Cross-sectional and prospective correlates of recovery expectancies in the rehabilitation of whiplash injury

Investigations have shown that expectancies are significant prognostic indicators of recovery outcomes following whiplash injury. However, little is currently known about the determinants of recovery expectancies following whiplash injury. The purpose of the present study was to examine the cross-sectional and prospective correlates of recovery expectancies in individuals admitted to a rehabilitation program for whiplash injury.Participants (N=96) completed measures of recovery expectancies, psychosocial variables, symptom severity, symptom duration, and disability at time 0 (admission) and time 1 (discharge).Consistent with previous research, more positive recovery expectancies at time 0 were related to reductions in pain at time 1 (r=-0.33,

Romantic jealousy and relationship satisfaction: the costs of rumination

The experience of romantic jealousy and its influence on relationship outcomes is unclear. Romantic jealousy is often associated with damaging effects; on the other hand, jealousy is linked to positive relationship outcomes such as increased commitment. In this study, we aimed to address inconsistencies in previous research by proposing rumination as a mediator between romantic jealousy (cognitive jealousy and surveillance behaviors) and relationship dissatisfaction. We also aimed to extend our understanding of behavioral responses to jealousy, and in particular, partner surveillance and its link to relational dissatisfaction by proposing a research question. Overall, there were two paths to relationship dissatisfaction: Cognitive jealousy and surveillance behaviors were associated with relationship dissatisfaction via rumination, and cognitive jealousy was also directly associated with relationship dissatisfaction. Interestingly, surveillance behaviors were directly associated with relationship satisfaction. From these results, rumination is highlighted as a factor in explaining the link between romantic jealousy and relationship dissatisfaction. Clinical implications are discussed

Untapped potential: psychologists leading research in clinical practice

Enhancing the capacity of allied health professionals to engage in research is central to improving healthcare delivery. Psychologists have research skills given their training focus that emphasises the scientist-practitioner model. We aimed to investigate among psychologists the link between individual research capacity and their current level of research activity, how this compares with other allied health professions, and the role of team and organisation research capacity. Psychologists (n = 60) working in clinical roles in a large metropolitan public health setting completed an online survey consisting of the validated Research Capacity and Culture tool, and questions related to current research activities, barriers, and motivators. The results indicated that psychologists reported relatively high individual research capacity, higher than both team and organisation levels, and greater individual research capacity compared with studies of dietitians and a mixed group of allied health. Preliminary findings suggested that team research capacity mediated the link between individual research capacity and the level of current research activity. Finally, barriers and motivators to research activity were similar compared with studies of other allied health professions. Overall, a multi-strategy approach that focuses on and facilitates practice-based and interdisciplinary research, and enhances the leadership skills of psychologists in research, as well as broader efforts from an organisational perspective to build a strong and sustainable research culture, may contribute to the rapid use of research skills in clinical practice and improve health and healthcare delivery

Measuring romantic jealousy: Validation of the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale in Australian samples

Although a number of questionnaires have been developed to measure romantic jealousy, there is a lack of independent research that has substantiated their psychometric properties and minimal research that has tested and applied these measures in a consistent and reliable way. We aimed to address these gaps by providing the first validation study of an existing measure of romantic jealousy—the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MJS). The MJS was subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in two separate samples of individuals in romantic relationships of at least 2 months duration. A 17-item Short-Form MJS (SF-MJS) was supported, with three factors representing cognitive, emotional, and behavioural jealousy. Internal reliabilities were high. Consistent evidence supported the discriminant and concurrent validity of the SF-MJS. Overall, the current research provides a brief, validated measure of romantic jealousy for use in the general population. Potential clinical uses are discussed

Impulsivity traits and Facebook addiction in young people and the potential mediating role of coping styles

Impulsivity traits are important predictors of substance use problems and behavioural addictions such as online gaming. However, little is known about to what extent the two related neuropsychological systems of rash impulsiveness and reward drive contribute to Facebook addiction, or the mechanisms of impulsivity risk. The aim of this study was to examine the role of emotion-focused and avoidance coping as potential mediators of the link between rash impulsiveness and Facebook addiction, while controlling for reward drive. Participants (N = 244) were young people aged 18–25 years recruited from the first-year undergraduate research participant pool and via convenience sampling which involved the first author sharing the study on his Facebook page. Participants completed online, validated measures of Facebook addiction, emotion-focused and avoidant coping styles, rash impulsiveness and reward drive. Results showed that when controlling for reward drive, emotion-focused coping mediated the association between rash impulsiveness and Facebook addiction. Results also showed that rash impulsiveness but not reward drive was directly associated with Facebook addiction. These findings have implications for designing targeted cognitive behavioural treatments that consider biologically-based personality factors such as rash impulsiveness and cognitive factors such as emotion-focused coping to reduce harmful levels of Facebook addiction

A place to call home: hearing the perspectives of people living with homelessness and mental illness through service evaluation

There is an ongoing need to incorporate the perspectives of people in supported community housing to improve the provision of integrated mental health services. This study aimed to explore the satisfaction and experiences of people who have received supported housing and mental health services. We conducted a retrospective, mixed methods study using a data mining approach, analyzing consumer satisfaction survey responses collected on discharge from the service over a 7-year period. Responses from 178 consumers aged between 20 and 62\ua0years were included. Quantitative results indicated that consumers rated the quality of services as relatively high. Analysis of qualitative responses identified seven themes describing people's views on how they had benefitted from the service. Consumers reported benefits in terms of practical and emotional supports, responsiveness of the team to their needs, socialization and community integration, personal growth and recovery, and finding 'my place'. Themes of learning and skills development were also important. These results suggest that practical support, together with emotional expressions of care and compassion are most valued by people who participated in this service. This research has implications for service evaluation and for future research, which may include focusing on the key role of connectedness, 'my place' and hope for recovery

The mechanisms of effect of a physiotherapist-delivered integrated psychological and exercise intervention for acute whiplash-associated disorders: secondary mediation analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Introduction:\ua0Integrated psychological and physical treatments can improve recovery for\ua0whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Little is known about how these interventions work.Objective:\ua0To examine the mechanisms by which a physiotherapist-delivered integrated intervention for acute WAD improves health outcomes.Methods:\ua0Secondary analysis using structural equation modelling of a randomized controlled trial comparing integrated stress inoculation training and exercise to exercise alone for acute WAD. Outcomes were disability, pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, and health-related quality of life at 12 months. The intended intervention target and primary mediator, stress was tested in parallel with pain-related coping, an additional cognitive behavioral mediator that significantly improved at posttreatment (Model 1). Stress-related constructs that commonly co-occur with stress and pain were also tested as parallel mediators: depression and pain-related coping (Model 2); and posttraumatic stress and pain-related coping (Model 3).Results:\ua0Reductions in stress mediated the effect of the integrated intervention on disability (β = −0.12, confidence interval [CI] = −0.21 to −0.06), pain self-efficacy (β = 0.09, CI = 0.02–0.18), pain (β = −0.12, CI = −0.21 to −0.06), and health-related quality of life (β = 0.11, CI = 0.04–0.21). There was an additional path to pain self-efficacy through pain-related coping (β = 0.06, CI = 0.01–0.12). Similar patterns were found in Models 2 and 3.Conclusions:\ua0Improvements in stress and related constructs of depression and posttraumatic stress, and pain-related coping were causal mechanisms of effect in a physiotherapist-delivered integrated intervention. As\ua0integrated interventions\ua0are growing in popularity, it is important to further personalize interventions for improved benefit

Research engagement and activity in an allied health workforce insights into departmental and organisational strategies

Clinical environments that support and encourage research assist the development of research capacity and engagement amongst staff. Unfortunately, little information exists regarding departmental- and organisational-level strategies being used to encourage research capacity building within the allied health (AH) workforce. The current study used a qualitative approach to examine the nature of research engagement and activity occurring across AH departments within a large Australian public hospital and health service.Twenty-two AH departments from five sites/services provided details on research capacity building activities within their departments. Responses were aggregated and then examined thematically using an inductive approach. The number of departments reporting content against each theme category or subcategory was analysed descriptively.A culture of research engagement was identified in over 90% of departments, with over 80% producing research outputs. Content analysis identified key strategies being used to (a) stimulate active staff engagement with with/in research, (b) support research activity, and (c) conduct research within networks and partnerships.AH departments in the current study engaged in multiple strategies to help build the research capacity of their staff. The findings highlight structures, processes, and systems that can be employed by departments at an organisational level to help support AH research capacity building

Impact of a new specialist alcohol and drug brief intervention service model integrated into the emergency department: An interrupted time series analysis

To describe and examine the impact of a new specialist drug and alcohol brief intervention team (DABIT) model integrated into the ED on the identification of individuals at risk of future alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related harm. A cost-outcome analysis was conducted to assess the impact on costs per referral.An interrupted time series analysis examined the changes in number of referrals following the implementation of the DABIT model over 2 years (January 2015-December 2016) within a large 436-bed public hospital. The primary outcome of interest was the number of AOD-related referrals per month identified following ED presentations. The independent variables were: time (measured in months), implementation periods (pre-implementation; a transition period of adjustment during which the new DABIT model of care was developed; post-implementation period with a fully operational DABIT model); and the number of full-time equivalent staff per month to account for the increase in labour productivity. In a second time series analysis, the outcome was cost per referral per month.After controlling for changes in labour productivity, the number of referrals was significantly higher following the implementation of the DABIT model when compared to those during the pre-implementation and transition periods. Costs were significantly lower following DABIT implementation resulting in $1096 net cost savings per referral.Integration of a specialist brief intervention AOD model to support ED care may increase uptake of specialist AOD treatment and could be beneficial from an economic efficiency viewpoint

Interest in Digital Peer-Delivered Interventions and Preferences to Improve Pain Self-efficacy and Reduce Loneliness Among Patients With Chronic Pain: Mixed Methods Co-design Study

BackgroundTwo important factors that prolong and exacerbate chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and disability are low pain self-efficacy and loneliness. Yet, few interventions have shown long-term sustained improvements in pain self-efficacy, and there are no evidence-based treatments that target social connectedness in people living with CNCP. More effective and accessible interventions designed to target self-efficacy and social connectedness could ease the burden of CNCP. ObjectiveTo co-design accessible interventions to increase pain self-efficacy, social connection, pain-related outcomes, and quality of life, this study explored patients’ interest and preferences for digital peer-delivered interventions for CNCP as well as implementation barriers and enablers. MethodsThis cross-sectional mixed methods study was part of a larger longitudinal cohort study. Adult Australian residents (N=186) with CNCP diagnosed by a medical professional or pain specialist were included. Participants were initially recruited through advertising on professional pain social media accounts and websites. Questions examined whether patients were interested in digital peer-delivered interventions and their preferences for specific features (eg, Newsfeed). Pain self-efficacy and loneliness were assessed using validated questionnaires, and the association between these factors and interest in digital peer-delivered support was explored. Open-ended questions explored implementation barriers, enablers, and suggestions for consideration in intervention design. ResultsThere was interest in accessing digital peer-delivered interventions, with almost half of the sample indicating that they would access it if it was available. Those who indicated an interest in digital peer interventions reported both lower pain self-efficacy and greater loneliness than those who were not interested. Intervention content that incorporated education, links to health services and resources, and delivery of support by peer coaches were the most frequently preferred intervention features. Three potential benefits were identified: shared experience, social connection, and shared pain management solutions. Five potential barriers were identified: negative focus on pain, judgment, lack of engagement, negative impact on mental health, privacy and security concerns, and unmet personal preferences. Finally, there were 8 suggestions from participants: moderation of the group, interest subgroups, professional-led activities, psychological strategies, links to professional pain resources, newsletter, motivational content, live streaming, and online meetups. ConclusionsDigital peer-delivered interventions were of particular interest to those with CNCP who had lower levels of pain self-efficacy and higher levels of loneliness. Future co-design work could tailor digital peer-delivered interventions to these unmet needs. Intervention preferences and implementation barriers and enablers identified in this study could guide further co-design and the development of such interventions