Professionals' attributions and referral decisions in cases of domestic violence

This thesis is the first national study of workers who have contact with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. It highlights that the victim and perpetrator's gender, as well as the relevant professional's agency type and experience, all influenced their attitudes to, and service delivery decisions with, domestic violence-related clients. The portfolio utilises four case studies to examine the way that two Victorian sex offender programs attempt to balance risk-need and good lives principles in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders.

Identification and characterisation of novel compound(s) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

The thesis shows that a plant extract favourably affects glucose utilisation and production in vitro, and identifies genes/biological pathways involved in its actions. The extract underwent fractionation and screening for effects observed. Chemical studies of active fractions led to the isolation of a compound shown to have potential anti-diabetic properties.

The neuroanatomical correlates of subjective wellbeing following head injury

The thesis found results supporting the involvement of the Right Frontal area of the brain in the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of individuals. Additional results suggested SWB is dependent upon Core Affect, itself dependent upon the Right Parietal area of the brain. These results provide evidence that SWB and Core Affect are based upon a neurological substrate. The portfolio investigated the association between chronic medical conditions and anxiety disorders, and how the occurence of anxiety issues can affect overall psychological adjustment to illness.

Food habits of Hong Kong adolescents and their families

Findings from this research indicate that parents' eating habits and school food policy did not exert a positive influence on students' food choices. Only very few principals believed education influenced eating habits, and there were discrepancies between the attitudes and expections of parents and principals.

Extending double standards and stereotyping approaches to hiring older workers

This thesis examined factors underlying discrimination against older job applicants. Drawing upon stereotyping and double standards-based approaches to discrimination the thesis found that positive and negative aspects of the older worker stereotype can have cumulative effects on hiring decisions and may interact with job requirements to affect discrimination.

Chronic heart failure programs : does more equal less? (BENCH study)

The national multi-centre study (49 programs, 1158 patients) developed a quality score (HF-IS) and the national benchmarks for heart programs. The higher a program scored on the HF-IS the greater the reduction in hospital admissions and mortality. This score has the potential to change national nursing practice and improve health outcomes of patients.

Interactive effects of exercise plus calcium-vitamin D3 on bone strength in older men

The findings from this 18-month, community-based study revealed that an exercise program involving strength training and jumping activities was feasible and effective for improving bone density, muscle mass and strength in older men. There were no additional skeletal benefits derived from consuming a high calcium-vitamin D milk drink.

Hypertrophic signalling in human skeletal muscle

Ý-lactoglobulin enriched whey protein isolate, but not carbohydrate, increased growth signalling in human skeletal muscle when consumed in conjunction with resistance exercise. Ageing did not impair the anabolic signalling response; however this response was attenuated after training. These findings help identify strategies to prevent, or delay the onset of sarcopenia.

A hypothesised model of disordered eating in overweight women

This thesis found that predicted risk factors for disordered eating were similar for overweight and non-overweight women. However, overweight women reported more stigmatisation and body shame, had a higher risk for developing an eating disorder, and were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a subclinical/clinical eating disorder than non-overweight women. The portfolio presents four case studies demonstrating the considerations and challenges of psychologically assessing and treating individuals with chronic health conditions.

Disentangling the layering of HIV/AIDS-related stigma

This thesis highlights the complexity of the inter-relationships between the disease stigma of HIV/AIDS and common modes of HIV transmission, such as injecting drug use, among health professionals in Asia. New ways of deconstructing disease-related stigma were explored. The findings pose challenges for the conventional approaches to HIV/AIDS stigma intervention.

Effects of physical activity on depression and anxiety in children

This thesis study examined the direct and indirect effects of physical activity, self-efficacy and peer relations in depression and anxiety in children. No direct relationships between physical activity and symptoms of depression or anxiety were found for either sex. The portfolio, using four clinical health psychology case studies, provides an illustration of the clinical application of the transtheoretical model to four different health issues.

Auditory localisation reversals and the role of torso-related cues

Human auditory localisation reversals are explored using mixture distribution analysis techniques. This is validated for front/back reversals and subsequently shown to provide evidence for up/down reversals as distinct classes of mis-localisation. Torso-related localisation cues are identified and also shown to provide a source for resolving these reversals in some listeners.

The role of alcohol consumption in recovering drug users

This thesis found that alcohol consumption by illicit drig users has not been well researched. A qualitative study found alcohol was used as a substitute and believed to be related to illicit substance use. While the quantitative study generated no overall consensus, the research highlighted the need to conduct additional studies into substance abuse. The portfolio explored the relationship between maltreatment and the development of Reactive Attachment Disorder through four case studies of child clients.

Subjective well-being

This thesis challenges the orthodox view in the quality of life field by demonstrating, using different methodologies across multiple samples, that subjective judgments of life satisfaction are determined by an individual's affective style, rather than cognition or personality. This suggests that subjective wellbeing is a function of our Core Affect.

Readiness to change a problem behaviour : a conceptual framework

The thesis study aims to develop a model of readiness to enter treatment to change problem behaviour by addressing the limitations of previous models. The research shows that a model consisting of personal and social factors, mediated by problem recognition and desire for help accurately assesses readiness to enter treatment. The portfolio examines the broad framework of the Multifactor Offender Readiness Model (MORM) which assesses an offender's readiness to engage in treatment. Four case studies are presented.