Shakespeare, again? Australian Literary Adaptations of Shakespeare for Children and Young Adults

This thesis surveys, codifies and analyses adaptations of Shakespearean plays written by Australian authors for children and Young Adults between 1988 and 2019. It is revealed that the corpus of Australian texts represents a diverse and productive era of adapting Shakespeare. Through an analysis of Australian and international marketplaces, physical and imaginative spaces and the body as a site of meaning, this thesis argues that texts are imbued with the ideological dissemination of Shakespearean cultural capital. Combining current research in children’s literature and Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital further deepens the critical awareness of the status of Australian literature while extending the pre-existing concentration on British, American and Canadian adaptations. Chapter 1 surveys and codifies the Australian marketplace of adaptations by identifying trends and authorial interests. Chapter 2 examines the representation of classroom, stage and imaginative spaces as contemporary sites upon which the texts cast their adaptations. Chapter 3 analyses gendered bodies as sites that recreate characters from Shakespeare’s plays. Chapter 4 returns to the macrocosmic level of the marketplace to contextualise the Australian texts in the international space. This comparative method determines elements of originality in Australian adaptations. This thesis draws into focus the consequences of the socialising nature of children’s literature by both highlighting the didactic and ideological qualities of the Australian texts

Caring for infants with posterior urethral valves: A qualitative study of parents’ experiences

This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of parents caring for an infant with posterior urethral valves (PUVs). Eight parents participated in a semi-structured, individual telephone interview, with qualitative data collected and analysed thematically using NVivo11 software. Two main themes emerged as interconnecting aspects of parents’ experiences: (1) trying to face the challenges and (2) learning to cope. Parents felt challenged by the need to attend to their child’s medical care, while developing a bond with their baby, trying to maintain positivity for their child’s future and managing the impact of the condition on their family. Nevertheless, parents developed strategies to cope with these challenges, such as seeking support, normalizing the experience and focusing on the positives. This preliminary understanding of parents’ experiences provides direction for improving care pathways for infants with PUV and their parents as well as guides further research in this previously unexplored area

Parents’ perceptions of counselling following prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: a qualitative study

Objectives: To explore parents’ experiences of counselling after prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. Subjects and Methods: Parents of a child born between September 2012 and March 2015 with posterior urethral valves (PUV) or multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) completed a semi-structured telephone interview, demographic survey, and the 21-item self-report Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo10 software. Results: In all, 17 parents (PUV, eight; MCDK, nine) participated (response rate 40%), and most were offered counselling during pregnancy (14/17). Parents described feelings of shock, fear and uncertainty after diagnosis, and desired early information on all aspects of their child's condition. Most participants were satisfied with the information received; however, unmet information needs relating to treatment and prognosis were identified, particularly amongst fathers and parents in the PUV group. Some parents felt relieved after counselling (12/17); however, emotional distress often persisted long after diagnosis. Parents described a need for written and web-based information resources, specialised psychological services, and parent support groups. Conclusion: While parents valued counselling, many continued to report unmet informational and psychological needs. Early counselling addressing topics important to parents and provision of additional resources and support services may improve parents’ adjustment to their baby's diagnosis