Congregational bonding social capital and psychological type : an empirical enquiry among Australian churchgoers

This study explores the variation in levels of bonding social capital experienced by individual churchgoers, drawing on data generated by the Australian National Church Life Survey, and employing a five-item measure of church-related bonding social capital. Data provided by 2065 Australian churchgoers are used to test the thesis that individual differences in bonding social capital are related to a psychological model of psychological types (employing the Jungian distinctions). The data demonstrated that higher levels of bonding social capital were found among extraverts (compared with introverts), among intuitive types (compared with sensing types) and among feeling types (compared with thinking types), but no significant differences were found between judging types and perceiving types

The psychological type profile of Christians participating in fellowship groups or in small study groups: Insights from the Australian National Church Life Survey

The Australian National Church Life Survey draws on psychological type theory to facilitate insights into the connection between individual psychological profiles and preferences for different religious expressions. Drawing on data provided by 2355 participants in the 2006 congregation survey, this analysis profiles those members of church congregations who are drawn to participation in small prayer, discussion or Bible study groups, or to participation in fellowship and social groups. The key findings are that extraverts and feeling types are over-represented in the fellowship and social groups and that intuitive types are over-represented in small prayer, discussion or Bible study groups

The psychological-type profile of lay church leaders in Australia

A sample of 845 lay church leaders (444 women and 401 men) from a range of 24 different denominations and movements (including house churches and independent churches) completed the Francis Psychological-Type Scales within the context of the 2006 Australian National Church Life Survey. The psychological-type profiles of these lay church leaders were almost identical to the type profiles of 1527 Australian churchgoers (936 women and 591 men) published in an earlier study by Robbins and Francis. The predominant types among female lay church leaders were ISFJ (21%), ESFJ (21%), and ISTJ (18%). The predominant types among male lay church leaders were ISTJ (28%), ISFJ (17%), ESTJ (13%), and ESFJ (12%). The SJ temperament accounted for 67% of the female lay church leaders and for 70% of the male lay church leaders. The strengths and weaknesses of the SJ leadership style are discussed

The estimation of parametric change in time-series models

This thesis examines methods for detecting structural change in parametric time-series models. This detection is accomplished through the use of random walk models of the parameter variation. Although the model of main interest is the transfer function models the methods developed are largely adaptations of procedures used for regression models as the exact theory for the time-series case is generally too complex. An instrumental variable smoothing algorithm for estimating parametric change is developed and is shown to provide good estimates of the variation. Other aspects of the procedure are also discussed^including the estimation of the statistics of the parameter variation. Finally some computer simulations and analyses of real data are provided. These illustrate some of the main points discussed in the thesis

Joe Hockey’s medical research fund is nothing more than a distraction

Health is a basic requirement for an individual to lead a good life. Without health you have nothing; when we are sick, it’s difficult to work, to care for others, to participate in the things we enjoy. We seek treatment so we can get back to our normal lives. Because health is so important to our wellbeing, there is widespread agreement— including among ethicists —that a fair and accessible healthcare system is something that we should pursue. And although the Australian healthcare system is far from perfect, it has provided universal access to healthcare for almost 40 years. A universal healthcare system – one that is open to everyone, whether or not they can afford to pay – is a basic feature of a good and just society. Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey want us to panic about a "budget emergency", including the idea that our current health system is unsustainable. Rising healthcare costs pose a challenge to governments everywhere. But this is not a new problem, and will not bring about economic or social catastrophe any time soon. This amplified threat is being used to justify measures that are now well known: introducing co-payments for GP fees; disestablishing Medicare Locals; transferring health agencies to the department of health with reduced funding; and stripping $80bn in funding from the states, particularly in health and education. This will not only force the states to increase their own goods and services taxes, but reduce the public services they can afford to provide. It will end universal access to health care, make Medicare a mere "safety net", overwhelm hospitals, and increase the inequities that are increasingly a feature of Australian society

Doxycycline Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been increasing over the past 2 decades in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. With the widespread use of early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, which virtually eliminates transmission risk, and the availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, there have been attitudinal changes regarding HIV infection with resultant increases in sexual contact and declines in condom use. Doxycycline is used for primary prophylaxis in a number of infectious diseases. We conducted a state-of-the-art review to examine the current state of research, knowledge gaps, and challenges around the use of doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent syphilis and other STIs. International academic and government experts met in March 2019 to frame the initial inquiry, which was supplemented by focused literature searches. Two small short-term randomized controlled trials examining doxycycline prophylaxis found high efficacy. Five additional clinical studies are underway or in development. Studies differed in design, population, outcomes, and safety measures. Doxycycline prophylaxis for bacterial STIs shows promise. Better and more robust data are needed on efficacy; target population; community acceptability; behavioral risk compensation; doxycycline dose, regimen, and formulation; long-term safety; antimicrobial resistance; cost-effectiveness; and risk–benefit

Improving chlamydia knowledge should lead to increased chlamydia testing among Australian general practitioners: a cross-sectional study of chlamydia testing uptake in general practice

Female general practitioners (GPs) have higher chlamydia testing rates than male GPs, yet it is unclear whether this is due to lack of knowledge among male GPs or because female GPs consult and test more female patients