Digital Commons Network^™

The Human Affectome, Daniela Schiller, Alessandra N. C Yu, Nelly Alia-Klein, Susanne Becker, Howard C. Cromwell, Florin Dolcos, Paul J. Eslinger, Paul Frewen, Andrew H. Kemp, Edward F. Pace-Schott, Jacob Raber, Rebecca L. Silton, Elka Stefanova, Justin H. G. Williams, Nobuhito Abe, Moji Aghajani, Franziska Albrecht, Rebecca Alexander, Silke Anders, Oriana R. Aragón, Juan A. Arias, Shahar Arzy, Tatjana Aue, Sandra Baez, Michela Balconi, Tommaso Ballarini, Scott Bannister, Marlissa C. Banta, Karen C. Barrett, Catherine Belzung, Moustafa Bensafi, Linda Booij, Jamila Bookwala, Julie Boulanger-Bertolus, Sydney W. Boutros, Anne-Kathrin Bräscher, Antonio Bruno, Geraldo Busatto, Lauren M. Bylsma, Catherine Caldwell-Harris, Raymond C. K. Chan, Nicolas Cherbuin, Julian Chiarella, Pietro Cipresso, Hugo Critchley, Denise E. Croote, Heath A. Demaree, Thomas F. Denson, Brendan Depue, Birgit Derntl, Joanne M. Dickson, Sanda Dolcos, Anat Drach-Zahavy, Olga Dubljević, Tuomas Eerola, Dan-Mikael Ellingsen, Beth Fairfield, Camille Ferdenzi, Bruce H. Friedman, Cynthia H. Y. Fu, Justine M. Gatt, Beatrice De Gelder, Guido H. E. Gendolla, Gadi Gilam, Hadass Goldblatt, Anne E. K. Gooding, Olivia Gosseries, Alfons O. Hamm, Jamie L. Hanson, Talma Hendler, Cornelia Herbert, Stefan G. Hofmann, Agustin Ibanez, Mateus Joffily, Tanja Jovanovic, Ian J. Kahrilas, Maria Kangas, Yuta Katsumi, Elizabeth Kensinger, Lauren A. J. Kirby, Rebecca Koncz, Ernst H. W. Koster, Kasia Kozlowska, Sören Krach, Mariska E. Kret, Martin Krippl, Kwabena Kusi-Mensah, Cecile D. Ladouceur, Steven Laureys, Alistair Lawrence, Chiang-Shan R. Li, Belinda J. Liddell, Navdeep K. Lidhar, Christopher A. Lowry, Kelsey Magee, Marie-France Marin, Veronica Mariotti, Loren J. Martin, Hilary A. Marusak, Annalina V. Mayer, Amanda R. Merner, Jessica Minnier, Jorge Moll, Robert G. Morrison, Matthew Moore, Anne-Marie Mouly, Sven C. Mueller, Andreas Mühlberger, Nora A. Murphy, Maria R. A. Muscatello, Erica D. Musser, Tamara L. Newton, Michael Noll-Hussong, Seth D. Norrholm, Georg Northoff, Robin Nusslock, Hadas Okon-Singer, Thomas M. Olino, Catherine Ortner, Mayowa Owolabi, Caterina Padulo, Romina Palermo, Rocco Palumbo, Sara Palumbo, Christos Papadelis, Alan J. Pegna, Silvia Pellegrini, Kirsi Peltonen, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Pietro Pietrini, Graziano Pinna, Rosario P. Lobo, Kelly L. Polnaszek, Maryna Polyakova, Christine Rabinak, S. Helene Richter, Thalia Richter, Giuseppe Riva, Amelia Rizzo, Jennifer L. Robinson, Pedro Rosa, Perminder S. Sachdev, Wataru Sato, Matthias L. Schroeter, Susanne Schweizer, Youssef Shiban, Advaith Siddharthan, Ewa Siedlecka, Robert C. Smith, Hermona Soreq, Derek P. Spangler, Emily R. Stern, Charis Styliadis, Gavin B. Sullivan, James E. Swain, Sébastien Urben, Jan Van Den Stock, Michael A. Vander Kooij, Mark Van Overveld, Tamsyn E. Van Rheenen, Michael B. Vanelzakker, Carlos Ventura-Bort, Edelyn Verona, Tyler Volk, Yi Wang, Leah T. Weingast, Mathias Weymar, Claire Williams, Megan L. Willis, Paula Yamashita, Roland Zahn, Barbra Zupan, Leroy Lowe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Over the last decades, theoretical perspectives in the interdisciplinary field of the affective sciences have proliferated rather than converged due to differing assumptions about what human affective phenomena are and how they work. These metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions, shaped by academic context and values, have dictated affective constructs and operationalizations. However, an assumption about the purpose of affective phenomena can guide us to a common set of metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions. In this capstone paper, we home in on a nested teleological principle for human affective phenomena in order to synthesize metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions. Under this framework, human affective …

Unravelling The Wellbeing Needs Of Australian Teachers: A Qualitative Inquiry, Narelle Lemon, Kristina Turner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The declining wellbeing of Australian teachers is a longstanding problem, with much attention on retention, stress, burnout, and poor resourcing and conditions that impact wellbeing. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further illuminated these challenges. This qualitative study aimed to explore Australian teachers’ perceptions of their wellbeing needs with a focus on asking the questions that are often not asked—what is working, what are we learning, and how can we move forward to support teacher wellbeing? The voices of teachers revealed findings that support a much-needed shift in teacher wellbeing rhetoric in Australia. We illuminate five key areas that influence teacher …

What Is The Prevalence Of General Anxiety Disorder And Depression Symptoms In Semi-Elite Australian Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study, Anthony Henderson, Sarah A. Harris, Troy Kirkham, Jonathon Charlesworth, Myles C. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in semi-elite Australian footballers is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and depressive symptoms in semi-elite Australian Football players. Our secondary objective was to explore the association between demographic and football-specific factors with GAD and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional epidemiological study including 369 semi-elite Western Australian Football League (WAFL) players from the Men and Women’s 2022 season (n = 337 men, 91%) was conducted. Symptoms of depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) and symptoms of GAD with …

Six Modes Of Giving Pedagogy For Engagement And Wellbeing – For Teachers And Students, Thomas W. Nielsen, Jennifer S. Ma

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The present study took place across two outdoor education trips to the Great Barrier Reef with two groups of college students (N = 36; 16-19 years), five staff, and one of the authors (TWN). The aim was to explore how an explicit understanding and implementation of the wellbeing research around cultivating generous behaviour for meaningful happiness could be ‘experienced’ by staff and students and articulated as an educational framework, or ‘pedagogy’. Hermeneutic phenomenology was used to record and interpret pedagogical transactions of giving. Six repeated themes were identified: (1) exploration, (2) modelling, (3) explicit instruction, (4) incidental learning, (5) crisis …

Conceptualising Wellbeing For Australian Aboriginal Lgbtqa+ Young People, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, Ashleigh Lin, James H. L. Hill, Kate Daglas, Braden Hill, Yael Perry, Mirella Wilson, Bep Uink

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

It is likely that young people who are both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQA+ would be at increased risk for poor mental health outcomes due to the layered impacts of discrimination they experience; however, there is very little empirical evidence focused on the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people. The current study represents a qualitative exploration of wellbeing among Aboriginal LGBTQA+ young people. This study consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with Aboriginal LGBTQA+ young people aged 14–25 years old in the Perth metropolitan area of Western Australia. Thematic analysis …

International Café: A Collaborative Approach To International Student Wellbeing And Support, Yohann Devezy, Braden Hill, Liz Beresford, Rose Williams, Shirley Farr, Em Readman, Clair Mermejo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Prior to 2020, ongoing discourse in the higher education sector underscored the increasingly complex mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by students. The “post-COVID-19” period witnessed a resurgence of international students arriving in Western Australia. Emerging cost of living pressures, accommodation shortages, and changing visa work hours have amplified the distinct challenges international students encounter, prompting renewed discussions surrounding a need for effective support interventions. Drawing inspiration from successful initiatives at Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University introduced the Murdoch International Café—a program focused on providing distinct spaces of support for international students. This supportive environment enables social connection, effective information …

Pedagogy Of Belonging: Pausing To Be Human In Higher Education, Narelle Lemon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Valuing care and self-care in higher education requires a conscious pause and rethinking of how we are together as educators and students. The pandemic caused various complexities, including changes in curriculum delivery, deadlines, and assessment modes, leading to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and change fatigue, which contributed to the emergence of panicgogy. This paper argues for the need to disrupt this way of being and experiencing the pandemic through valuing humanity and repositioning self-care and care by and for academics to inform their pedagogy. Presented is the narrative and the design story behind Pedagogy of Belonging (PoB), a systems informed …

Examining The Associations Between Experiences Of Perceived Racism And Drug And Alcohol Use In Aboriginal Australians, Victoria Gentile, Adrian Carter, Laura Jobson

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Objective
This study aimed to explore the relationships between experiences of perceived racism, mental health and drug and alcohol use among Aboriginal Australians.

Method
Sixty-two Aboriginal Australians, ranging in age from 19-64 years (M_age = 33.71, SD = 12.47) and residing in Victoria completed an online questionnaire containing measures of perceived racism, alcohol use, substance use and mental health.

Results
First, 66% of the sample reported experiencing interpersonal racism, with the highest proportion of reported experiences occurring in health settings, educational/academic settings and by staff of government agencies. Second, perceived racism was significantly associated with poorer mental health …

A Quantitative Exploration Of The Relationships Between Regular Yoga Practice, Microdosing Psychedelics, Wellbeing And Personality Variables, Stephen Bright, Eyal Gringart, Emily Blatchford, Samantha Bettinson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective:

The current study aimed to explore whether the subjective effects of microdosing psychedelics are comparable to those of yoga in relation to psychological wellbeing, depression, anxiety and stress. It also explored the relationship between yoga, microdosing and personality.

Method:

The sample comprised 339 participants, yoga (n = 131), microdose (n = 69), microdose and yoga (n = 54) and control (n = 85). All completed measures of personality (M5-50 and Tellegen Absorption Scale), mood (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21) and wellbeing (Ryff Scales of Psychological Wellbeing).

Results:

The yoga and microdosing groups scored significantly higher on psychological wellbeing and …

Self-Regulatory Goal Motivational Processes In Sustained New Year Resolution Pursuit And Mental Wellbeing, Joanne M. Dickson, Nicholas J. Moberly, David Preece, Alyson Dodd, Christopher D. Huntley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Recent research suggests people typically “give up” pursuing their New Year resolutions within the first month. The present study investigated goal features proposed to be implicated in promoting both mental wellbeing and sustained New Year resolution pursuit. Australian and UK participants (n = 182) took part in an online longitudinal study, including four timepoints over a two-month period. At baseline, participants listed the New Year resolution to which they were most committed, and completed self-report measures to assess mental wellbeing, goal flexibility and te-nacity. At the follow-up surveys, participants completed the wellbeing measure and their New Year resolution commitment, effort …

Poverty And Social Security Experiences In Australia: Experiences Of Wellbeing For Recipients Of The 2020 Jobseeker Payment, Kira Huntley

Theses : Honours

The relationship between poverty caused by social security payments below the poverty line and poor wellbeing among recipients has long been established in academic research. In April 2020, recipients of Australia’s main unemployment benefit, Newstart, were temporarily lifted out of poverty due to their transition onto JobSeeker, a payment implemented to support Australian workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. This study sought to understand the experiences of wellbeing that receiving this increased payment and being embedded within a change policy framework engendered for participants who transitioned from Newstart to JobSeeker. …

Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective Against Stress And Isolation Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Emotional Health And Wellbeing Needs Of Perinatal Women, Jacqueline A. Davis, Lisa Y. Gibson, Natasha L. Bear, Amy L. Finlay-Jones, Jeneva L. Ohan, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and well-being and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also …

Preparing Student Paramedics For The Mental Health Challenges Of The Profession By Using The Wisdom Of The Experienced, Lisa Holmes, Natalie Ciccone, Lynne Cohen, Richard Brightwell

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Given the significant mental health issues affecting our paramedics, there exists an urgent need to promote positive mental health and well-being among future cohorts of student paramedics. This study investigated the preparedness of student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the profession and explored the coping strategies used by experienced paramedics. The study was conducted in two parts. Part A comprised of two surveys which were developed and administered to 16 course coordinators and 302 students of the 16 accredited undergraduate paramedicine courses across Australia and New Zealand. The survey aimed to identify the perceived need for preparation within …

Psychometric Properties Of The Perma Profiler For Measuring Wellbeing In Australian Adults, Jillian Ryan, Rachel Curtis, Tim Olds, Sarah Edney, Corneel Vandelanotte, Ronald Plotnikoff, Carol Maher

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler, a 15-item self-report measurement tool designed to measure Seligman’s five pillars of wellbeing: Positive emotions, Relationships, Engagement, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Methods Australian adults (N = 439) completed the PERMA Profiler and measures of physical and mental health (SF-12), depression, anxiety, stress (DASS 21), subjective physical activity (Active Australia Survey), and objective activity and sleep (GENEActiv accelerometer). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and associations between theoretically related constructs examined using Pearson’s correlation. Model fit in comparison with theorised models was examined via Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results Results indicated …

Exploring Wellbeing In Older Male Farmers In Western Australia, Jessica L. Mckee

Theses : Honours

In the context of an ageing population it has become increasingly important to identify the determinants of wellbeing in older adulthood. A review of the literature relevant to wellbeing and strengths relevant to older male farmers in Australia was conducted. This body of knowledge was identified to be sparse. Existing literature on farming primarily had a deficits focus, and only a small number of qualitative studies were specific to older male farmers. Four broad, overlapping areas representing the meaning of wellbeing were identified as potentially important: farming work; connectedness; the land; health and wellbeing. The inter-connected nature of farming life …