Showing papers in "Australian Psychologist in 2011"
TL;DR: This article provided percentile norms for a series of self-report mood scales, including self-reported mood scales with very limited normative data, and used them to improve the quality of the data.
Abstract: Despite their widespread use, many self‐report mood scales have very limited normative data. To rectify this, Crawford et al. have recently provided percentile norms for a series of self‐report sca...
370 citations
TL;DR: Recommendations on how to enhance supervision practice are described, which include systematic assessment of supervisee competence and client outcome and options for reconciling the normative function of supervision with the other functions.
Abstract: Supervision of professional practice is mandated in the training of clinical psychologists and consensually agreed to be central in such training. Supervision is intended to serve three related, but somewhat conflicting, functions: (1) normative functions of monitoring and ensuring client well-being, and monitoring and evaluating supervisee competence; (2), restorative functions of supporting supervisee personal and professional well-being; and (3) formative functions of educating and guiding supervisee's professional practice. Research suggests supervision as currently practised can achieve the restorative-and to some extent, the formative-functions of supervision. However, current supervision practice has not been demonstrated to be effective in its normative functions. Recommendations on how to enhance supervision practice are described, which include systematic assessment of supervisee competence and client outcome and options for reconciling the normative function of supervision with the other functions.
102 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the merits of individual anti-prejudice mechanisms within the Australian context, and conclude that effective interventions need to utilise multiple mechanisms, while some mechanisms are likely to be useful regardless of location, others need to be tailored to the local context.
Abstract: There is a pressing need to address prejudice, racism, and discrimination against marginalised groups in Australia. This involves change from the structural to the individual level. In this article, we discuss the merits of individual anti-prejudice mechanisms within the Australian context. First, we expand on nine mechanisms described in a previous paper and then review five new mechanisms. We conclude that while some mechanisms are likely to be useful regardless of location, others need to be tailored to the local context. We also conclude that effective interventions need to utilise multiple mechanisms. It is hoped that the synthesis of the different mechanisms provided here will assist anti-prejudice researchers, practitioners, and policymakers striving to improve relations among different groups in our society.
84 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that while many students are happy with the training received, there are also many areas open to significant improvement both in the teaching and assessment of clinical skills and course content more generally.
Abstract: The aim of the study described was to capture student experiences in postgraduate clinical programmes across Australian universities. The data collected from the Directors of clinical programmes was used to further illustrate the training practices and constraints within the current Australian context. The data were collected through two survey instruments and were analysed by deriving themes via Leximancer as well as quantitative content analysis of percentage response to direct questions. The results indicate that while many students are happy with the training received, there are also many areas open to significant improvement both in the teaching and assessment of clinical skills and course content more generally. Students overwhelmingly prefer practical, interactive, and competency-based teaching and assessment to didactic, written and exam-based alternatives that are still used in most programmes. The responses from programme Directors further illustrate the concerns currently faced by clinical staff engaged in training programmes, with insufficient training places available in the community, fewer clients accessing training clinics, and concerns related to adequate supervision and the competency of students exited from programmes. The findings are discussed in light of limitations to the study and suggestions for future research directions.
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the factor structure of the FMPS using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), addressing previous methodological limitations and found that the proposed model provided a superior fit for this university student population.
Abstract: The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) is a widely used measure of perfectionism. Previous studies of the nature of the factors of the FMPS have resulted in mixed findings and have failed to identify a stable factor structure. This study investigated the factor structure of the FMPS using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), addressing previous methodological limitations. Participants were 6,449 students from two Australian universities. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a five-factor model and a reduction in variables from 35 to 29 (FMPS-29). CFA demonstrated goodness of fit of the revised measure. We also compared our model with a number of existing measurement models of perfection and found the proposed model provided a superior fit for this university student population. Support was found for the two second-order constructs commonly referred to as adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, although there appears to be little benefit in using this model over the first-order model. Implications of the findings are discussed.
39 citations
TL;DR: Several models of clinical competencies are put forward, along with a method of assessing such competencies within an Australian context, and results showed that direct competency assessment was less commonly used than expected from the stated accreditation standards.
Abstract: Debates over models of professional training have occurred in several health disciplines, including psychology. Currently, clinical competencies form the backbone of training in clinical psychology and in standards for the accreditation of such training programs, with sample domains including ethical and legal issues, assessment, intervention, and experience with a diversity of clients across cultures and the lifespan. We review a range of models for clinical competencies that have been put forth in the international literature and report on results of a survey of students undertaking clinical training as to the methods of assessment used in their training programs. Results showed that direct competency assessment was less commonly used than expected from the stated accreditation standards. One factor behind the results may be that ways to assess such competencies remain elusive. In this article, several models of clinical competencies are put forward, along with a method of assessing such competencies within an Australian context.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the role of parenting programs as a strategy to prevent child maltreatment in the population as a whole and also as a targeted intervention for parents who have abused, or are at risk of abusing, their children is examined.
Abstract: Child maltreatment is a major worldwide concern and continuing high rates of abuse demand action. This article examines the role of parenting programmes as a strategy to prevent child maltreatment in the population as a whole and also as a targeted intervention for parents who have abused, or are at risk of abusing, their children. We argue that a blend of universal and targeted interventions is needed to reduce the prevalence of child maltreatment. Parenting interventions that concurrently target positive parenting and effective child management skills, dysfunctional parental attributions, and increasing parents' capacity to regulate their emotions are particularly useful. A variant of the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program, known as Pathways Triple P, is discussed to illustrate the value of this approach. Contextual factors that need to be addressed in working with child protection cases are also discussed. The role of training and supervision is discussed in the context of disseminating evidence-based parenting programmes, and future directions for research are presented.
32 citations
TL;DR: In response to disastrous fires in 1967 and 1983, a national community bushfire safety policy emerged, summarised as "prepare, stow, and wait" as mentioned in this paper, which was defined as "preparation, stowing, and waiting".
Abstract: From 1900 to 2008, bushfires in Australia claimed 552 lives. Partly in response to disastrous fires in 1967 and 1983, a national community bushfire safety policy emerged, summarised as “prepare, st...
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a semi-structured phone interview was designed for use with clinical psychology training directors, or equivalent, in Australia and New Zealand, to gather data on the training and assessment of CBT.
Abstract: Surveys of clinical psychologists' self-reports of professional practice exist in Australia and New Zealand, but comparatively little data exist on the training available in universities. The present study was designed to gather data on the training and assessment of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT). A semi-structured phone interview was designed for use with clinical psychology training directors, or equivalent, in Australia and New Zealand. Out of a total of 48 universities in the region, 40 clinical directors were successfully contacted: One declined involvement, and 39 agreed to participate, yielding a response rate of 81% (six in New Zealand and 33 in Australia). The data showed that it is common for clinical training programmes in our region to provide clinical trainees with foundational knowledge in CBT (i.e., 29 of the 39 surveyed). However, CBT is mainly incorporated into the auspices of clinical training programmes, there is a wide range of assessment methods to evaluate competence in providing therapy, and relatively few academic units exist that focus exclusively on CBT.
24 citations
TL;DR: The competency areas of assessment and intervention have received enough investigation to support the development of competency‐based training options, but clinical supervision lags behind, largely due to the extremely limited evidence base on how psychologists develop supervisory skills.
Abstract: Professional psychologists in Canada are required to demonstrate several core competencies in order to obtain licensure. Upcoming modifications to national accreditation criteria for professional p...
24 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that mental health settings are likely to benefit from routine inclusion of specialist neuropsychology services, and future research should also examine client and family perceptions regarding the satisfaction and usefulness of neuropsychological services.
Abstract: Despite frequent informal or anecdotal acknowledgement of the usefulness of neuropsychological services within various settings, including mental health settings, few studies have formally investig...
TL;DR: For instance, this paper assessed the validity of a scale measuring psychologists' attitudes towards complementary and alternative therapies and compared the attitudes of psychologists with a previous sample of psychology students, finding that psychologists expressed more concern for risks associated with integration and were less likely to hold a positive attitude towards integration.
Abstract: This study assessed the validity of a scale measuring psychologists' attitudes towards complementary and alternative therapies and compared the attitudes of psychologists with a previous sample of psychology students. The scale, derived from existing measures for medical professionals and previously tested on a sample of psychology students, was completed by practising psychologists (N = 122). The data were factor analysed, and three correlated subscales were identified, assessing the perceived importance of knowledge about available therapies, attitudes towards integration with psychological practice, and concerns about associated risks of use. This structure was similar, but not identical, to that found in a previous sample of psychology students; however, psychologists expressed more concern for risks associated with integration and were less likely to hold a positive attitude towards integration. This scale will be useful in gauging changes in psychologists' attitudes towards integrative practice over time.
TL;DR: To identify the most efficient ways to teach and learn the professional competencies required in clinical psychology, systematic literature searches and a narrative literature review were undertaken to identify teaching methods.
Abstract: This article aims to identify the most efficient ways to teach and learn the professional competencies required in clinical psychology. There are a wide variety of influences on clinical psychology curricula that leads to a lack of coherence in aims and methods. When clinical psychology trainees come face-to-face with their first client, they are challenged to integrate their existing declarative knowledge and apply nascent procedural skills. How can clinical programmes better prepare students for these challenges? Because problem-based learning has been widely applied in medical education it is the starting point in answering this question. Systematic literature searches and a narrative literature review were undertaken to identify teaching methods. Little published research reports randomised controlled evaluations of teaching methods in health professions. Much literature presented opinions about teaching methods. Whole-of-programme evaluations of problem-based learning in medical education were retrieved and directed learning or direct instruction techniques were examined in teaching more specific knowledge. Little research was of direct relevance to clinical psychology training. More research is needed into both the efficacy of clinical psychology training and into the specific barriers that trainee clinical psychologists face. In the absence of good quality research, suggestions for teaching methods are provided.
TL;DR: There has been an ongoing debate about the content and purpose of undergraduate education in psychology in New Zealand and Australia as mentioned in this paper, specifically about the balance between theory and practice, and the role of theory in practice.
Abstract: There has been an ongoing debate about the content and purpose of undergraduate education in psychology in New Zealand and Australia, specifically about the balance between theory and practice, des...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors outline issues of consideration in the development and implementation of such a training programme and outline an online etherapy training programme developed by Swinburne University's National eTherapy Centre.
Abstract: Information and communication technologies are increasingly being used to remotely deliver psychological services. This delivery method confers clear advantages to both client and therapist, including the accessibility of services by otherwise unserved populations and cost-effective treatment. Remote services can be delivered in a real-time or delayed manner, providing clients with a wealth of therapy options not previously available. The proliferation of these services has outstripped the development and implementation of all but the most rudimentary of regulatory frameworks, potentially exposing clients to substandard psychological services. Integrating mandatory training on the delivery of online psychological services into accredited postgraduate psychology courses would aid in addressing this issue. The purpose of this article is to outline issues of consideration in the development and implementation of such a training programme. An online etherapy training programme developed by Swinburne University's National eTherapy Centre will be used as an example throughout.
TL;DR: It was concluded that respite care needs to move away from a custodial model to a more psychological model of care, and that more natural and flexible models (e.g., host family respite), integrated with increased post‐respite support and psychosocial education, are likely to be beneficial and need further evaluation.
Abstract: Australian health professional bodies promote the use of respite to ease carer burden, following well-established findings that carers often face physical, mental, social, and financial strain while providing informal care. This narrative review examined the use and impacts of respite for older clients, with a particular focus on Australian research and on dementia respite. It was found that despite reports of high satisfaction from caregivers with respite use, barriers, such as caregiver concerns for the well-being and safety of the care recipient during respite, limited flexibility for short-notice respite booking, and low provision of support and education post respite, impacted on the accessibility and efficacy of respite care. It was concluded that respite care needs to move away from a custodial model to a more psychological model of care, and that more natural and flexible models (e.g., host family respite), integrated with increased post-respite support and psychosocial education, are likely to be beneficial and need further evaluation.
TL;DR: This review shows midlife smokers differ from younger smokers in important ways: they underestimate the costs of smoking and overestimate the benefits, and are less confident in their ability to quit.
Abstract: Midlife smoking continues to be a problem in Australia, with substantial personal, social, and financial costs. Yet the specific characteristics and needs of this group have been largely overlooked...
TL;DR: The earliest characterisation of Australian sex offenders subjected to post-sentence legislation is presented in this paper, where Demographic, developmental, clinical, and criminal characteristics were obtained for the offenders.
Abstract: The earliest characterisation of Australian sex offenders subjected to post‐sentence legislation is presented Demographic, developmental, clinical, and criminal characteristics were obtained for s
TL;DR: This article investigated whether the better performance of Chinese in digit memory span tasks was due only to the shorter pronunciation duration of Chinese digit names, or to enhanced visuospati cation.
Abstract: This study investigated whether the better performance of the Chinese in digit memory span tasks was due only to the shorter pronunciation duration of Chinese digit names, or to enhanced visuospati...
TL;DR: The potential adverse effects of exposure to domestic violence on children is increasing in the Western world However, in Australian family law, there remain challenges in centrali as mentioned in this paper, however, there remains challenges in Australia family law.
Abstract: Understanding the potentially adverse effects of exposure to domestic violence on children is increasing in the Western world However, in Australian family law, there remain challenges in centrali
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the development of assessment tools for the evaluation of competencies in professional psychology and use them to guide training and assure public safety by focusing educators and clinical supervisors on our gatekeeping functions as well as on our aspirational desire to turn out the best possible professional psychologists.
Abstract: Professional psychology training in the US is moving toward a competency based model rather than the traditional exposure to training opportunities model. The competencies perspective in education of professional psychologists has strengths in refocusing the evaluation of training on outcomes rather than on arbitrary, traditional processes. A challenge is the development of assessment tools for the evaluation of competencies in professional psychology. Using the competencies approach can help to guide training in professional psychology and help assure public safety by focusing educators and clinical supervisors on our gatekeeping functions as well as on our aspirational desire to turn out the best possible professional psychologists.
TL;DR: This paper conducted a survey of 35 clinical psychology programs in Australia and provided discussion of the central issues raised by consideration of such a policy, including the individual's right to pursue their vocation of interest and the rights of others with whom that person comes in contact.
Abstract: Assessment of Fitness to Practice (FTP) within clinical psychology training programmes requires balancing the individual's right to pursue their vocation of interest and the rights of others with whom that person comes in contact. The past decade has seen international growth in policies related to formal FTP assessment built into tertiary health care training programmes leading to professional qualifications. Australian clinical psychology training programs are part of this movement; several programmes have such policies in place, and others are constructing them or considering adopting them, but opinions on the matter vary. We draw data on FTP policies from a survey of 35 clinical psychology programmes in Australia and provide discussion of the central issues raised by consideration of such a policy. Both clinical directors and clinical student trainees identified students who persist in wanting to pursue training despite grave difficulties coping with the non-academic aspects of learning to effectively treat clients as a major concern. There is a need for discussion and debate about FTP policies within the profession in order to determine the best way to move forward in this area.
TL;DR: Surveys of clinical students and training directors at regional universities across Australia show little difference in the perceived quality of training on several indices, with differences limited to the use of staff clinical research.
Abstract: Training in clinical psychology in Australia has become increasingly popular after coverage for psychological services under national Medicare was introduced. All regional universities in Australia offer clinical psychology training at the master's level, but little is known about how such training at these universities compares with training in larger, urban universities. Here, we report on results of surveys of clinical students and training directors at regional universities across Australia in order to contrast the perceived quality of training and various aspects of the nature of training. Responses from 190 students and all 35 directors of training show little difference in the perceived quality of training on several indices, with differences limited to the use of staff clinical research. Students at urban universities were less disposed to undertake a placement in a rural setting than those at regional universities.
TL;DR: The authors reported on research designed to test Australian attitudes towards helping impoverished members of the Australian society, in particular, indigenous and homeless people, and found that Australian attitudes were negative towards these groups.
Abstract: The article reports on research designed to test Australian attitudes towards helping impoverished members of the Australian society, in particular, indigenous and homeless people. Australian unive...
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that expectation can cause otherwise healthy individuals to resemble a clinical group in terms of their level of endorsement of psychological and psychosocial dysfunction.
Abstract: This study used an analogue design to investigate post-concussion syndrome and the psychological and psychosocial processes associated with post-concussion symptom (PCSx) reporting. The study examined the role of expectation in reporting of PCSx, the nature of associated psychological and psychosocial difficulties, and the “good-old-days” phenomenon. Forty-five healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) a control group or (2) an expectation group who were asked to perform as if they had experienced a mild traumatic brain injury. Fourteen psychiatric patients comprised the clinical group. Self-report questionnaires assessing PCSx and psychological and psychosocial variables were administered. It was hypothesised that PCSx would be non-specific, that the expectation group would report greater dysfunction than controls, and that the “good-old-days” phenomenon would cause the expectation and clinical groups to underestimate pre-morbid PCSx. All participants reported some degree of dysfunction, and the expectation and clinical groups underestimated past PCSx. The expectation group reported more PCSx and psychological and psychosocial dysfunction than controls, resembling the clinical group. The results demonstrate that expectation can cause otherwise healthy individuals to resemble a clinical group in terms of their level of endorsement of psychological and psychosocial dysfunction.
TL;DR: Positive experiences of psychologists with the Australian Government's Better Access initiative are suggested, providing indicative evidence that Better Access is assisting psychologists to meet a previously unmet community need for mental health care.
Abstract: The Australian Government’s Better Access initiative was introduced in late 2006 to increase treatment rates for people with mental disorders. It provides for reimbursement of psychologists’ services through Medicare. The current pilot study examines the experiences of psychologists with this initiative.Arandomsample of 204 of 4,235 psychologists in private practicewas approached and 73 psychologists (36%)were interviewed. The current study suggests that psychologists have had positive experiences with Better Access. They have appreciated the greater security of income and greater variety ofwork afforded by the initiative, and they have observed flow-on benefits in terms of increased access and reduced stigma for their clients. Additional research is required to corroborate these findings with a larger sample of psychologists, but the current findings provide indicative evidence that Better Access is assisting psychologists to meet a previously unmet community need for mental health care.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated outcome expectancies as possible motivating and maintaining factors in ecstasy use and sexual risk-taking behavior, and found that positive sex-related outcome expectation was associated with involvement in disinhibited sexual behaviour under the influence of ecstasy.
Abstract: Ecstasy has become one of the most widely used illicit drugs in Australia. This study investigated outcome expectancies as possible motivating and maintaining factors in ecstasy use and sexual risk-taking behaviour. A sample of regular ecstasy users (N = 220) from Sydney and Canberra, Australia, was recruited for structured face-to-face interviews. They also completed an Ecstasy Expectancy Questionnaire. Seven of eight subscales significantly differentiated regular users from non-users. Interestingly, light and heavier users held similar outcome expectancies, except that light users endorsed items on the sexual enhancement subscale more strongly than heavier users. Further investigation showed that the level of sexual risk taking observed in this sample was high, with the majority of participants reporting multiple partners, “casual” sexual encounters, sex under the influence of substances, and inconsistent condom use. Using logistic regression analyses, a key finding was that positive sex-related ecstasy outcome expectancies were associated with involvement in disinhibited sexual behaviour under the influence of ecstasy. These effects persisted after statistically controlling for the frequency of ecstasy use. The findings suggest that sexual risk taking is related not only to the disinhibiting properties of ecstasy but also to beliefs that users hold about the effects of the drug.
TL;DR: Over recent years UK clinical psychology training requirements have focused on the development of competency based models and in Edinburgh the “standard” model of training has been supplemented with a “specialist” training route.
Abstract: This article provides a brief overview of clinical psychology training requirements from the UK perspective. Over recent years UK clinical psychology training requirements have focused on the devel...
TL;DR: In the past, training in clinical psychology in Australia and overseas has been dominated by definitions of input, such as hours of classes or supervision and specific components as discussed by the authors, which has been remarkably like that of a treatment establishing standards of fidelity before its effective components are known.
Abstract: In the past, training in clinical psychology in Australia and overseas has been dominated by definitions of input— hours of classes or supervision and of specific components. While prospective practitioners have been required to demonstrate the acquisition of generic competencies, satisfaction of these input driven criteria has been required for both accreditation and registration. Ironically, for a discipline that prides itself on requiring empirical bases for practice and communicating those to students (Calhoun, Moras, Pilkonis, & Rehm, 1998), training criteria have been primarily derived from accepted wisdom, rather than from a sound body of data. The situation has been remarkably like that of a treatment establishing standards of fidelity before its effective components are known—an action our profession has correctly criticised in the past (Herbert & Mueser, 1992).