Development of a multi-dimensional measure of resilience in adolescents: the Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire

Background: The concept of resilience has captured the imagination of researchers and policy makers over the past two decades. However, despite the ever growing body of resilience research, there is a paucity of relevant, comprehensive measurement tools. In this article, the development of a theoretically based, comprehensive multidimensional measure of resilience in adolescents is described.Methods: Extensive literature review and focus groups with young people living with chronic illness informed the conceptual development of scales and items. Two sequential rounds of factor and scale analyses were undertaken to revise the conceptually developed scales using data collected from young people living with a chronic illness and a general population sample.Results: The revised Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire comprises 93 items and 12 scales measuring resilience factors in the domains of self, family, peer, school and community. All scales have acceptable alpha coefficients. Revised scales closely reflect conceptually developed scales.Conclusions: It is proposed that, with further psychometric testing, this new measure of resilience will provide researchers and clinicians with a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate instrument to measure a young person&rsquo;s capacity to achieve positive outcomes despite life stressors.<br /

Dealing with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis : differences in post-diagnosis behaviour

Abstract not available

Does starting on an academic note make a difference?

An orientation program may set the scene for what is to follow for commencing students; therefore it is important to ensure that the initial impression a student receives is an appropriate one. In 2005 the orientation program for commencing students at Swinburne University of Technology was redesigned in order to enhance the academic focus. In 2006 the “First Year Academic Orientation Program” was evaluated to assess the success of the transition from a primarily social, to an academic, orientation. Two studies were conducted. Firstly, 799 first year students attending orientation completed an initial evaluation. The evaluation data was used to explore if there were demographic or student status (eg. full vs part time; local vs international) differences regarding the levels to which orientation contributed to: developing a positive attitude to Swinburne; managing university study; and understanding how students can overcome problems. In addition, demographic and student status differences in who would seek assistance for problems and an exploration of the reasons why some would not seek assistance were considered. For the second study, all first year students will be invited to respond to an online “First Year Orientation and Transition Survey” in April-May 2006. Utilising this data, differences between students who did or did not attend the Academic Orientation in terms of adjustment to university; knowledge about university services; positive attitudes towards Swinburne and understanding how to learn in a university environment will be explored. Further, participants who attended orientation will be asked to reflect on the experience and nominate what aspects of Orientation assisted in their first weeks of university. Finally, a qualitative analysis of the written responses to questions about what are the most difficult aspects of becoming a university student and what factors assisted in the adjustment to university life will be presented

Needs, psychosocial resources and well-being of spouses of cardiac patients over a three-month period

Abstract not available

Friendship closeness inventory: development and psychometric evaluation

This study developed a psychometrically sound measure of closeness in Australian men's (n = 59) and women's (n = 77) same-sex friendships, the Friendship Closeness Inventory. Subscales were developed to measure both masculine and feminine styles of closeness in three domains of Emotional Closeness, Behavioural Closeness, and Cognitive Closeness. The inventory was subjected to reliability checks which supported the reliability of each scale, and factor analyses which supported the 3-factor design. Correlations among ratings on subscales suggested that the affective, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions are distinguishable but related components of friendship. Group comparisons indicated that women rated themselves closer to their same-sex friends on the affective dimension than men. Researchers have suggested that sex-role socialisation may partly account for sex differences in self-ratings of emotional expressiveness in friendships. There were no significant differences between men's and women's ratings on the behavioural and cognitive aspects of friendships. The cognitive element may need further exploration in further scale development as it measures only one aspect of cognitive closeness: the perceived influence of friends. Pending further validation, the inventory appears potentially useful for research exploring affective, behavioural, and cognitive elements of young men's and women's friendships

Homophobia among Australian heterosexuals: the role of sex, gender role ideology, and gender role traits

This study examined homophobia and gender roles in heterosexual Australian men (n = 42) and women (n = 67). No sex difference in general homophobia was found, however the men were more homophobic toward gay men than lesbians, whereas the women were more homophobic toward lesbians. Sex by Homophobia analyses revealed that both men and women in the low homophobia group held feminist gender role beliefs. Women in the high homophobia group also held feminist beliefs, however high homophobic men reported more traditional gender role beliefs, suggesting that beliefs about sexuality and gender roles are more closely linked for men than women. High and low homophobia groups reported similar levels of self-ascribed masculine traits, but differed on positive feminine traits. Both men and women in the low homophobia group reported similarly high levels of interpersonal qualities such as sensitivity to others’ needs, patience, loyalty, gentleness, and emotionality. While the link between gender role beliefs and homophobia requires further clarification, the promotion of ‘feminine’ traits as gender-neutral, socially valued qualities may help to reduce homophobia and other forms of prejudice

Development of a multi-dimensional measure of resilience in adolescents : the adolescent resilience questionnaire

Abstract not available

A risk factor profile for pre-diabetes: biochemical, behavioural, psychosocial and cultural factors

In this study a profile is presented of a group of people diagnosed with pre-diabetes and who volunteered to be part of a lifestyle intervention to improve their health. Baseline (pre-intervention) data on biochemical, anthropometric, psychosocial, cultural and lifestyle factors were collected, providing a picture of the extent to which the behaviours of the participants were suboptimal for health. The sample enabled comparison of a Chinese-Australian group with an Anglo-Australian group, as well as male-female comparisons. Participants reported several barriers to healthy eating and exercise, with negative mood, particularly depression, significantly associated with more perceived barriers and weaker motivation to change. Men were less healthy eaters than women. The Anglo-Australian pre-diabetics were characterised by biochemical and anthropomorphic features reflecting the metabolic syndrome, showing risk factors not only for diabetes but also for cardio-vascular disease. The Chinese sample did not reflect metabolic syndrome risk factors to the same extent and, possibly as a consequence, were less motivated to change their behaviour in response to their diagnosis of pre-diabetes. The implications for lifestyle interventions were discussed