How does perceived severity and susceptibility influence individual cognition? Investigating the theoretical basis of the 'threat' construct in alternative contexts

Contemporary research has focused on cognitive factors' influence on behaviour change. Health Psychology models such as the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), comprised of threat, self- and response-efficacy constructs, have been successful in predicting health behaviours. Little research has been conducted on how this model can be applied to the environmental context. The project focused on water sustainability practices within the Townsville region (North Queensland, Australia) whose water supply was under threat at the time of research. A survey was formulated based on the EPPM constructs and a sample of 363 participants were recruited. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine if the constructs within the EPPM as well as demographic variables were predictors of water conservation behaviour. Results found gender, age and the three EPPM constructs were significant predictors of higher levels of water saving behaviour. This research demonstrates the applicability of the EPPM in the environmental context, however the conceptual differences between health and environmental threats should be considered. There is currently no clarity around the theoretical composition of 'threat' and how it plays to one's intentions to act in this context. The second part of this research considered this issue. The research focused on exploring proximal, social, temporal and hypothetical distance to measure threat severity and what is susceptible to the negative outcomes of the threat, in terms of individual, community and global effects. This research thus provides further understanding of the construct of 'threat' and its relationship to behaviour

One size fits none: tailoring messages to communicate environmental threats

This research aimed to understand peoples' perceptions of environmental threats to inform threat message construction and branch away from the previous 'one size fits all' approach to environmental campaigns. The study used a health decision making model (Extended Parallel Process Model) to cluster individuals based on common cognitive characteristics. The research focused on the context of water security in the drought declared region of Townsville, North Queensland (Australia), where water use was monitored and restricted. A sample of 363 participants were recruited from this region. Participants completed an online survey which asked questions relating to water usage behaviours, perceptions relating to how the water restrictions were communicated, as well as the concerns regarding water security at the time and in the future. Three cluster groups were constructed based on EPPM variables (perceived self-efficacy, perceived response-efficacy and perceived threat). Each group was significantly different in terms of levels of water saving behaviour. This research informs a more targeted approach to the communication of environmental threats, such a drought, with the aim of increasing the sustainability of the natural resource

Influencing sustainability behaviours from a social marketing perspective

Educating the public about sustainable living poses major challenges to scientists and policy makers alike. Environmental issues can be considered complex and contain uncertainty, making decisions around mitigating behaviour more difficult. In response to these challenges, adopting a social marketing perspective and segmenting a target audience to develop more effective communication strategies, is proposed to increase sustainability behaviours. The project focused on water sustainability behaviour within the Townsville region (North Queensland, Australia) whose water supply was under threat at the time of research. A survey was formulated based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), a well-established and successful health behaviour change model. A sample of 363 participants were recruited. Three clusters representing different standings on EPPM factors (threat and efficacy), demographic variables and water related behaviours were generated from the data. Cluster 1 (32%) had low threat and efficacy perceptions and were least likely to participate in sustainability behaviours. Cluster 2 (25%) had high threat perceptions but low efficacy perceptions. This group were long-term residents of the region. Cluster 3 (43%) had high threat and efficacy perceptions and were the most environmentally proactive. Additional analyses were conducted to explore how these clusters differed in their standing on other variables. The approach could be used for all types of environmental threat communication and also assist campaign developers target specific messages to specific audiences

Linking student in nursing/student in midwifery employment to Australian professional standards: A cross-sectional study

Background: Undergraduate nursing and midwifery curricula in Australia are accredited according to the Australian Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and Midwife Standards for Practice. At the university level, all subjects are mapped to their relevant professional standards. Little is known about the intersection between the curricula and dedicated student in nursing (SIN) and student in midwifery (SIM) employment roles. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2019 over 5 months, surveyed nursing and midwifery students working in undergraduate student employment roles at major public and private hospitals in North Queensland (NQ), Australia, using a self-report survey developed by the authors. Findings: Data collected from 68 respondents indicated that work undertaken by SIN/SIMs in the areas of knowledge development, skill development, building confidence, and socialisation was highly valued by those who work in these roles. The findings also demonstrated links between student knowledge and skill acquisition that occurs at university and their application within clinical environments. Conversely, participants reported no formal recognition by their university of the knowledge acquired and learning undertaken within the workplace whilst in a SIN/SIM role. Discussion: The results of this study affirm the important integrative relationship between this work and student learning, whilst also demonstrating links to the achievement of professional standards, a requirement for all nursing and midwifery graduates. The absence of collaboration and connection between the university and clinical settings is of major concern given the long-standing attempts to reduce the intransigent ‘theory-practice gap’. Conclusion: It is axiomatic that the work undertaken by nursing and midwifery undergraduates in dedicated clinical employment roles in NQ contributes in significant ways to student learning and professional development

Listen Up: A case study examination of focused listening

Today, most everyday music listening is an accompaniment to other activities; it is far less common that listening is someone’s primary activity, receiving most of their attention. In this article, we present a case study, Listen Up, run by Indigo Project, a mental health organization in Sydney, Australia, in which we explored relationships between participants’ responses to the experience and their demographics and styles of music engagement. A sample of 187 Australian residents (aged 20–64 years) who attended Listen Up completed a survey measuring music engagement; emotional responses to the experience; perceived outcomes of the session; pre- and post-measures of stress, mood, and anxiety; and free-text responses to questions concerning their experiences of listening mindfully and any thoughts or feelings that arose during the session. Participants experienced an increased mood and decreased levels of stress and arousal after taking part in Listen Up. Their focused-listening experiences were not simply characterized by enjoying the music; rather, the emotions evoked were varied and complex. We characterized their emotional responses as negative, positive, evocative and expressive, and sad; in addition, participants characterized their own experiences as a cathartic journey resolving into a positive, peaceful, and calm state. Reported outcomes of participating in Listen Up included experiences described as being emotionally challenging, therapeutic, and physically uncomfortable. An affective music engagement style was positively associated with evocative and expressive and sad emotional experiences, and therapeutic outcomes. As a focused-listening experience, Listen Up provides participants with the opportunity not only to attend to music but also to reflect on and process their personal thoughts and feelings. This research provides evidence for the emotional and mental health benefits of focused music listening, such that, focused listening reflects opportunities for strong experiences with music in today’s listening landscape

Student Employment Models for Undergraduate Nurses and Midwives in Australia: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Evidence has shown that throughout their undergraduate years, many nursing and midwifery students obtain paid employment in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical positions. Across Australia, inconsistencies exist in the models of clinical employment available to these student groups. Previous Australian studies have described the employment of undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in regulated and unregulated clinical roles. No studies have reported on the various regulated roles available to both student nurses and midwives in Australia. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and synthesize evidence related to nursing and/or midwifery students employed in regulated and unregulated clinical roles in Australia. Methods: This scoping review utilized published recommendations for data screening, abstraction, and synthesis. One of the authors, a librarian, undertook systematic searches in CINAHL Complete (1937–present), Emcare on Ovid (1995–present), Scopus (1969–present), and Ovid MEDLINE(R) (including Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, and In-Data-Review & Other Non-Indexed Citations, 1946–present). The initial searches were completed in April 2019 and repeated in March 2021 and May 2022 to identify any new literature. Manual searching of reference lists in the included papers was also undertaken, together with selected organizational websites. The extracted data included the lead author, date, title, study design, study sample and location, and key findings. Results: From the 53 items retrieved, 23 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. All items were published between 2011 and 2022. Only four of the studies focused upon student midwives. Undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in Australia obtain paid employment in a variety of regulated and unregulated clinical roles. Conclusion: The literature reported here demonstrates that there are differing models, nomenclature, educational requirements, and pay scales in place for student employment in clinical roles across Australian states and territories

Climate Change is an Emerging Threat to Perinatal Mental Health

Objective: In this discussion, we build the case for why climate change is an emerging threat to perinatal mental health. Method: A search of current literature on perinatal and maternal mental health and extreme weather events was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. Only articles focusing on maternal mental health were included in this narrative review. Results: The perinatal period represents a potentially challenging timeframe for women for several reasons. Necessary role adjustments (reprioritization), changes in one’s ability to access pre-birth levels (and types) of social support, fluctuating hormones, changes in body shape, and possible complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum are just a few of the factors that can impact perinatal mental health. Trauma is also a risk factor for negative mood symptoms and can be experienced as the result of many different types of events, including exposure to extreme weather/natural disasters. Conclusion: While the concepts of “eco-anxiety,” “climate despair,” and “climate anxiety” have garnered attention in the mainstream media, there is little to no discussion of how the climate crisis impacts maternal mental health. This is an important omission as the mother’s mental health impacts the family unit as a whole

A study of students in nursing or midwifery (SIN/SIM) in North Queensland

Aim/Objective: To increase knowledge about SIN and SIM roles in selected NQ health facilities, and identify the relationships between students working in these roles and their respective University program. To explore how these roles consolidate or augment student learning, contribute to their professional portfolio, improve professional socialization, and increase post-graduation employment opportunities. Methods: SINs and SIMs w ere surveyed using Qualtrics to explore their hours of work, area(s) of employment, year level within their respective university degree, and how they believed their work experience contributed to their learning and role development. Nurse Unit Managers of the wards where SINs/SIMs were employed also completed an online survey and participated in individual interviews, to ascertain their attitudes toward, and experiences with, SINs or SIMs. Results: Sixty-eight (68) students in either SIN or SIM roles completed the online survey. Eight (8) Nurse Unit Managers were individually interviewed. The employment and deployment of SINs and SIMs across and within public and private hospitals in North Queensland appears to be highly variable. There is currently no for mal relationship between the work undertaken by students in SIN/SIM roles, and their respective University program. Student respondents indicated that time management, communication, clinical skills, socialisation and confidence were enhanced through these roles. Nurse Unit Managers indicated that SIN/SIM roles formed an important component of their workforce, however their limited scope of practice meant that they were being under utilised. Conclusion: SIN and SIM roles provide students with important opportunities to consolidate clinical skills, become socialised in the hospital environment, and increase their likelihood of employment following graduation. If these roles are to continue, Universities and health facilities need to explore ways in which more formal structures and processes could be implemented to ensure students are supported and their work is recognised

sj-docx-1-msx-10.1177_10298649231203628 – Supplemental material for Listen Up: A case study examination of focused listening

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-msx-10.1177_10298649231203628 for Listen Up: A case study examination of focused listening by Amanda E. Krause, Madelyn Pardon, Mary Hoang and Richard Lucano in Musicae Scientiae</p