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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Coping In Australian Volunteer Firefighters, Rebekah Doley, Ryan Bell, Bruce Watt Aug 2016

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Coping In Australian Volunteer Firefighters, Rebekah Doley, Ryan Bell, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

This study examined the relationship between coping style and longterm posttraumatic stress symptoms in an Australian sample of volunteer firefighters 84 months following a bushfire disaster. A total of 277 firefighters completed 4 questionnaires to assess patterns of psychiatric morbidity. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to investigate the effect of time and disorder on coping. Firefighters evidencing distress were more likely to use both problem- and emotion-focused methods of coping. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that problem-focused coping strategies would be used after 84 months. The use of both problem- and emotion-focused coping may be …


Understanding The Employment Barriers And Support Needs Of People Living With Psychosis, Margaret Hampson, Richard Hicks, Bruce Watt Jun 2016

Understanding The Employment Barriers And Support Needs Of People Living With Psychosis, Margaret Hampson, Richard Hicks, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

This study investigated the employment barriers and support needs of people living with psychosis. A purposive community sample of 137 volunteers drawn from six key stakeholder groups were invited to participate in focus groups and semi-structured individual interviews to elicit their perceptions on the employment barriers and support needs of people living with psychosis. The stakeholder groups included in this study were people with lived experience of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, carers, health professionals, employers, employment service providers, and community members. Data obtained from 14 focus groups and 31 semi-structured individual interviews were transcribed, imported into NVivo 10, and coded …


Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Investigating Factors Associated With Distress Among Custodial Grandparent, Rebekah M. Doley, Ryan Bell, Bruce Watt, Hannah Simpson Nov 2015

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Investigating Factors Associated With Distress Among Custodial Grandparent, Rebekah M. Doley, Ryan Bell, Bruce Watt, Hannah Simpson

Bruce Watt

The aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between the psychological health of grandparents raising grandchildren, and those grandchildren’s social, emotional and behavioural issues. The study also assessed the relationship between psychological well-being in grandparents and access to informal social support. The sample comprised 100 grandparents who were raising grandchildren. Regression analyses revealed that grandparents caring for grandchildren with abnormal emotional and hyperactive symptoms scored higher on measures of anxiety, stress, and depression, and were more likely to report less life satisfaction. Grandparents with greater access to informal support experienced less depression, although greater access to informal …


The Role Of Fear Avoidance Beliefs In Return To Work Post-Injury, Bruce Watt, Lucas Ford, Rebekah M. Doley, Sabrina Ong, Katarina Fritzon, Richard Hicks, Tony Cacciola Nov 2015

The Role Of Fear Avoidance Beliefs In Return To Work Post-Injury, Bruce Watt, Lucas Ford, Rebekah M. Doley, Sabrina Ong, Katarina Fritzon, Richard Hicks, Tony Cacciola

Bruce Watt

BACKGROUND: Fear avoidance beliefs have been demonstrated significant predictors of disability and work status post occupational injury and appear particularly important in explaining the transition from acute to chronic disability. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between fear avoidance beliefs, health-related quality of life, and their influence on return to work (RTW) outcomes, including durable RTW, post-occupational injury. METHODS: A total of 1179 questionnaires were posted to clients previously receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the Return to Work Assist program in Queensland, Australia. Participants were asked to indicate their current RTW status in addition to completing questionnaires measuring fear avoidance …


Exploring The Effectiveness Of Motivational Interviewing In Re-Engaging People Diagnosed With Severe Psychiatric Conditions In Work, Study, Or Community Participation, Margaret Hampson, Richard Hicks, Bruce Watt Oct 2015

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Motivational Interviewing In Re-Engaging People Diagnosed With Severe Psychiatric Conditions In Work, Study, Or Community Participation, Margaret Hampson, Richard Hicks, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

Motivational interviewing has been used effectively to promote positive change in a variety of clinical settings. Several authors have suggested that motivational interviewing also be used to improve vocational outcomes among people living with a serious mental health condition. This study investigated the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in improving employment-related outcomes among people living with a persisting mental health condition. Twenty-six volunteers diagnosed with long-term mental health conditions were assigned to two groups: The experimental group received a brief motivational interviewing intervention while control group members were mailed information to assist them to return to paid or unpaid work. Both …


Prevalence And Correlates Of Firesetting Behaviours Among Offending And Non-Offending Youth, Bruce Watt, Kerry Geritz, Tasneem Hasan, Scott Harden, Rebekah Doley Aug 2015

Prevalence And Correlates Of Firesetting Behaviours Among Offending And Non-Offending Youth, Bruce Watt, Kerry Geritz, Tasneem Hasan, Scott Harden, Rebekah Doley

Bruce Watt

Purpose: Adolescents represent a disproportionate number of firesetters relative to their adult counterparts. There is limited understanding, however, in the differing rates of firelighting behaviours between subgroups of youth. Method: Utilizing the recently developed Youth Fire Behaviours and Interests Scale, the differences in firesetting behaviours between adolescents adjudicated as offenders and non-offenders were evaluated. The associations for firesetting behaviours with antisocial behaviours and callous-unemotional traits (CUT) were examined utilizing items from the Antisocial Process Screening Device and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Participants were recruited across south-east Queensland; young offenders on community orders or in a youth detention centre (n …


Responding To The Challenge Of Problem Sexual Behaviour By Young People In Queensland: An Opinion, Scott Harden, Michelle Phillips, Stephen Stathis, Kerry Geritz, Tasneem Hasan, Mike Spiller, Bruce Watt, Angela Allen Aug 2015

Responding To The Challenge Of Problem Sexual Behaviour By Young People In Queensland: An Opinion, Scott Harden, Michelle Phillips, Stephen Stathis, Kerry Geritz, Tasneem Hasan, Mike Spiller, Bruce Watt, Angela Allen

Bruce Watt

There is general agreement that problematic sexual behaviour by young people is more common than was earlier believed and poses significant public health, juvenile justice and mental health difficulties for the community. A growing body of literature around the treatment of young people with inappropriate sexual behaviour has developed in recent decades. However, significant gaps remain as much of the literature is focused at the individual program level. As professionals in our jurisdiction of Queensland working in child and youth forensic mental health services, we have long been frustrated by the lack of a comprehensive, appropriately layered system of assessment …


Investigating The Relationship Between Social Support And Durable Return To Work, Bruce Watt, Lucas Ford, Rebekah Doley, Sabrina Ong, Richard Hicks, Katarina Fritzon, Tony Cacciola May 2015

Investigating The Relationship Between Social Support And Durable Return To Work, Bruce Watt, Lucas Ford, Rebekah Doley, Sabrina Ong, Richard Hicks, Katarina Fritzon, Tony Cacciola

Bruce Watt

The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between social support and durable return to work (RTW) post occupational injury. A total of 1,179 questionnaires were posted to clients previously receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the Return to Work Assist program in Queensland, Australia. Participants were asked to indicate their current RTW status, in addition to completing questionnaires measuring their relationship with their superior, relationships with colleagues, and social support external to the workplace. The statistical analysis included 110 participants. An ANOVA indicated that participants in the RTW group reported significantly better relationships with their superiors and …


Enhancing Treatment Participation In Camhs Among Families Of Conduct Problem Children: Effectiveness Study Of A Clinician Training Programme, Bruce Watt, Mark Dadds, Denisse Best, Catherine Daviess Apr 2013

Enhancing Treatment Participation In Camhs Among Families Of Conduct Problem Children: Effectiveness Study Of A Clinician Training Programme, Bruce Watt, Mark Dadds, Denisse Best, Catherine Daviess

Bruce Watt

Background: The effectiveness of a training programme targeting structural and therapy process strategies to enhance treatment attendance among families of conduct problem children was evaluated across three community mental health clinics. Method: Utilising a staggered multiple-baseline design, referrals prior to clinician training were compared to posttraining referrals (N=221). Results: In comparison to service as usual, children and their families referred after the training initiative had significantly higher treatment attendance (66% vs. 83%) and 79% less likelihood of attrition, though findings were mixed for child's mental health. Conclusions: The findings provide initial support for the effectiveness of the clinician training programme …


Axis I Mental Health Disorders And Sexual Offending, Bruce Watt, Tania Withington May 2012

Axis I Mental Health Disorders And Sexual Offending, Bruce Watt, Tania Withington

Bruce Watt

Extract:Popular culture touts mental illness as the primary explanation for the behaviors of identified sex offenders. Research with incarcerated sex offenders, forensic mental health patients, and sex offenders referred to treatment identify elevated rates of Axis I mental disorders; anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders, and psychotic illness (Dunseith et al. 2004). Epidemiology research with psychiatric patients has identified elevated rates of sex offending compared to community controls (Fazel, Sjostedt, Langstrom, & Grann, 2007). Importantly, the association between Axis I mental disorders and sex offending appears most evident in the presence of comorbid alcohol and substance related disorders (Alden, Brennan, Hodgins, & …


You Have To Hit Some People! Measurement And Criminogenic Nature Of Violent Sentiments In Australia, Sally Kelty, Guy Hall, Bruce Watt Mar 2012

You Have To Hit Some People! Measurement And Criminogenic Nature Of Violent Sentiments In Australia, Sally Kelty, Guy Hall, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

Criminal sentiments are the highest risk factor for recidivism. Although criminal sentiments have been reliably measured, there are few scales measuring violent sentiments. The aim of this study was to report on three studies exploring the theory and psychometrics of a new Justification for Violence Scale (JFV). The JFV items have high ecological validity in that they were drawn from in-depth interviews with violent men. Psychometric analysis showed that the JFV was unifactorial with high criterion-related validity differentiating three distinct groups (sample N = 530): male offenders, men and women from the community, and university undergraduates. In a further study …


Assessment Of Firesetters, Rebekah Doley, Bruce Watt Mar 2012

Assessment Of Firesetters, Rebekah Doley, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

Extract This chapter will equip readers with the information required to screen and assess arsonists effectively using a number of modalities. The appropriate tools are presented and discussed, along with the evidence base underlying them. The focus of the discussion is on risk assessment, recidivism and dangerousness. In particular, these issues are discussed with reference to mental health and psychiatric patients as arsonists. The terms ’arson’ and ’firesetting’ will be used interchangeably throughout this chapter; the term ‘arson’ is commonly acknowledged to have a legal definition, while firesetting describes the behaviour itself.


Explaining Individual Differences In Physical Aggression Among A Community Sample, Erica Begelhole, Nicole Guse, Bruce Watt Mar 2012

Explaining Individual Differences In Physical Aggression Among A Community Sample, Erica Begelhole, Nicole Guse, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

Violence poses an ongoing concern for society. Numerous risk factors have been implicated as contributors to individual differences in levels of physical aggression. The current study examined variations in physical aggression using a community sample in South East Queensland (N = 151). Selfreport measures of alcohol misuse, retrospective conduct disorder, emotional control, violent fantasies and attitudes to violence were examined in the prediction of involvement in physical aggression. Over half of the variance was accounted for by the combination of the independent variables. Attitudes to violence emerged as the greatest contributor in explaining individual differences in physical aggression. The findings …


Predicting Individual Differences In Future Violence Among Juvenile Offenders, Bruce Watt, Michelle Perrin Mar 2012

Predicting Individual Differences In Future Violence Among Juvenile Offenders, Bruce Watt, Michelle Perrin

Bruce Watt

Screening tools in forensic and mental health settings are utilised to assess individual differences in risk for future violence. The Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service Violence Screening Tool (CYFOS VST) was developed for use with juveniles referred to mental health and juvenile justice settings. The reliability and validity of the VST was evaluated based on 222 consecutive referrals to a Youth Justice Service in South East Queensland. Data on future violence was obtained from official Youth Justice Service records as well as case workers recorded observations of youth violence. The VST was found to have adequate inter-rater and test-retest …


The Virus Of Violence: The Relationship Between Victimisation And Aggression, Bruce Watt, Mattias Allard Mar 2012

The Virus Of Violence: The Relationship Between Victimisation And Aggression, Bruce Watt, Mattias Allard

Bruce Watt

Experiments for the relationship between victimisation and violence often do not include any mediation variables to account for the difference between victimised individuals that become violent in adulthood and those that do not. A model was proposed, using a Gold Coast community sample of 250 individuals (79 males, 138 females, 33 unspecified) with a median age range 41-45 years, that violent thoughts (measured as violent fantasies and permissive attitudes towards violence) mediate the relationship between victimisation (measured retrospectively) and aggression. The study consisted of distal factors (victimisation and gender), proximal factors (permissive attitudes towards violence and violent fantasies) and an …


The Validation Of A Screening Tool For The Assessment Of Violence Risk Among Juvenile Offenders, Michelle Perrin, Bruce Watt, Tasneem Hasan Mar 2012

The Validation Of A Screening Tool For The Assessment Of Violence Risk Among Juvenile Offenders, Michelle Perrin, Bruce Watt, Tasneem Hasan

Bruce Watt

Screening tools in forensic mental health settings are utilised to assess individual differences in risk for future violence. The Child and Youth Forensic Outreach Service Violence Screening Tool (CVST) was developed for use with juveniles referred to mental health and juvenile justice settings. The reliability and validity of the CVST evaluated based on 156 consecutive referrals to a Youth Justice Service in South East Queensland. Data on future violence was obtained from official Youth Justice Service records as well as caseworker observations of youth violence. The CVST was found to have adequate inter-rater and test-retest reliability. Importantly, the CVST significantly …


The Virus Of Violence, Mattias Allard, Bruce Watt Mar 2012

The Virus Of Violence, Mattias Allard, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

Models explaining the relationship between victimisation and violence typically fail to include any mediation variables to account for the difference between victimised individuals that become violent in adulthood and those that don’t. A model was proposed, using a Gold Coast community sample of 250 individuals (79 males, 138 females, 33 no answer) with a median age 41-45, that violent thoughts (measured as violent fantasies and permissive attitudes towards violence) mediate the relationship between victimisation (measured retrospectively) and aggression. The study controlled for gender and social desirability bias. The model consisted of a distal stage (victimisation and gender), proximal stage (permissive …


Treatment Participation Among Children With Conduct Problems And The Role Of Telephone Reminders, Bruce Watt, Margaret Hoyland, Denisse Best, Mark Dadds Jul 2007

Treatment Participation Among Children With Conduct Problems And The Role Of Telephone Reminders, Bruce Watt, Margaret Hoyland, Denisse Best, Mark Dadds

Bruce Watt

Children with antisocial, aggressive and disruptive behaviour problems are among the most frequent referrals to mental health services. These young people and their families present with a range of adverse contextual factors and can prove challenging to engage. We examined the characteristics of children with conduct problems, treatment participation, and the impact of telephone reminder calls. Consecutive referrals (N=262) to two child and youth mental health services were randomly assigned to either a reminder call condition or service as usual. In comparison to referrals without conduct problems, conduct problem children presented with greater sources of psychosocial adversity, attended fewer initial …


Juvenile Recidivism: Criminal Propensity, Social Control And Social Learning Theories, Bruce Watt, Kevin Howells, Paul Delfabbro Feb 2004

Juvenile Recidivism: Criminal Propensity, Social Control And Social Learning Theories, Bruce Watt, Kevin Howells, Paul Delfabbro

Bruce Watt

Juvenile delinquency is a common precursor to persistent and serious criminal behavior in adulthood. However, many young offenders will cease offending by early adulthood. Identification of the causal factors that contribute to persistence and relinquishment in offending behavior is essential for reducing future criminality. Risk assessment research with juvenile offenders identifies a range of significant individual and contextual factors that predict future delinquency. However, much of the research has been conducted without clear theoretical direction. Theoretical bases for risk prediction are essential in the development of effective assessment processes that accurately guide interventions with young offenders. This article reviews previous …


Factor Structure Of The Spielberger Anger Expression Scales When Used With Australian Prisoners, Greg Dear, Bruce Watt, John Dockerill Dec 2002

Factor Structure Of The Spielberger Anger Expression Scales When Used With Australian Prisoners, Greg Dear, Bruce Watt, John Dockerill

Bruce Watt

The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory administered to prison inmates has supported the factor structure of the three anger expression scales although this structure has not been verified with Australian participants. Data collected from 397 Western Australian male prisoners produced a factor structure consistent with the scale structure outlined in the 1991 manual. Scale means and standard deviations were similar to those reported for the U.S. and Canadian prisoners. It is therefore appropriate to use the standard scoring procedures with Australian male prisoners.

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