Belonging, connectedness and social exclusion

Promoting connectedness and/or a sense of belonging are strategies used in addressing social exclusion. While belonging and connectedness are often used interchangeably, this paper demonstrates that while they may be co-existent, it is equally possible to have one without the other. Hence, this paper contends that these two concepts need to be carefully distinguished by those planning and delivering social work services. Furthermore, consideration of both connectedness and belonging enables a more nuanced understanding of social exclusion which challenges the assumption that inclusion and exclusion are binary opposites, and that it is possible to be both included and excluded at the same time.

Body image, drive for muscularity, and social comparisons in men

The results of this thesis indicated that males engage in comparisons when evaluating their bodies and more frequently use similar others, such as friends and the average male for comparison. The results showed that comparisons to males in the media and professional athletes indicated body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity.The portfolio presents four eating disorder case studies to illustrate how a therapist can use manual-based CBT techniques in a flexible manner and adapt interventions to the individual needs of clients who have motivational issues or present with complex comorbidity, in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Building professional capital : New Zealand social workers and continuing education

In a qualitative study of the engagement of New Zealand social workers in continuing professional education the construct "professional capital", a form of symbolic capital, explains complex links between perceived status within institutional settings and the aspirations of practitioners. Strategies for developing greater engagement in scholarship and research are recommended.

Perseveration in ASD; the role of negative feedback and social interaction

This thesis tested several explanations for the underlying mechanisms of perseveration in populations with ASD. Explanations considered the role of executive dysfunction with particular emphasis on negative feedback, social interaction, and variations in autistic symptomology. The thesis found that negative feedback had the most infiuence on perseveration in ASD populations.

Transnational yoga and western identities : culture, health and spirituality

The thesis examines the varied interpretations of Yoga within the context of contemporary Western cultures and lifestyles. Using the work of sociological theorists- namely Bourdieu - and a qualitative research design, the thesis explores modern Yoga practices as they are interpreted by practitioners, teachers and within the fluid nature of social practices.

Relationship between cognition, achievement,and social competence in children

Children who struggle to learn at school typically have poorer social competence. This thesis showed that poor language skills also negatively impacts on social competence. Furthermore, cognitive abilities such as attention and memory were shown to disrupt children’s ability to learn, which in turn is related to poor social competence

Terrorism and social exclusion : misplaced risk - common security

Recent thinking on globalization places risk at the centre of contemporary life. Yet what if our perception of risk is misplaced? What if the greatest risk is not terrorism itself but the conditions that allow terrorism to flourish? This fascinating book illustrates that elevated perceptions of terrorism-related risks are having a deleterious impact on many societies, exacerbating feelings of exclusion among individuals and groups. Via their exploration of various societies, the expert contributors show that as a causal factor of terrorism, social exclusion can be remedied by inclusive, participatory and deliberative measures. They prescribe a recalibration of counter-terrorism policies to unite rather than divide multicultural societies.

General practice : contribution to health and equity

The evidence that a primary health approach enhances health outcomes, increases system effectiveness and is cost effective gives a new impetus for general practice within the continuum of health services. At the same time, in Australia the establishment of the Divisions of General Practice and their continued support has led to a new found confidence in general practice.

Inequalities in cardiovascular disease mortality : the role of behavioural, physiological and social risk factors

Background While the relationship between socio-economic disadvantage and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established, the role that traditional cardiovascular risk factors play in this association remains unclear. The authors examined the association between education attainment and CVD mortality and the extent to which behavioural, social and physiological factors explained this relationship.

Methods Adults (n=38 355) aged 40–69 years living in Melbourne, Australia were recruited in 1990–1994. Subjects with baseline CVD risk factor data ascertained through questionnaire and physical measurement were followed for an average of 9.4 years with CVD deaths verified by review of medical records and autopsy reports.

Results CVD mortality was higher for those with primary education only, compared with those who had completed tertiary education, with an HR of 1.66 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.49) after adjustment for age, country of birth and gender. Those from the lowest educated group had a more adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile compared with the highest educated group, and adjustment for these risk factors reduced the HR to 1.18 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.77). In analysis of individual risk factors, smoking and waist circumference explained most of the difference in CVD mortality between the highest and lowest education groups.

Conclusions Most of the excess CVD mortality in lower socio-economic groups can be explained by known risk factors, particularly smoking and overweight. While targeting cardiovascular risk factors should not divert efforts from addressing the underlying determinants of health inequalities, it is essential that known risk factors are addressed effectively among lower socio-economic groups.

Disability and disability services

This chapter provides a profile of people who are at various points on this disability continuum, but with an emphasis on those facing more severe limitations. Information is presented on both mainstream and sector-specific service use, and the outcomes associated with the use of these services. The focus in this chapter is on people aged under 65 years.

Australia's health 2006 : the tenth biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

The report shows that Australians generally have good health and are privileged to have a range of health care services available to them. There are stark exceptions to this that can be confronting—even if well-known already—notably the generally much poorer health status of Indigenous Australians.

Health care service provider and funding arrangements are both increasingly complex and increasingly costly to both individuals and taxpayers. A continuing challenge is how to balance both the complementary and competitive perspectives of government and non-government agencies, professional groups, and small businesses. Overall, national expenditure on health was 9.7% of GDP in 2003–04; and average health expenditure per person has grown by an average 3.8% each year between 1997–98 to 2002–03. Expenditure on aids and appliances, health research and pharmaceuticals contributed more to this growth than other areas.

While the ageing of the population is having a significant impact on the number and type of health care services delivered, high quality services for children continue to be a priority. Australia’s health 2006 has a special chapter focusing on children and their health. The chapter highlights the fact that while our children are generally very healthy, there are concerns that their ongoing health could be affected by more and more of them becoming overweight or obese. Levels of diabetes are now rising among our children and it is a continuing concern that asthma and mental health problems affect so many of them.

Australia's health 2004 : the ninth biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Australia's Health 2004 is the ninth biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It is the nation's authoritative source of information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services, and health services expenditure. The report also includes a special chapter on the health of older Australians. Australia's Health 2004 is an essential reference and information resource for all Australians with an interest in health.

Australia's health 2002 : the eighth biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Australia's Health 2002 is the eighth biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It is the nation's authoritative source of information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services, and health service costs and performance. Australia's Health 2002 is an essential reference and information resource for all Australians with an interest in health.

Australia's health 2000 : the seventh biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Australia's Health 2000 is the seventh biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It is the nation's authoritative source of information on patterns of health and illness, determinants of health, the supply and use of health services, and health services costs and performance.This 2000 edition serves as a summary of Australia's health record at the end of the twentieth century. In addition, a special chapter is presented on changes in Australia's disease profile over the last 100 years.Australia's Health 2000 is an essential reference and information source for all Australians with an interest in health.