Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing focussing on Rural Communities
The Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Research Group comprises academics and students and UNE Psychology Clinic staff with a particular focus on understanding the mental health of those living in rural populations, as well as the general population. Research in this area focuses on clinical psychology and psychological disorders and presentations, including depression, anxiety, substance use, suicide; including in response to natural disasters such as drought and fires which particularly impact rural communities. Projects also explore psychological service provision and treatment, especially for rural communities, as well as the training of the mental health workforce and upskilling clinicians is also explored. A further focus of this stream includes understanding comorbid physical and psychological health, and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Our Staff
Research in the Media
https://www.une.edu.au/connect/news/2022/03/australian-first-model-for-disaster-recovery
https://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/6294314/could-your-job-be-making-you-ill/?cs=471
https://www.nursingreview.com.au/2019/07/pooing-on-the-clock-does-your-roster-give-you-the-shifts/
Projects
Funded Projects
- Phoenix Project: A Community-Based Mental Health Fire Recovery Program (Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants)
- Life-Course Blood Pressure and Cognition – this epidemiological study aims to identify whether cumulative and incremental exposure to high blood pressure is associated with decline in cognitive function (NHMRC)
- The VARIABLE BRAIN Consortium: individual participant data meta-analysis of blood pressure variability and brain health (ADDF, DARF)
- Blood Pressure Variation, Mood and Cognitive Function (RCF, NHF)
Ongoing Projects
- Development of Competencies of Professional Psychology Rating Scales (COPPR)
- Examination of the mental health needs of rural Australians following bushfire, drought, and other natural hazards
- ITS Pootime
- Climate change and mental health in young people
- Mental health and wellbeing of Young Australians impacted by climate events
- Mental Health Service provision for rural Australia
- Wellbeing and quality of life for rural and remote oncology patients and their carers
- Competence development and training of future psychologists
- Visual attention and its relationship with psychopathology and body image
Future Students
Recent PhD thesis topics include:
- Modifying Mental Health Help-Seeking Stigma in Young Rural Australians: A Mixed Method Approach
- Psychological Competency Development and Measurement
- Young Australian People and Adjustment Disorder
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Perinatal Anxiety
- Efficacy of gratitude-expression interventions
- Effects of assertiveness training on social anxiety
- Effects of identifying a romantic partner's signature character strength
Available PhD opportunities
- An Exploratory Study into the Mental Health Needs of Australians Impacted by Climate Change
- International Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) research network
- Investigating Mental Health Treatment needs of rural Australians
- Investigating efficacy of Mental Health Service Provision in rural Australia
- Climate change and mental health in vulnerable populations
- Human-animal interactions and wellbeing
Additional topics and opportunities exist, please contact individual staff for further information or to discuss.
Contact
Cluster lead: A/Prof John Malouff
