Digital Commons Network^™

The Ecology Of Hope: Building Rainbows In Education Systems, Jennifer Achari

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hope is frequently invoked in education, yet rarely theorised. Where it has been theorised, it has been understood in two largely separate ways: as an individual psychological capacity, in the positive-psychology tradition and as a critical-emancipatory stance, in the pedagogy of hope. This article proposes a third: a theory, the ecology of hope, that locates hope not in the individual alone but in the relationship between a person and the systems that surround them. Bringing the cognitive psychology of hope into dialogue with ecological systems theory, the social-ecological account of resilience, and utopian methodology, in which a better society is …

When The Panic Sets In: Ai-Proofing As Pedagogical Violence In Social Work Education, Norah Hosken, Susan Bailey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Universities’ rushed responses to generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) constitute pedagogical violence against students and educators in social work programs. Drawing on Matusov and Sullivan’s pedagogical violence framework and Bourdieu’s symbolic violence, we examine how institutional mandates to ‘AI-proof’ assessments contradict core social work values while inflicting systematic harm. AI-proofing policies impose time-limited assessments disadvantaging disabled students and those with caring responsibilities, deploy surveillance technologies that discriminate against non-native English speakers, demand unsustainable workload increases from burned-out educators, and dismantle scaffolded pedagogy aligned with how social workers learn to practise. Using collaborative autoethnography, we document our experiences across Australian universities and …

Women Are Discriminated Against On The Basis Of Sex: Anti-Trans Epistemologies In Australian Universities, Emily M. Gray, Jacqueline Ullman, Mindy Blaise

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article offers an analysis of qualitative data from a multi-phased project entitled Understanding and Addressing Everyday Sexisms in Australian Universities. The project’s key aim was to improve the ways in which gender-based discrimination is understood and addressed in Australian universities. It achieved this aim through adopting a situated, intersectional, and creative approach to data generation and analysis. The authors examine data from phase three of the project, a large-scale survey that was distributed across 12 of Australia’s 39 public universities, yielding 1257 responses. The survey was designed to encourage academic staff of all genders to participate and aimed to …

Converging Demands, Diverging Experiences: Gendered Leadership In The Australian Mining, Oil And Gas Sector During A Prolonged Crisis, Michael Mayom Ajith, Andrei Alexander Lux, Michelle Striepe, Tim Bentley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Effective leadership during a prolonged crisis requires significant emotional and moral labour. Prior literature has examined gendered differences in leadership behaviour and performance during a crisis, yet less is known about how leaders experience gendered expectations during a prolonged crisis. This study therefore examines gender differences in middle-level leaders’ experiences during a protracted crisis in the Australian extractive industry.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a sequential qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 middle-level leaders in the Australian mining, oil and gas industry. The full data set was first analysed thematically to establish a broad account of leadership experiences. …

Fostering Relational Leadership Skills In Mining: The Signal Online Program, Arian Kunzelmann, Armaghan Shafaei, Esme Franken, Kate Blackwood, Tim Bentley, R. Xia, L. Deacon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: Leaders play a critical role in shaping workplace well-being, respect, and mental health in mining. This study examined the relational leadership capabilities underpinning the SIGNal program and explored the contextual factors that influence leadership development and the application of learning in mining workplaces. The quantitative findings showed that supportive, inclusive, growth-oriented, and adaptive leadership behaviours tend to co-exist and are strongly associated with positive worker outcomes. Workers who perceived their leaders as highly relational reported substantially higher levels of job satisfaction, work engagement, well-being, and respect at work. The findings also highlighted the importance of organisational factors, with psychosocial …

A Delicate Balance: Experiences And Wellbeing Of Pre-Service Teachers Navigating Demands And Benefits Of Studying While Working As A Teacher, Caroline F. Mansfield, Jane Kirkham, Narelle Lemon, Lisa Papatraianou

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In the face of a global teacher shortage various strategies are being used to bolster the teaching workforce. In Australia, one such strategy has been to employ pre-service teachers under alternative permission to teach contracts. Given the recency of this phenomenon, there is little empirical evidence about the impact of this strategy on pre-service teachers, specifically how this experience may influence their wellbeing and retention in the profession. Utilising the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework, this study explores the benefits and demands of alternative permission to teach arrangements on pre-service teachers, and in particular the impact on their wellbeing and career …

A Survey Of Australian Healthcare Practitioners’ Perspectives On Goal Setting In Occupational Rehabilitation, Grace Redden, Christopher J. Stevens, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Syeda Farah Zahir, Christian Swann

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Nearly half a million Australians experience workplace injury or illness each year, and return-to-work rates have declined, particularly for psychological conditions. Practitioners use goal setting to structure return-to-work planning and are directed by national guidance to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals. How practitioners apply these criteria across different injuries and illnesses is not well understood. This study examined practitioners’ perspectives on goal setting in workers’ compensation rehabilitation in Australia, with a focus on SMART goals.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of Australian healthcare practitioners who treated physical conditions, psychological conditions, or both, was conducted. Quantitative data …

How Perceived Empowerment And Place Attachment Drive Residents’ Support For Sustainable Tourism In Central Vietnam: A Serial Mediation Model, Phuong Kim Thi Tran, Nhi Thao Ho-Mai, Tuan Nien Tran, Vinh Trung Tran

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

From the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S–O–R) framework, this study proposes a serial mediation model to examine psychological drivers of residents’ support for sustainable tourism development (STD) in central Vietnam. Specifically, this study investigates how perceived empowerment and place attachment as stimulus influence residents’ attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) as organism, which in turn shape their intentions to support STD as response. The study empirically surveyed 686 residents engaging with tourism services in three cities, namely Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam, in central Vietnam. This study utilised both online and …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Childhood And Adolescent Gender Dysphoria: A Systematic Review, Stella O’Malley, Robin Ion

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Parents play a central role in supporting children experiencing gender dysphoria and in navigating decisions regarding social and medical transition. Despite this, parental perspectives remain underrepresented within the academic literature. This systematic review synthesized research examining how parents understand and interpret experiences of gender dysphoria during childhood and adolescence. Searches were conducted across multiple databases. Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature consisted predominantly of qualitative studies and showed variation in recruitment methods and sampling strategies. Several themes emerged. Parents frequently described shock, confusion, grief, and uncertainty, followed by processes of meaning-making and adaptation. Social stigma and concerns regarding …

The Role Of Participant–Clinician Relationality And Intervention Source In A Violence Reduction Trial: A Qualitative Study, Paul Leslie Simpson, Freya Stephenson, Patricia Morgan, Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, Jocelyn Jones, Peter William Schofield, Lee Knight, Tony Butler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Violence and domestic violence are global public health problems with prevention programs showing limited effectiveness. The form of delivery of such programs can influence their utility yet delivery characteristics are often poorly described. We analysed interviews with clinicians (n = 5) and participants (n = 12) involved in ReINVEST, a violence reduction clinical trial, to identify key elements of delivery. Three themes were identified: (1) clinician accessibility; (2) clinicians as participant advocates; and (3) humane care, reflecting participant–clinician ‘relationality’ as a central component of program delivery. We propose that this relationality is more likely to emerge in interventions delivered independently …

Exploring Factors That Influence Meal Management And Eating Behaviours In People Living With Huntington’S Disease, Joanna Rees, Ran Yan, Melanie Clark, Melanie Jolly, Alex Fisher, Amanda Devine, Simon M. Laws, Kelly Moes, Travis Cruickshank

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: People living with Huntington’s disease (pwHD) experience cognitive and motor changes that affect meal planning, preparation and food consumption. This study explored factors that influence meal management and eating behaviours of pwHD and their families.

Methods: This is a qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Participants included gene-positive individuals living in Perth Western Australia, ranging from asymptomatic or experiencing subtle changes, to early to mid-stage HD.

Results: Nine individuals (mean age 47 ± 12.3 years) were interviewed for the study, including five gene-positive being asymptomatic or minimal symptoms. Seven themes were identified reflecting participants’ existing meal management …

Clinicians’ Experiences And Perspectives On Robot-Assisted Lower Limb And Gait Neurorehabilitation In Western Australia: Robot-Assisted Lower Limb Neurorehabilitation, Nikki Bakhtazad, Amanda Timler, Matthew K. Bagg, Rachel Buckingham, Saran Chamberlain, Barbara Singer, Patricia Martinet, Taya Hamilton, Jodie Marquez, Stuart Hodgetts, Ann Maree Vallence, Eric Gaitho, Emma Gee, Jessica Nolan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation (RALLR) may be an effective adjunct to conventional therapy for those with neurological conditions. Robot-assisted rehabilitation is emerging in Western Australia (WA) and local perspectives on this technology have not been explored. This study aimed to explore perspectives of WA clinicians on RALLR, to inform further implementation.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of neurorehabilitation clinicians across metropolitan WA. A subset of respondents completed semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed thematically.

Results: Fifty-six clinicians (across four professions) completed the survey. Eleven participated in an interview. The majority of clinicians expressed interest in upskilling in rehabilitation robotics …

Noongar Culture, Arts Learning, And Wellbeing Literacy In Early Childhood: A Case Study Of The Song Room’S Deadly Arts Early Years Program In Western Australia Government Primary Schools, Jason Goopy, Narelle Lemon, Megan Mcpherson, Libby Jackson-Barrett, Jacqueline West

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This report presents findings from a case study examining how The Song Room's Deadly Arts Early Years program supports wellbeing literacy in early childhood education through engagement with Noongar culture, arts, and storytelling at Western Australia government primary schools. Conducted on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar at Huntingdale Primary School and Orelia Primary School, the research was co-designed with Indigenous and non-Indigenous teaching artists, school communities, and The Song Room.

The study adopted wellbeing literacy — the capability to understand and intentionally use language about and for wellbeing across contexts — as its theoretical framework. Creative arts-based methods, including draw and tell …

A Brunerian Theoretical Framework For Ece: A Review Of Jerome Bruner’S Theoretical Contributions To Early Childhood Education, Samantha Wynne, Christine Robinson, Dee O’Connor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents the findings of an independent study, a systemic narrative literature review, that identifies and synthesises Jerome Bruner’s theoretical propositions related to young children’s knowledge construction and learning from birth to the early years of schooling. The research contributes the Brunerian Theoretical Framework, the first contextualised synthetisation of Brunerian theory as it relates to Early Childhood Education (ECE). Bruner’s postmodern constructivist and culturalist perspectives related to epistemology, theory, and pedagogy are explicated in the review of literature. Importantly, this paper explores Bruner’s culturalist provocation to centre epistemological inquiry in education. Bruner proposes that when educators adopt an epistemic …

Efficacy And Safety Of Tai Chi For Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Shun Chen, Weiting Liu, Qinwei Fu, Mingyu Huang, Weilan Lin, Yanting Ding, Ming Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Tai Chi, a form of complementary intervention emphasizing breathing and mind-body connection, is increasingly recognized for its potential in pain management. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain management in adults. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, WoS, CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Databases, CENTRAL, and WHO ICTRP were searched from database inception through May 2025, with an additional supplementary search conducted in January 2026. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Tai Chi with other interventions for chronic …

Exploring How Young Consumers Construct Identities In Socially Restrictive Societies: Managing Impressions Through Fashion Clothing, Muhammad Abid, Aron O’Cass, Hormoz Ahmadi, Vida Siahtiri

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In many societies, fashion serves as a medium of self-expression and a site of social regulation, where sartorial decisions can expose consumers to social censure and physical risk. Consequently, consumers must navigate the tension between adhering to local norms and participating in global fashion cultures. This study draws on impression management theory to examine how young consumers in a socially restrictive society use fashion as a means of identity expression while mitigating potential social risks. It uses data from in-depth interviews (n = 40) and open-ended surveys (n = 150) with consumers aged 18 to 35 years, analysed using an …

Music As A Distraction During Reading: Music Listening Habits Of University Students, Lindsey Cooke, Craig Speelman, Ross Hollett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent research indicates high proportions of individuals report they have music playing while they read. This behaviour has implications for effective comprehension, as some scholars suggest the presence of music depletes cognitive resources, resulting in a greater chance of becoming distracted. By contrast, some have claimed that listening to music can improve cognitive performance by increasing physiological arousal and improving mood. This study captured self-reported behaviours of university students regarding whether they chose to listen to music while reading for study purposes. Reasons for listening varied, with reports of increased motivation, enhanced focus, or masking external noise. The most listened …

No Screens Before Two: How First-Time Australian Parents Negotiate Enduring Digital Media Guidelines, Stephanie C. Milford, Emma Jayakumar, Harrison W. See, Lelia Green

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Digital parenting guidance often fails to reflect early caregiving realities, particularly for first-time parents navigating screentime. Although professional guidelines have shifted from rigid time limits toward co-engagement and content quality, these shifts are inconsistently communicated and poorly absorbed into public discourse. Meanwhile, technopanic narratives fuel confusion, guilt, and social judgement. While some studies link extended screen use with adverse outcomes, we examine how correlational findings become blanket prescriptions in early caregiving. Drawing on two interview rounds and three focus groups with 23 Australian first-time parents of children aged birth-to-four, and informed by a socio-ecological approach, we explore how parents interpret …

Providing Help In Europe: Are In-Household Care And Outside-Household Support Associated With Grandparental Child Care?, Roosa Maria Savela, David A. Coall, Mirkka Danielsbacka, Antti O. Tanskanen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Grandparental child care is a vital form of social support that can enhance family well-being. Prior studies have found that older adults who provide support to one individual are more likely to offer help to others within their families and social networks. However, little research has examined whether helping others is associated with grandparental child care. Using data from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe, covering 27 countries, and using multinomial regression models, we show that (a) support provided to individuals outside the household is associated with increased grandparental child care, whereas (b) family care provided within …

Sexuality Education In An Age Of Resistance: Reflections At The Nexus Of Education, Health And Rights, Sarah Vrankovich, Katrina Marson, Giselle Woodley, Jordina Quain, Hanna Saltis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is internationally recognised as essential to public health and young people’s rights. Yet its implementation in Australia and globally is increasingly undermined by conservative backlash, moral panic and political interference. This paper offers a critical reflection on the current landscape of CSE, drawing on insights from a panel discussion at the 2025 World Association for Sexual Health congress, and collaborative analysis. As early-career researchers, sexologists and practitioners working across education, communications, public health and sexual violence prevention, we utilise our collective experience to examine how various influences shape and constrain the delivery of CSE. We map …

Trial Tribulations: Lessons Learned From An Unsuccessful Pilot Trial Of Behavioural Activation In Young People With Early Or Emerging Psychosis At A Regional Mental Health Service, Janina Catalao Dionisio Murta, Bróna Nic Giolla Easpaig, Mitchell K. Byrne, Richard Gray, Martin Jones, David Mitchell, Rebecca Creek, Ellie Brown, Jing Yu Tan, Shaun Dennis, Daniel Bressington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

AimThe experience of conducting an unsuccessful pilot trial of behavioural activation (BA) to improve depressive symptoms in young clients with early or emerging psychosis is reported on. We aimed to identify barriers and enablers to inform the conduct of future trials with this client group.MethodsClinicians completed BA training with the aim of delivering this to suitable clients. Feasibility outcomes were calculated as proportions of feasibility targets. The various stages of the pilot randomised trial were examined, informed by interviews with five young people with early or emerging psychosis and four clinicians. Interviews were content analysed.ResultsClient recruitment and retention targets were …

An Exploratory Survey Of The Application Of Accentuated Eccentric Loading In Resistance Training, Jiahao Yang, Comfort, Kristina Kendall, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to investigate how accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) is currently utilised by strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches. The survey consisted of closed- and open-ended questions divided into 3 key areas of focus (1-Coach and Athlete Demographic, 2-Perceptions of AEL, and 3-Program Design) was administered to S&C coaches. Response frequencies for sections 1 and 2 were calculated as percentages of total respondents, whereas frequencies in Section 3 were calculated relative to respondents who selected each specific training purpose. A thematic analysis was conducted for the responses to an open-ended question. A total of 38 respondents met …

Embracing Vulnerability And Evolving Through Trauma: Teacher Educators’ Collaborative Autoethnographic Reflections, Christina Gray, Lambert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This collaborative autoethnography examines how two university-based teacher educators navigated personal trauma while continuing their academic and caregiving work. Using narrative portraits, the study explores how collaborative storytelling enabled the authors to embrace vulnerability, surface hidden experiences, and make sense of trauma within the normative and relational conditions of academic professionalism. Analysis of the narratives highlights three interrelated mechanisms that supported wellbeing amidst trauma: the ongoing negotiation of teacher identity, the capacity to accept help and relational support, and intentional self-care through reflective practice. Rather than positioning recovery as linear or complete, the study illuminates how educators may continue to …

Flourishing In Hong Kong: An Analysis Of Wellbeing-Related Outcomes In The Global Flourishing Study, Lanxi Huang, Xu, Maggie Yue Zhao, Hanchao Hou, Aaron Jarden, Tim Lomas, Brendan Case, R. Noah Padgett, Ying Chen, Richard G. Cowden, Byron R. Johnson, Tyler J. Vanderweele

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Using population-based data from Hong Kong (N = 3,012) drawn from Wave 1 of the Global Flourishing Study, this study examines the distribution of multidimensional flourishing and explores sociodemographic variation across psychological, social, physical, and economic domains. Overall, respondents reported relatively strong happiness and life satisfaction and financial wellbeing, alongside less favourable social connectedness. Patterns of flourishing varied across age, gender, education, employment, and religious affiliation, highlighting meaningful heterogeneity within the population. Early older adults tended to show more favourable wellbeing profiles, whereas younger adults and nonreligious individuals displayed comparatively lower scores across several domains. Educational attainment and employment status …

How Does Pre-Registration Child Specific Education Prepare Newly Qualified Nurses’ To Care For Children, Young People, And Their Families? An Empty Narrative Review, Matthew Carey, Edge, Julie Blamires, Mandie Foster, Sarah Neill

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This narrative review investigates the influence of child-specific content within pre-registration nursing programs on newly qualified nurses’ perceptions of preparedness to care for children, young people, and their families. Despite international recognition of the specialised competencies required for pediatric nursing, the proportion and quality of child-focused education across Higher Education Institutions is not clear. The Population, Exposure, Outcome framework provided a comprehensive search strategy applied across eight databases to identify relevant studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of 663 records identified, 451 were screened and 25 full texts were assessed for eligibility by two reviewers. No studies met …

Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions For Dementia Caregivers: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Aisling Smyth, Lambert, Mark Jenkins, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem, Misganaw Gebrie Worku, Sujatha Shanmugasundaram

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Caregivers of people living with dementia frequently report poor sleep. This systematic review describes evidence from randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological sleep interventions for dementia carers. Methods: A systematic search of major databases was undertaken. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. Narrative synthesis followed Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines due to substantial heterogeneity. Findings: Eighteen articles were included. Risk of Bias analyses revealed most studies had high overall risk of bias, primarily from selection of reported result bias. Interventions comprised of five categories: sleep-promoting, carer well-being, exercise, technology-based and complementary therapy. High variability between …

Risk Factors Associated With Delayed Secretory Activation In A Cohort Of Nulliparous Women In Western Australia, Cassandra Cuffe, Giglia, Julie Hill, Matthew N. Cooper, Anita M. Moorhead, Joshua R. Lewis, Deborah Ireson, Therese A. O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Delayed secretory activation can negatively impact maternal and child health through increasing the risk of early cessation of breastfeeding. Early cessation of breastfeeding is known to be associated with increased health risks. Aim: To determine the occurrence of, and risk factors associated with, delayed secretory activation in nulliparous women in Western Australia. Methods: This analysis used a subset of participants (n = 183) enrolled in a multicentre trial. Nulliparous low-risk pregnant women were enrolled between 28–32 weeks’ gestation and followed until 1 week after birth. The association between self-reported delayed secretory activation status (onset 4 days or more postpartum) …

The Factors Influencing Organisational Responsiveness For Sustainable Projects, Richard Hughes, Bradley Baker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study investigates how organisations respond to sustainability when it becomes a central strategic priority, particularly through project environments. The research seeks to understand the factors influencing organisational responsiveness to sustainability imperatives in projects, addressing a key gap in sustainable project management literature. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a thematic meta-synthesis of qualitative case studies from multiple countries and different economic sectors. Using grounded theory, data were coded to identify first-order concepts, second-order themes and aggregate dimensions, culminating in the development of a conceptual model of dynamic adaptation. Findings: The analysis revealed three interrelated dimensions that shape organisational responsiveness: strategic …

Beyond Assumptions: What Students Really Think About School Wellbeing Programs, Amanda Madden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The study examined students’ perceptions of effective components in school-based wellbeing programs, addressing a critical gap where adolescent voices are absent. Data was gathered through a questionnaire, individual interviews, and focus groups conducted with 36 Year 12 students across three independent co-educational schools in Western Australia. Thematic analysis identified seven key components essential for effective wellbeing programming: targeted content providing respite from academic pressures, engaging and relatable presenters, strategic timing, developmental appropriateness, meaningful measurement, genuine teacher engagement, and authentic incorporation of student voice. Students valued practical, non-academic content and expressed scepticisms about teacher-delivered programs. Timing emerged as a previously underexplored …

Chronic Disease Prevalence And Modifiable Risk Factors Among Undergraduate Students At Ha’Il University: A Population-Level Cross-Sectional Study, Collins Otieno Asweto, Sehar Un Nisa Hassan, Mohamed Ali Alzain, Bandar Alsaif, Mohammed Elshiekh Saeed, Ahmed Kassar, Kamal Elbssir Mohammed Ali, Mouna Ghorbel, Rafat Zrieq, Monzer Hamed, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Rising rates of chronic conditions among Saudi youth underscore the need for early prevention. Using a public‑health lens focused on demographic, academic, and lifestyle influences, this study investigates the risk and protective factors for chronic disease among students at the University of Ha’il to guide youth‑centered health policies and long‑term wellbeing initiatives. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 10,775 undergraduate students studying in bachelor’s degree programs at Ha’il University, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive analyses were used to assess demographic characteristics, academic status, health status, and health-related lifestyles. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to determine which demographic, academic, and …