Digital Commons Network^™

Becoming Singular: Musical Identity Construction And Maintenance Through The Lens Of Identity Process Theory, Melissa Forbes, Jason Goopy, Amanda E. Krause

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study uses identity process theory to understand the social–psychological processes that motivate individuals to construct an identity in which music, singing, and singing teaching feature prominently. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 Australian singing teachers (with an average age 60) to understand how they enacted identity principles that motivate identity construction and maintenance. Findings were captured in two themes: (1) ‘It has just been music’: Living a musical life is my destiny; (2) ‘I know my value’: Achieving goals in music and teaching is motivating. Participants’ consistent musical engagement across the lifespan satisfied the identity …

Embedding Coaching And Local Education Champions In Implementing Trauma Informed Practice, Govind Krishnamoorthy, Domenico Antonaglia, Vicki Dallinger, Emily Berger, Sonja March, Sabrina Ong, Katrina Sherman, Nicole Goodwin, Nathan Eiby, Bronwyn Rees, Jessica Koslouski, Kay Ayre

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Growing recognition of the high prevalence of childhood adversity and maltreatment in the general population has led to efforts to support students through trauma-informed practice (TIP). This study investigated the use of coaching in effectively implementing trauma-informed programs in schools. A psychologist and a program “champion” (learning engagement coordinator) provided individual teachers coaching on student socio-emotional and behavioral concerns. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 teachers at an Australian primary school implementing the Trauma-informed Behavior Support (TIBS) program. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to ascertain coaching acceptability, feasibility, and impact themes. Findings suggested that the alignment of coaching with preceding …

Philosophers On Prison Abolitionism: Theory Versus Practice, Piero Moraro

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Philosophers have long been debating the moral justifiability of punishment. However, they have seemingly ignored the adjacent question concerning the moral justifiability of incarceration, as demonstrated by the dearth of philosophical work on prison abolitionism. This silence is puzzling, given that, on closer examination, many philosophers implicitly (or even explicitly) endorse the core assumptions of prison abolitionism. By discussing some examples in the recent literature in philosophy of punishment, I argue that philosophers support prison abolitionism in practice, but not in theory. They endorse the practical strategies in the abolitionist agenda, yet refuse to engage with the normative assumptions that …

The Effects Of Interventions On Health-Related Quality Of Life Of People Living With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review, Amineh Rashidi, Lisa Whitehead, Lisa Newson, Helen Walthall, Clare Van Miert, Vivien Kemp, Ian Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To synthesise the evidence from randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness of interventions to improve health-related quality of life in people living with cardiovascular disease. Design: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data Sources: A systematic search of eight databases was conducted to identify relevant papers that were published in English and peer-reviewed. Review Methods: The titles and abstracts of the articles were screened by two independent reviewers. The remaining articles underwent full text screening, followed by quality appraisal conducted by two independent reviewers. Results: This review included 13 studies. The intervention in all studies was cardiac rehabilitation. In spite …

Ai Agents And Agentic Systems: A Multi-Expert Analysis, Laurie Hughes, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Tegwen Malik, Mazen Shawosh, Mousa Ahmed Albashrawi, Il Jeon, Vincent Dutot, Mandanna Appanderanda, Tom Crick, Rahul De’, Mark Fenwick, Senali Madugoda Gunaratnege, Paulius Jurcys, Arpan Kumar Kar, Nir Kshetri, Keyao Li, Sashah Mutasa, Spyridon Samothrakis, Michael Wade, Paul Walton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The emergence of AI agents and agentic systems represents a significant milestone in artificial intelligence, enabling autonomous systems to operate, learn, and collaborate in complex environments with minimal human intervention. This paper, drawing on multi-expert perspectives, examines the potential of AI agents and agentic systems to reshape industries by decentralizing decision-making, redefining organizational structures, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration. Specific applications include healthcare systems capable of creating adaptive treatment plans, supply chain agents that predict and address disruptions in real-time, and business process automation that reallocates tasks from humans to AI, improving efficiency and innovation. However, the integration of these systems …

Examining Love As A Central Ethic Of Leadership: A Kierkegaardian And Feminist Reading, Edward Wray-Bliss, Irene E. De Pater

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper examines love as a concept for advancing our understanding of the ethics of leadership. We draw upon writings that consider love to be at the heart of modern subjects’ search for meaning and affective attachment to organisation – necessitating, we argue, an exploration of leadership too in these terms. Existing works on leaders’ supposed love for those they lead are considered. These serve as a springboard from which to undertake a philosophical examination of two dominant formulations of an ethics of love in Western culture: neighbour and agapeic love. Neither of these conceptualisations, we argue, suffice as an …

Ecological Grief: How Can We Bear This Together?, Susan Bailey, Nicholas Gerrish

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The impacts of human activity on ecosystems are increasingly evident through ecological degradation and climate change. Despite this, in many jurisdictions across the world, action to address and curtail destructive human activities is slow and resisted at all levels. In this article, we suggest that this resistance is connected to deep ecological grief. We introduce a dual approach to understanding ecological grief, using concepts of unprecedented and unacknowledged grief. Unprecedented grief is felt in response to the loss of our ecosystems and unacknowledged grief connected to the anticipated loss of lifestyle necessary to curtail destructive human behaviour. Drawing upon an …

Value Incoherence Precedes Value Change: Evidence From Value Development In Childhood And Adolescence Across Cultures, Ella Daniel, Anat Bardi, Julie A. Lee, Ricarda Scholz-Kuhn, Einat Elizarov, Jan Cieciuch, Ariel Knafo-Noam, Alice Ramos, Michele Vecchione, Rene Algesheimer, Evelia Murcia Alvarez, Avital Ben Dror Lankry, Maya Benish-Weisman, Ricardo Borges Rodriques, Anat Chomsky, Patricia R. Collins, Eldad Davidov, Anna K. Doring, Stefanie Habermann, Dana Katsoty, Martin Kindschi, Elena Makarova, Gilda Marsicano, Kinneret Misgav, Thomas P. Oeschger, Leonor Pereira Da Costa, Joanne Sneddon, Iva Tendais, Louise Twito-Weingarten

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We test the theory that personality incoherence may instigate personality change in the context of personal values. Values’ near-universal organization makes value incoherence assessment straightforward. The study included 13 longitudinal samples from seven cultures (Australia, Israel Palestinian citizens, Israel Jewish majority, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland), total N = 7,126, and T1 Mage ranging between 6 and 18. Each participant reported values between two- and six-times. Using unfolding analysis, we calculated the fit of the internal value structure of each participant at the first time point to the value structure in their sample (normative structure) and to the theoretical structure …

Applying Hybrid Coding And Reflexivity In Qualitative Content Analysis: An Exemplar, Kunwar Kaur, Ma’En Zaid Abu-Qamar, Amineh Rashidi, Nilufeur Mckay, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) is a widely used method in nursing research for analysing textual data. Numerous authors have provided comprehensive explanations of this approach, including step-by-step guidelines. The coding methods employed in QCA are typically categorised as deductive, inductive, or a combination of both, often referred to as the abductive or hybrid technique. However, the hybrid coding technique remains under-utilised within nursing research. Further, trustworthiness, a cornerstone of qualitative research, has been extensively discussed in the literature, with reflexivity identified as a key component of ensuring rigor and credibility. This paper presents an example from nursing research where a …

Decent Work In Ghana: Towards Understanding The Role Of Positive Psychological States In Worker Turnover Intentions, Albert Amankwaa, Irene Elisabeth De Pater, Isaac Kosi, Desmond Tutu Ayentimi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Decent work contributes to healthy work and employment, and strong societies. However, accessing decent work is a major issue particularly in developing economies where large proportions of the workforce hold precarious jobs or lack social security. Yet, so far, research on decent work and its scale validation has largely overlooked developing economy contexts, and this defeats the purpose of psychology of working theory to explain work experiences of all individuals. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, we validate Duffy et al.’s Decent Work Scale (DWS) in the Ghanaian context and second, we test a theory-driven model connecting decent …

Exploring The Sociocultural Significance Of Funerals In Zongo Communities In Less-Developed Countries: A Case Of Effiakuma Zongo In The Western Region Of Ghana, Fusheini Halawayhi, Victor Fannam Nunfam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Social and cultural capital have been recognized as critical assets for improving nations under the Sustainable Development Goals. The sociocultural significance of funerals in Zongo communities in Ghana, however, has not received much research attention. The Kastenbaum’s concept of funerals and Szmigin and Louise’s relational framework on funeral experiences were used to explore the social-cultural significance of funeral in the Effiakuma Zongo community as is the case in Ghana. Based on interpretive phenomenology and descriptive case study, we purposively sampled and conducted focus group interviews with 15 participants including bereaved family members, gravediggers and Imams. Data was processed and analyzed …

Health Education In Swedish Schools–What’S On Offer?, V. Varea, A. Caldeborg, D. Barker, M. Quennerstedt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this paper is to identify the dominant discourses of health and wellbeing that are offered in health education in Swedish schools. Issues of health and wellbeing are covered mainly in four school subjects in Sweden: physical education and health, home and consumer studies, biology, and social studies, and therefore, we interviewed teachers from those subjects to generate data. Six interrelated health discourses were identified from the data. All discourses were, however, also embedded within a health discourse with a comprehensive description of health as physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Results suggest that schools offer a Western and …

Mothers, Social Capital And Children’S Physical Literacy Journeys In Rural Australia, Kate Mccreery, Dawn Penney, Ruth Jeanes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In rural communities in Australia, the provision of sport and physical activities for children almost exclusively relies upon parents and their ability to access and contribute to facilities, funding, volunteers, and administration. This paper brings Putnam’s social capital framework to Whitehead’s conceptualisation of physical literacy as a journey to offer original insight into children’s sport participation and the opportunities arising for physical literacy development in rural communities in Australia. Changes in sport participation in Australia and directions in sport policy set an important context for the project, which is located in a small rural community in Western Australia. It was …

Adolescent Parent Perceptions On Sustainable Career Opportunities And Building Employability Capitals For Future Work, Denise Jackson, Claire Lambert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As primary career influencers, parents must support adolescent children in navigating evolving and increasingly challenging employment landscapes. Using a capitals lens, this study explores secondary school parents’ capacity to provide informed career advice and their perceptions on factors known to enhance youth employability and employment prospects. Survey data were collected from 301 Australian secondary school parents to examine their understanding of sustainable youth career opportunities, what can aid youth’s employment prospects, and their utilisation of available resources to support career advice for adolescents. While parents’ perceptions of opportunities by sector and industry aligned with wider thinking, many lacked awareness of …

Physiological Plateaus During Normal Labor And Birth: A Novel Definition, Marina Weckend, Kylie Mccullough, Christine Duffield, Sara Bayes, Clare Davison

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Diagnoses of labor dystocia, and subsequent labor augmentation, make one of the biggest contributions to childbirth medicalization, which remains a key challenge in contemporary maternity care. However, labor dystocia is poorly defined, and the antithetical concept of physiological plateaus remains insufficiently explored. Aim: To generate a definition of physiological plateaus as a basis for further research. Methods: This qualitative study applied grounded theory methods and comprised interviews with 20 midwives across Australia, conducted between September 2020 and February 2022. Data were coded in a three-phase approach, starting with inductive line-by-line coding, which generated themes and subthemes, and finally, through …

The Combined Role Of Sexual Selection And Socioeconomic Environment In Explaining Everyday Risk-Taking Behavior In Human Males, Hannah Goodman, Cyril C. Grueter, David A. Coall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sexual selection theory predicts that males, especially in their prime reproductive years, are more risk-prone than females. Risk-taking is a means to convey mate quality or “good genes” to members of the opposite sex or competitive ability to members of the same sex. Therefore, risk-taking should be more common in the presence of potential mates (intersexual selection or female choice) or in the presence of male competitors (intrasexual selection or male–male competition). Risk-taking can also be situated within a life history/ecological perspective, according to which environmental unpredictability promotes more present-oriented and risky behavioral strategies. Therefore, people living in areas of …

Innovation Through Conceptual Research: Tips For Stoking Curiosity, Jun Wen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Conceptual research represents a critical step in the theory-building process and contributes innovative ideas that inspire empirical studies. This feature article highlights the importance of such research in academia with examples drawn from the tourism literature. It also critically discusses issues related to publishing conceptual research in premier journals. By using a five-dimension framework of curiosity (i.e., deprivation sensitivity, joyous exploration, social curiosity, stress tolerance, and thrill seeking), scholars can assess researchers’ conceptual topics and readers’ responses when contemplating “what's new” to gauge a paper's publication potential. Several tips are offered to guide like-minded scholars in conducting sound conceptual research: …

Managing The Impact Of Workplace Trauma For Australian First Responders: Harmonizing Policy And Practice, Aglae Hernandez Grande, Fleur Sharafizad, Ben Farr-Wharton, Yvonne Brunetto, Matthew Richman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Police, fire, ambulance, and emergency services workers face an increased exposure to traumatic events while at work, negatively affecting their mental health, and with broader financial, legal, and moral implications for the public sector organizations that employ them. To better support these workers, and to mitigate the potential financial burden resulting from workers’ compensation claims, many first responder organizations are implementing wellbeing initiatives. This article examines the efficacy of an initiative for a sample of 530 frontline and administrative first responders, working in one state jurisdiction in Australia. The results indicate that wellbeing programmes moderate the impact of trauma on …

Implementing Gross National Happiness In Bhutan As A Development Model And Governance Tool – Perspectives Of Policy Influencers, Tashi Dorji, Angus Morrison-Saunders, David Blake

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bhutan’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) prioritises the collective wellbeing of its people over economic growth through a multidimensional index that informs policy. While GNH has received global recognition, persistent challenges in conceptual clarity and practical implementation are argued and debated. This qualitative study examines the role and utility of GNH as a development model and its implementation as a multifaceted governance tool in Bhutan. The findings reveal that GNH is conceptualised in diverse ways, ranging from personal happiness to a more generic communal philosophy. While its strengths lie in its culturally grounded framework, key limitations include a …

Abusing The International Solidarity Principle: Human Rights, International Solidarity, And The Eu's Bilateral Migration Deals, Jamal Barnes, Samuel M. Makinda

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The international solidarity principle is a crucial legal norm of international society. It helps guide state conduct and facilitate cooperation among international actors to respond to global challenges and uphold human rights. The European Union (EU) and its Member States have argued that their bilateral agreements with non-EU countries to prevent irregular migration to Europe is a demonstration of international solidarity that fulfils their obligations to asylum seekers and refugees. However, the EU's interpretation of international solidarity in these arrangements has been contested. This article argues that the EU has strategically interpreted the international solidarity principle to fit in with, …

Of Scents And Cytokines: How Olfactory And Food Aversions Relate To Nausea And Immunomodulation In Early Pregnancy, Dayoon Kwon, Daniel M.T. Fessler, Delaney A. Knorr, Kyle S. Wiley, Julie Sartori, David A. Coall, Molly M. Fox

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: During pregnancy, the maternal body undergoes extensive physiological adaptations to support embryonic growth, including whole-body remodeling, that may induce odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting. The biological mechanisms behind odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, remain largely unexplored. Our study investigated associations between these changes and cytokine profiles during pregnancy. Methodology: A cohort of pregnant Latina women in Southern California (n = 58) completed a structured questionnaire on pregnancy "morning sickness"-related symptoms and aversions. Maternal plasma cytokine levels were measured between 5 and 17 weeks' gestation. Results: About …

Open Educational Resources In Epidemiology: A Case Study Of Student Perceptions, Kiam Padamsey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Textbooks are fundamental in epidemiological education, but their rising costs and static nature present challenges in an ever-evolving academic landscape. Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a potential solution by providing free, adaptable, and high-quality alternative learning materials. This study examined student perceptions of an OER textbook compared to a traditional epidemiology textbook across undergraduate and postgraduate epidemiology units at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. A total of n = 164 students responded to a survey assessing textbook quality, alignment with course objectives, clarity, and perceived impact on learning. Results indicated students perceived no significant differences between the traditional and OER …

Physical Education And Sport-Focused Degree Programs: An Exploration Of Symbolic Boundaries And Policy Negotiations, Ellen Jones, David Aldous, Andrew P. Lane, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article explores the negotiation of contemporary policy agendas in physical education and sport-focused degree programs. Centring on one Higher Education Institution in Wales, the article pursues three foci in negotiations that are integral to the everyday work, relations and identities of academic staff: the commodification of university sport; quality learning and teaching; and changing relations with industry. Conceptually, the article draws upon Bernstein’s concept of symbolic boundaries to critically explore the translation and enactment of different policy agendas, and pursue constraints and possibilities arising for subject, professional and learner identities. Data from focus groups and interviews with 16 participants …

Psychotropic Medications Versus Non-Pharmacologic Approaches For Managing Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms In Australian Aged Care Residents With Dementia: General Practitioners’ And Physicians’ Perspectives, Hunduma D. Ayeno, Mustafa Atee, Gizat M. Kassie, Vijayaprakash Suppiah, Imaina Widagdo, Tuan A. Nguyen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Psychotropic medications are often inappropriately prescribed for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), posing significant risks such as falls, stroke and death. Although non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are the first-line treatment for BPSD, their use in practice remains limited. Objectives: This study explored general practitioners’ (GPs’) and physicians’ perspectives on using psychotropic medications compared to NPIs for managing BPSD in Australian residential aged care homes (RACHs). Design: Semi-structured online in-depth interviews were conducted with GPs and physicians managing BPSD in Australian RACHs. Methods: The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis, with transcripts coded using NVivo …

Risky Topics In Health Education: Enacted Content When Students With Migration Backgrounds Meet Swedish Health Education, Mikael Quennerstedt, Annica Caldeborg, Dean Barker, Valeria Varea

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

School health educational content often entails different subject areas and a variety of topics that students are supposed to learn, and when taught in diverse classrooms, potentially positions students as at-risk. Using vignettes in interviews with migrant students in Sweden, the study focuses on views of the content of health education in relation to different ways that health as risk is enacted. Four aspects of risk were identified: (i) risk as content in health education and risky, including topics such as nutrition, stress, smoking, and pollution; (ii) risk as content in health education but not so risky, including topics such …

Phase-Specific Pandemic Survival Strategies: Insights From Tour Operators, Kai Xin Tay, Thanam Subramaniam, Jeniffer Kim Lian Chan, Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Joaquim Dias Soeiro

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and a significant and negative impact on the tourism sector, and effective strategies were required to resolve pertinent challenges. The present study sought to appraise the survival strategies of Malaysian tour operators through a systematic literature review and in-depth interviews with 26 tour operator firms. The findings were discussed by employing a reactive, adaptive, protective, and proactive (RAPP) framework to underscore phase-specific strategies. The first phase included decreasing operational expenditures and staff layoffs. The second phase encompassed retraining existing staff while diversifying the current business scope. The third phase prioritised protecting financial integrity, engaging …

Submission To The 'Inquiry Into The Harm Young New Zealanders Encounter Online, And The Roles That Government, Business, And Society Should Play In Addressing Those Harms', Siobhan Healy-Cullen, Giselle Woodley, Lelia Green, Leon Huxtable

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We are a group of researchers and educators from Aotearoa New Zealand (Massey University), and Australia (Edith Cowan University), who collaborate on research, grant applications, scholarly articles, policy debates and youth-led interventions to define and co-create strategies that support young people in navigating and processing their experiences with online sexual content.

We welcome the chance to submit to this parliamentary inquiry, and thank the Aotearoa New Zealand parliament for the opportunity to contribute our expertise and offer input into your deliberations. We are encouraged that the terms of reference stipulate that "not all young people experience the world in the …

Beyond Assessment Security: A Critical Policy Analysis Of Four Alternative Strategies To Uphold Academic Integrity And Adopt The Genai Transformation Of Teaching And Learning For An Accredited Engineering Degree, Sasha Nikolic, Montserrat Ros, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli, Helen Fairweather

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), exemplified by tools such as ChatGPT, has posed significant challenges and opportunities in the realm of academic integrity, particularly in engineering education. This commentary critically examines alternative strategies that go beyond traditional assessment security, aiming to uphold academic integrity while embracing the transformative potential of GenAI in teaching and learning. In the context of programs that rely on unit level outcomes to determine the overall student progression (not the programmatic approach to progression), this study identifies and explores four strategies that may offer potential improvements to assessment security: I-risk-level analysis, which aligns the mix of supervised …

Practices And Perceptions In Hamstring Training For Injury Prevention And Enhancement Of Athletic Performance: A Qualitative Analysis, Steven Ross, Nicholas J. Ripley, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. Previously, the current authors have reported practices and perceptions of training for the mitigation of HSIs, however such practices are highly nuanced. In this study, the authors utilised semi-structured interviews to further understand applied practitioner perceptions and identify how evidence is translated into practice. Twelve practitioners (one physiotherapist and eleven strength and conditioning [S&C] coaches including one dual accredited S&C coach and physiotherapist) working in a range of sporting disciplines were interviewed across six broad categories of questioning (practitioner profile, job role challenges, resistance training, high-speed running …

Circulating Medium- And Long-Chain Acylcarnitines Are Associated With Plasma P-Tau181 In Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Tahmida Sharmin, Pratishtha Chatterjee, James D. Doecke, Nicholas J. Ashton, Kevin Huynh, Steve Pedrini, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Benjamin Heng, Shaun Eslick, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Manohar Garg, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis involves dysregulation in diverse biochemical processes. Nevertheless, plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (P-tau181), a recognised AD biomarker, has been described to reflect early-stage cortical amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in cognitively normal (CN) adults. Therefore, identifying changes in plasma metabolites associated with plasma P-tau181 at the pre-clinical stage may provide insights into underlying biochemical mechanisms to better understand initial AD pathogenesis. In the current study, plasma P-tau181, quantified via single molecule array (Simoa) technology, and plasma metabolites, quantified via targeted-mass spectrometry, were investigated for associations in CN older adults and upon stratification by positron emission tomography (PET)-Aβ …