Digital Commons Network^™

Association Of National Covid-19 Cases With Objectively And Subjectively Measured Mental Health Proxies In The Austrian Football League–An Epidemiological Study, Antje Van Der Zee-Neuen, Alexander Seymer, Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden, Jürgen Herfert, James Óbrien, Tim Johansson, Patrick Kutschar, Stephan Ludwig, Thomas Stöggl, David Keeley, Maria Flamm, Jürgen Osterbrink

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We aimed to explore the association of national COVID-19 data with the objective and subjective mental health proxies (i.e. location variance, self-reported sleep quality, level of recovery, perceived risk of infection) in team and staff members of five professional Austrian Football clubs. Data were conveniently collected during the implementation of a novel monitoring concept. The concept was designed to enable safe continuation of professional Football during the COVID-19 pandemic. These data were matched with Austrian COVID-19 data and smartphone collected location data. Multivariable linear regression models explored the association of COVID-19, defined as daily novel or active Austrian cases of …

Multimodal Learning For Dyslexic Musicians: Practical Applications For Adults, Melissa Mikucki

Theses : Honours

Dyslexia affects 15 to 20% of the population according to the International Dyslexia Association. Multimodal media, such as smartphones and tablets, which are capable of presenting varied modes of information (for example, visual, aural, and kinetic), have been shown to aid learning in dyslexic children. Music has been identified as a useful multisensory tool to help educators improve literacy skills in children. However, little research has been done on the impact of dyslexia on a child or adult’s ability to learn and perform music. Few studies have been undertaken that focus solely on dyslexia’s effect on musical ability in children; …

The Influence Of Camera Perspective And Viewer Attitudes Towards Police On Perceptions Of Police-Civilian Encounters, Anna-Louise Skidmore

Theses : Honours

Research suggests there may be a Camera Perspective Bias (CPB) effect across different camera footage types which influences viewer perceptions of police use of force encounters. Police body-worn camera (BWC) footage presents a first-person perspective from the officer’s point of view which predominantly captures the civilian. It is suggested that viewing an encounter from this perspective elicits a positive bias towards the officer when compared to CCTV footage. Additionally, research also shows that attitudes towards police influence perceptions of a filmed police-civilian encounters. This research aimed to investigate the effect of different camera evidence types (i.e., CCTV, BWC without audio …

Making Space For Themselves: Lesbian Separatism In Western Australia, Amber-Lia Van Aurich

Theses : Honours

This study documented and reconstructed the stories of lesbians who experienced separatism during the 1970s and 1980s in Western Australia. This era of history has received little attention, particularly the Western Australian context, therefore sharing these marginalised women’s stories addresses the knowledge gap and provides a sense of place and identity in the past. I aimed to explore Western Australian examples of lesbian separatism in addition to aspects of identity, connection, community, and culture. The research involved a narrative study of stories by six informants who self-identify as lesbian, collected in multiple one-hour interviews in situ and reconstructed into a …

Feasibility And Efficacy Of A Multicomponent Exercise Medicine Programme In Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy (The Expan Trial): Study Protocol Of A Dual-Centre, Two-Armed Phase I Randomised Controlled Trial, Hao Luo, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert U. Newton, Colin Tang, Andrew Dean, Kevin Jasas, Mikael Johansson, Ian Yusoff, Nigel Spry, Dennis R. Taaffe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Exercise is emerging as a therapy in oncology for its physical and psychosocial benefits and potential effects on chemotherapy tolerability and efficacy. However, evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) supporting exercise in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer (PanCa) undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) are lacking. Methods and analysis The EXPAN trial is a dual-centre, two-armed, phase I RCT. Forty patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PanCa undergoing NAT will be randomised equally to an exercise intervention group (individualised exercise+standard NAT) or a usual care control group (standard NAT). The exercise intervention will be supervised and …

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. …

Supervisors’ Experience Of Emotion Work In Higher Degree By Research Supervision, Natalia Hazell

Theses : Honours

This research explored academic supervisors’ experiences with emotion work specifically related to their role of supervision in higher degree by research (HDR) candidates and how supervisors managed the complexities inherent in the role of student supervision. This study utilised 45 to 90 minute semi-structured interviews with seven HDR supervisors and explored their lived experiences with emotion work, in the context of four Australian universities. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was adopted to elicit a deep and rich understanding of this phenomenon. A comprehensive literature review informed the theoretical discussions and analysis of the data revealed four superordinate themes: …

Representations Of Chronic Migraine And Therapy Through New Electronic Music Composition, Peter Mcavan

Theses : Honours

This thesis explores compositional techniques in electronic music that depict and explore chronic migraine and the therapies that manage the condition. Migraines are typically described as a destructive, violent force or a hopeless ailment, but research shows that this perception is damaging for new patients learning to manage migraine. Furthermore, evidence suggests that better understanding of how pain works can be instrumental in reducing pain (a process called Therapeutic Neuroscience Education). Drawing from this literature and my experience as an electronic musician suffering from chronic migraine, I utilise a practice-led research methodology to explore current scientific understandings of migraine and …

The Improvisational Art Of Shenzo Gregorio: Exploring His Transition From Classical Violinist To Cross-Genre Improviser, Judith A. Iddison

Theses : Honours

This dissertation examines the musical craft and artistry of innovative Australian violinist/violist Shenzo Gregorio (Shenton Gregory) and his transition from classical violinist to cross-genre improvisor. My research explores mental and practice strategies employed by Gregorio in making this transition, and how he has developed his authentic improvising style. This style draws on an eclectic range of musical genres and incorporates a variety of idiosyncratic extended techniques. Semi-structured interviews and demonstrations were conducted to gain insight into unique aspects of Gregorio’s improvisatory practice. In addition, transcription analyses of five of his recorded performances highlight his improvisational diversity and musical idiolect. Furthermore, …

‘Believe In Me, And I Will Too’: A Study Of How Teachers’ Expectations Instilled Confidence In Grade 10 Students, Olivia Johnston, Helen Wildy, Jennifer Shand

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Teacher expectation research has continued to establish an association between what teachers expect of their students and what students accomplish academically. These expectations affect students when they are communicated by teachers through differential treatment in the class, but no qualitative research has sought adolescent students’ points of view about how they experience teacher expectation effects. This paper presents new research findings that explain how Grade 10 students experienced their teachers’ expectations in ways that they reflected impacted their academic outcomes. Classic grounded theory methods were used to develop this new knowledge, which has implications for how teachers are educated for, …

Feasibility, Safety, And Acceptability Of A Remotely Monitored Exercise Pilot Champ: A Clinical Trial Of High-Intensity Aerobic And Resistance Exercise For Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Stacey A. Kenfield, Erin L. Van Blarigan, Neil Panchal, Alexander Bang, Li Zhang, Rebecca E. Graff, Yea-Hung Chen, Charles J. Ryan, Anthony Luke, Robert U. Newton, Imelda Tenggara, Brooke Schultz, Elizabeth Wang, Emil Lavaki, Kyle Zuniga, Nicole Pinto, Hala Borno, Rahul Aggarwal, Terence Friedlander, Vadim S. Koshkin, Andrea Harzstark, Eric Small, June M. Chan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Exercise may improve clinical and quality of life outcomes for men with prostate cancer. No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of remote exercise training in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods: We conducted a pilot RCT (1:1:1 aerobic or resistance exercise 3x/week or usual care) to determine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of remotely monitored exercise over 12 weeks in 25 men with mCRPC. A prescribed exercise program was based on baseline testing including high- and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or resistance exercise completed at a local exercise facility. Feasibility was based …

Risk Factors For Gut Dysbiosis In Early Life, Kimberley Parkin, Claus T. Christophersen, Valerie Verhasselt, Matthew N. Cooper, David Martino

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Dysbiosis refers to a reduction in microbial diversity, combined with a loss of beneficial taxa, and an increase in pathogenic microorganisms. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota can have a substantial effect on the nervous and immune systems, contributing to the onset of several inflammatory diseases. Epidemiological studies provided insight in how changes in the living environment have contributed to an overall loss of diversity and key taxa in the gut microbiome, coinciding with increased reports of atopy and allergic diseases. The gut microbiome begins development at birth, with major transition periods occurring around the commencement of breastfeeding, and the introduction …

Circulation Of Orhan Pamuk’S Benim Adim Kirmizi [My Name Is Red] In Contemporary Chinese-Indonesian Literature, Sebnem N. Karali, Alberta Natasia Adji

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This article is an exploration of contemporary Turkish and Chinese-Indonesian literatures with regards to a mid to late 18th Century literary niche: the it-narrative. Thinking (noesis) back and forth between centuries and different literary genres makes (poiesis) the conversation possible, which addresses the socio-literary imagination of the last four centuries. The authors re- examine the genre of it-narrative outside 18th Century studies and reassess the encounter of Turkish author Orhan Pamuk and Chinese-Indonesian author Alberta Natasia Adji within the socio-cultural and historico-political context of modern Turkey and Indonesia. The question is how Pamuk’s use of prosopopoeia in his 1998 novel …

Climate Change, Activism, And Supporting The Mental Health Of Children And Young People: Perspectives From Western Australia, Naomi J. Godden, Brad M. Farrant, Jaime Yallup Farrant, Emma Heyink, Eva Carot Collins, Bella Burgemeister, Mena Tabeshfar, Jason Barrow, Mara West, Jasmine Kieft, Mason Rothwell, Zoe Leviston, Susan Bailey, Mindy Blaise, Trudi Cooper

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking. First Nations' children and young people are particularly at risk due to loss of place, identity, culture, land and customs informed by kinship relationships with the Earth; while sustainable land use practices and connection to Country and community can enhance climate resilience. In Western Australia (WA), …

Life In A Time Of Covid: A Mixed Method Study Of The Changes In Lifestyle, Mental And Psychosocial Health During And After Lockdown In Western Australians, Ranila Bhoyroo, Paola Chivers, Lynne Millar, Caroline Bulsara, Ben Piggott, Michelle Lambert, Jim Codde

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Australian government imposed multiple restrictions that impacted daily life activities and the social life. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the community’s physical, mental and psychosocial health. Methods: Approximately 2 months after a three-month lockdown, a cross-sectional study was opened to Western Australian adults for an 8-week period (25th August – 21 October 2020). Participants competed a 25-min questionnaire adapted from the Western Australia Health and Wellbeing Surveillance system. Participants provided information on their socio-demographic status, lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and psychosocial …

Midwives’ Strategies For Coping With Barriers To Providing Quality Maternal And Neonatal Care: A Glaserian Grounded Theory Study, Yakubu Ismaila, Sara Bayes, Sadie Geraghty

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Midwives face direct and indirect barriers in their workplaces that have negative consequences on their ability to provide quality care to women and neonates, however, they still carry on with their duties. This study aimed at investigating the coping strategies that Ghanaian midwives adopt to be able to complete their work. Methods: Glaserian Grounded theory was used in this study. Data were collected through non-participant observations and semi-structured interviews. The study participants included 29 midwives who worked in labour/birthing environments and a pharmacist, a social worker, a national Health Insurance Scheme manager and a health services manager. Findings: The …

Investigating Auditory Electrophysiological Measures Of Participants With Mild Cognitive Impairment And Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Event-Related Potential Studies, Hadeel Y. Tarawneh, Wilhelmina H. A. M. Mulders, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Ralph N. Martins, Dona M. P. Jayakody

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Objectively measuring auditory functions has been proposed as an avenue in differentiating normal age-related cognitive dysfunction from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its prodromal states. Previous research has suggested auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) to be non-invasive, cost-effective, and efficient biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review the published literature on AERPs measures in older adults diagnosed with AD and those at higher risk of developing AD, i.e., mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline. Methods: The search was performed on six major electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, …

Bully Me, Bruce Roberts Mutard

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

What price bullying? Is it as simple as saying: ‘hit back’ or, ‘toughen up’? Or, is it to be endured, because it won’t last forever? But what if it does last? What if the bullies finally go away, but you’re left with the worst bully of all: yourself? Your inner voice telling you you’re no good, you’re ugly, you’re the worst in the world and it would be better off without you?

How do you escape the bully that lives inside your head, all day, every day, every night?

This is the story of how I managed to escape that …

Exploring The Implementation Of An Intervention For A Pupil With Mathematical Learning Difficulties: A Case Study, Kin Eng Chin, Sai Hoe Fu

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study presents a single case study of how a remedial mathematics teacher incorporated an instructional intervention into her teaching practices in order to teach counting to a pupil with mathematical learning difficulties. This new theory-driven intervention was developed by the authors of this study. Dyscalculia is a term which refers to a wide range of mathematical learning difficulties or disabilities. Dyscalculic pupils have a specific mathematics learning disorder with a core deficit in representing and processing of numerosity. They might not be able to recognise numerical quantities, performing counting and so on. Early supports such as interventions have a …

Customer Value Creation For The Emerging Market Middle Class: Perspectives From Case Studies In India, Rifat Sharmelly, Anton Klarin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper examines the customer value creation framework and discusses the design of the key elements for product development in emerging markets. A scientometric/bibliometric scoping literature review identifies a clear gap in the current research in studying prerequisites for customer value creation in emerging market contexts. Observing experiences of Daikin and Renault in the context of India, the purpose of this paper is to identify value creation strategic choices following which comprehensive customer value offerings in products and services can be successfully created by firms across the four facets of the framework in emerging markets. Value creation strategies include having …

Follow The Leader: Child-Led Inquiries To Develop Science Learning Of Young Children, Pauline Roberts

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Science education in the early years has been found to be lacking when compared to other content areas, specifically numeracy and literacy. It has been suggested that this lack of opportunity for young children to learn science is due to educator’s lack of confidence to teach science, fuelled by concerns regarding a reduced understanding of science concepts. For young children, however, science is everywhere and is embedded in all aspects of their lives as they explore and interact to make sense of the world around them. Given this natural connection to science, it is important for educators to notice and …

Opportunities To Identify And Develop People Skills: What University Students Need Early In Their Degree Journey, Ros Sambell, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Devine, Jill Darby, Shelley Beatty, Stephanie Godrich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Employability skills can be categorised as ‘people’ or ‘soft skills’ and ‘technical’ or ‘industry specific’ skills. Australian employers are increasingly seeking to employ university graduates with well-developed people skills. Evidence from industry suggests these skills, in particular communication skills are lacking in today’s graduates. The aim of this study was to raise student awareness of the importance of people skills, assess their perception of personal competence across a range of these skills and support them to develop plans that will help them strengthen these skills in preparation for graduation. An online survey was emailed to 222 first year undergraduate students; …

The Open Maritime Traffic Analysis Dataset, Martin Masek, Chiou Peng Lam, Travis Rybicki, Jacob Snell, Daniel Wheat, Luke Kelly, Damion Glassborow, Cheryl Smith-Gander

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Ships traverse the world’s oceans for a diverse range of reasons, including the bulk transportation of goods and resources, carriage of people, exploration and fishing. The size of the oceans and the fact that they connect a multitude of different countries provide challenges in ensuring the safety of vessels at sea and the prevention of illegal activities. To assist with the tracking of ships at sea, the International Maritime Organisation stipulates the use of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) on board ships. The AIS system periodically broadcasts details of a ship’s position, speed and heading, along with other parameters corresponding …

Nursing And Allied Health Staff Perceptions And Experiences Of A Volunteer Stroke Peer Support Program: A Qualitative Study, Rosemary Saunders, Kien Chan, Renée M. Graham, Elena Adams, Caroline E. Bulsara, Karla Seaman, Marcella Cranny-Connolly

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Stroke brings about physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes and, conse-quently, many stroke survivors feel underprepared for the transition from hospital to home. Nursing and allied health staff have a key role in stroke rehabilitation. Peer support programs have been found effective in supporting stroke survivors, alongside hospital staff caring for stroke patients, by providing experiential knowledge that staff are not able to provide. Aim: This study explored the perceptions and experiences of nursing and allied health staff of a volunteer peer support program for stroke inpatients. Methods: This study utilised a qualitative, evaluative case study design. This study was …

The Potential Of Involving Communities To Enhance Stem Education, Paula Mildenhall, Bronwen Cowie

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

By engaging students in everyday issues and events, STEM education can contribute to the development of citizens who are equipped to make the world a better place. However, students’ STEM learning with this focus requires teachers to identify age and context appropriate issues. Student investigation of local issues and events can be motivating for students. Their learning can benefit from involvement with community members who input their knowledge and ideas. Students can contribute ideas and actions to the community, especially when there is a two-way exchange of information from the community to students and students to the community. In this …

When Authenticity Goes Missing: How Monocultural Children’S Literature Is Silencing The Voices And Contributing To Invisibility Of Children From Minority Backgrounds, Helen Adam

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The importance of recognising, valuing and respecting a child’s family, culture, language and values is central to socially just education and is increasingly articulated in educational policy worldwide. Inclusive children’s literature can support children’s human rights and contribute to equitable and socially just outcomes for all children. However, evidence suggests many educational settings provide monocultural book collections which are counterproductive to principles of diversity and social justice. Further, that educators’ understandings and beliefs about diversity can contribute to inequitable provision and use of diverse books and to inequitable outcomes of book sharing for many children. This paper reports on a …

Mental Health Consequences Of Covid-19 Media Coverage: The Need For Effective Crisis Communication Practices, Zhaohui Su, Dean Mcdonnell, Jun Wen, Metin Kozak, Jaffar Abbas, Sabina Šegalo, Xiaoshan Li, Junaid Ahmad, Ali Cheshmehzangi, Yuyang Cai, Ling Yang, Yu Tao Xiang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2021, The Author(s). During global pandemics, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), crisis communication is indispensable in dispelling fears, uncertainty, and unifying individuals worldwide in a collective fight against health threats. Inadequate crisis communication can bring dire personal and economic consequences. Mounting research shows that seemingly endless newsfeeds related to COVID-19 infection and death rates could considerably increase the risk of mental health problems. Unfortunately, media reports that include infodemics regarding the influence of COVID-19 on mental health may be a source of the adverse psychological effects on individuals. Owing partially to insufficient crisis communication practices, media and news …

Employees’ Perceptions Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Ethical Leadership: Are They Uniquely Related To Turnover Intention?, Mehran Nejati, Michael E. Brown, Azadeh Shafaei, Pi-Shen Seet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the simultaneous effect of ethical leadership (EL) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employees’ turnover intention and examine the mediating mechanism in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a field study of 851 employees across a variety of industries. This study applied partial least squares structural equation modelling for hypothesis testing. Findings: The results show that employees’ perceptions of CSR as well as EL are both uniquely and negatively related to turnover intention. The authors also found that employees’ job satisfaction but not commitment, mediates these …

What Is The Literacy Supportive Role Of The School Librarian In The United Kingdom?, Margaret K. Merga

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© The Author(s) 2020. Building students’ literacy skills is a key educative purpose of contemporary schooling. While libraries can play a key role in fostering literacy and related reading engagement in schools, more needs to be known about school librarians’ role in promoting these goals. To this end, this article seeks to identify the nature and scope of the literacy supportive role required of the school librarian in the United Kingdom. It also investigates how this aspect is situated within the broader competing role requirements of the profession. Using a hybrid approach to content analysis including both qualitative and quantitative …

Positive Drug Stories: Possibilities For Agency And Positive Subjectivity For Harm Reduction, Liam B. Engel, Stephen J. Bright, Monica J. Barratt, Matthew M. Allen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

People who use drugs understand drugs and drug use in ways that are often different to the way knowledge of drug use is constructed within the dominant medico-legal discourse. Their experiences are, more often than not, represented in negative ways within dominant discourse, a disconnect that can create adverse consequences for people who use drugs, through the production of stigma and shame leading to poor health and social outcomes. A key difference in how drugs are understood by people who use drugs is the capacity of the former to recognize positive aspects of drug use and create more agentic subjectivities …