An investigation of the influences on children's active free-play

This research examined the influences on children's (6-12 years) active free-play. The findings suggest that there are a number of strategies that focus on individual, social and physical environmental factors that have the potential to be successful in creating opportunities for children to be physically active in their free-time.

Psychological study of consumer novelty seeking and mass media consumption

The thesis integrates theory from psychology and marketing, finding that those with an innate desire to seek out information on new products / brands are motivated to do so by aspects of regulatory focus, needs for uniqueness, and their susceptibility to interpersonal influence. In turn, these people consume more media and have higher information exposure.

Factors influencing the impact of secondary exposure to trauma

The research found significant relationships between secondary exposure to client trauma and symptoms associated with secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma in a sample of community mental health clinicians. The research supports developmental conceptualisations of the relationships between these constructs and burnout, and identifies potential individual vulnerability and protective factors. The portfolio explores the impact of childhood maltreatment from an attachment theory perspective. Four clinical cases are presented illustrating the clinical relevance of the impact of childhood maltreatment and attachment disturbance, and the complexities associated with current attachment classification systems and differential diagnosis.

Subjective Wellbeing as an affective construct

This thesis quantifies the normative characteristics of Subjective Wellbeing amongst Australian high-school age students using the Personal Wellbeing Index adapted for school children. No previous study has undertaken this task. The results confirm the homeostatic model and corroborate previous research suggesting that Subjective Wellbeing is a construct driven primarily by Core Affect.

On the relationship between dissociation and disordered eating

This thesis investigated the psychological processes that underlie the relationship between dissociation and disordered eating. Although previous theories have emphasized that dissociation undermines behavioural self-control and, in turn, contributes to disordered eating, present findings indicate that dissociation may also influence disordered eating via disturbances to one's sense of identity.

Readiness for substance abuse treatment amongst Victorian prisoners

The thesis examined treatment readiness in offender rehabilitation. Findings empirically refuted the notion that treatment readiness occurs in sequential progression through stages. Instead the study offered two treatment readiness models based on concurrent states of thought and behaviour. Furthermore, the treatment readiness models were found to be significantly predicted by offenders' cognitive styles and self-efficacy. The portfolio seeks to demonstrate, through four case studies, how different variables within the three-part ecological framework can either promote or constrain the reintegration process of ex-prisoners and ex-offenders.

Participation, relational justice and social identity in cervical cancer screening

Extending existing health literature by drawing on social and community psychology, this thesis represents the first attempt to explore the conceptualisation of 'participation' in cervical cancer screening. Quantitative and qualitative findings suggested that women's experiences of 'patient participation' and 'voice opportunity' were important and related to various social processes and variables in this health context. Using four case studies, the professional portfolio demonstrates a biopsychosocial approach to assessment and intervention as used by a provisional health psychologist working with clients with intellectual disabilities in order to promote sexual health.

The relationship between primary and secondary control and eating behaviour

Two studies were conducted investigating Australian women's management of their life goals. Although engagement with goals was generally positive for psychological well-being, the propensity to disengage from appearance-related goals was beneficial for body image and protective against disordered eating, suggesting strategies for promoting goal disengagement in women with eating disordered behaviour. The portfolio presents four case studies reviewing empirical research demonstrating the efficacy of adjuvant psychological therapy in relieving psychological distress in cancer patients.

Adults with arthritic conditions and care-seeking in an attachment framework

This thesis investigated the role of care-seeking amongst adults with arthritis, using an attachment framework to help explain the inconsistent results of previous studies in regard to psychological adjustment to a chronic illness. The results highlight the importance of attachment processes in partially influencing care-seeking and coping strategies that shape psychological adjustment. The portfolio addresses the frequent co-occurence of depression with chronic medical disorders. This impacts the ability for chronic, medically ill adults to engage in self-management strategies. Four case studies are presented.

Internet child pornography : an examination of attachment and intimacy deficits

This study found that Internet child pornographers (ICP) reported significantly less optimal attachment than non-offenders, matched child and matched adult sexual offenders. ICP also reported a more negative view of self than non-offenders and the matched sexual offender groups. Finally, the ICP group reported more social avoidance and distress than non-offenders. The portfolio explores the influence of treatment readiness on the best practice principles when working with violent offenders in relation to their assessment, and subsequent treatment recommendations. The importance of treatment readiness and its utility in relation to these principles is highlighted in four case studies.

Body image, media influences, sexual risk, and sexuality in men

This thesis examined the relationships between men's body image, different media influences, sexual orientation, and sexual risk taking. In comparison to heterosexuals, gay men were significantly less satisfied with their bodies. Media influences predicted men's body image, and gay men demonstrated greater internalisation of media messages compared to heterosexual men. Based on four case studies the portfolio demonstrates that motivational interviewing might be a useful approach to manage ambivalence and resistance to clients presenting with an anxiety disorder or a parent-child relational issue.

Coping with unemployment : impact on psychological health

Investigates alternative solutions to promoting psychological health during unemployment. Unemployed people who engage in meaningful leisure activity, who had a pro-active approach to coping, and utilised more social support networks, demonstrated better psychological adjustment. Suggests that such activities may contribute to re-employment.

Psychological factors and the sexuality of pregnant and postpartum women

This longitudinal research found that women reported significant decreases in sexual desire, frequency of intercourse, and sexual satisfaction during pregnancy and at three and six months after childbirth. The psychological factors examined (role quality, relationship satisfaction, fatigue, life satisfaction, and depression) influenced women's changing sexuality over the perinatal period.

Family dynamics and the risks for child maltreatment of stepchildren

The thesis examined systemic factors that placed children in stepfamilies at greater risk of physical abuse and neglect by comparing differences between biological- and step-families on a number of known risk factors. A model describing the pathway of child abuse and neglect for children living in stepfamilies was developed to aid in prevention.The portfolio presents four case studies which demonstrate the impact of disruptions to attachment experiences and the sequelae on psychological functioning and how the associated affect dysregulation may be linked to attachment disruptions.