literacy behaviours may contribute to food insecurity in developed countries. The aim of this research was to describe the apparent prevalence of food insecurity in adults at enrolment in a food literacy program and to examine the relationship between food insecurity and a range of independent variables. Individuals attending the Food Sensations^® for Adults program in Western Australia from May 2016 to April 2018 completed a pre-program questionnaire (n = 1433) indicating if they had run out of money for food in the past month (food insecurity indicator), frequency of food literacy behaviours, selected dietary behaviours, and …

Detection Of Hfe Haemochromatosis In The Clinic And Community Using Standard Erythrocyte Tests, Niwansa Adris, Simon Hazeldine, Peter Bentley, Debbie Trinder, Anita C.G. Chua, Lawrie W. Powell, Louise E. Ramm, Grant A. Ramm, John K. Olynyk

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Detection of HFE Haemochromatosis (HH) is challenging in the absence of clinical features. HH subjects have elevated erythrocyte parameters compared to those without HH, but it remains unclear how this could be applied in clinical practice. Thus, we determined the sensitivity, specificity and clinical utility of erythrocyte parameters in 144 HH subjects with (n = 122) or without (n = 22) clinical and/or biochemical expression of iron overload, 1844 general population controls, and 700 chronic disease subjects. For both expressing and non-expressing HH subjects, the mean pre- and post-phlebotomy values of mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) …

Quality Of Life And Psychological Distress In Cancer Survivors: The Role Of Psycho-Social Resources For Resilience, Craig A. Harms, Lynne Cohen, Julie Ann Pooley, Suzanne K. Chambers, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between scores on the Protective Factors for Resilience Scale (PFRS) (as a measure of a person's psycho-social resources for resilience) and quality of life as well as symptoms of psychological distress for adult cancer survivors.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 295 cancer survivors (59% female) provided background demographic information and completed the PFRS as well as measures of quality of life and psychological distress previously validated with cancer survivors. Most of the survivors were diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer.

RESULTS: Analysis of the data confirmed the factor structure for the PFRS …