The comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders

Research indicates that eating disorders and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur. The prevalence of anxiety disorders amongst anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa samples has been reported in a number of investigations. Despite the significant number of research papers investigating the comorbidity between eating disorders and anxiety disorders, many are plagued by methodological problems, limiting the usefulness of findings. Furthermore, there is a significant lack of research examining the prevalence of eating disorders among anxiety patients, and as a result, the frequency of eating disorder pathology among patients presenting to specialty anxiety clinics is unclear. The current research investigated the prevalence of comorbid eating and anxiety disorders amongst 152 women presenting for either eating disorder treatment or anxiety disorder treatment. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was determined from a sample of 100 women presenting for inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment. The prevalence of eating disorders was determined from a sample of 52 women presenting for outpatient treatment of an anxiety disorder. The current study found that 65% of women with eating disorders also met criteria for at least one comorbid anxiety disorder. Furthermore, 69% reported the onset of the anxiety disorder to precede the onset of the eating disorder. Of the anxiety disorders diagnosed, Social Phobia was most frequently diagnosed (42%) followed by PTSD (26%), GAD (23%), OCD (5%), Panic/Ag (3%) and Specific Phobia (2%). We also found that 13.5% of women presenting for anxiety treatment also met criteria for a comorbid eating disorder. The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of eating and anxiety disorder comorbidity is high. It is hoped that the present research will have significant etiological and therapeutic implications and further the understanding of the development and maintenance of eating disorder pathology

Moving from rational to irrational modelling: predicting alcohol consumption

Traditional health behaviour models (eg. Theory of Planned Behaviour) rest on the assumption that behaviour is the result of a deliberate, rational decision-making process. These 'rational' models however fail to account for the situational influences of behaviour. Thus, the ability to explain spontaneous, irrational behaviour such as binge drinking is limited. A more appropriate theoretical framework has been outlined by Gibbons and Gerrard. The Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) accepts that behaviour is not always rational and may be influenced by a number of situational factors. Through the inclusion of an 'irrational' pathway to behaviour, the PWM has had success predicting health risk behaviours such as binge drinking, which are more likely to be subject to situational influences. The current study aimed to compare the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Prototype Willingness Model's (PWM) ability to predict alcohol consumption within an adult sporting sample (M= 30.15 years, SD= 12.48 years). Participants completed either a paper- or web- based anonymous questionnaire. The total sample (N= 319) included males and females from team and individual oriented sports. Sport type comparisons highlight the contrast between the social nature of team sports and individual sports where social pressures to consume alcohol may not be as prominent. Overall, team sports people's quantity of alcohol consumption was significantly greater than individual sports people's. Multiple Regression Analyses (MRAs) were conducted to examine the TPB and PWMs ability to predict team and individual sports people's quantity of alcohol consumption. As expected, the results suggest that the prototype was more salient for team sports people where hazardous alcohol consumption and prototype perceptions were significantly positively associated. The current study has highlighted the association between prototype perceptions hazardous alcohol consumption. Risk behaviour goes beyond the scope of rational forethought, thus the frameworks we employ must also acknowledge this. The important aspect of the PWM is that it provides a more enriched model upon which interventions can be based. It goes beyond the TPB by including social mechanisms that influence behaviour. Future research should now focus on manipulating prototype perceptions in an attempt to reduce hazardous alcohol consumption

Perceptions of storm surges in north Queensland

Storm surges have the potential to bring widespread damage to the north Australian coastline. The dangers from the wind aspect of cyclones are well understood, however, it is unclear if the same can be said about the potential dangers from accompanying storm surges. This study explored the differences between how cyclones and storm surges are perceived by people who are vulnerable to such events. It is important to consider these aspects given that storm surges have not occurred frequently in the past but may happen more often in the future. The sample consisted of 231 undergraduate students studying psychology subjects at James Cook University in Townsville in north Queensland. Participants were asked to record their experience with cyclones and storm surges, their understanding of official warnings used when these events are imminent and a self-assessment of their ability to plan and prepared for these events. Perceptions of severity, possible negative consequences, likelihood and preparedness for both events were also obtained. The results demonstrated that participants living in this region are not as familiar with the particulars of storms surges as they are with cyclones. This study suggests that further research is needed to understand how experience can both facilitate and impede perception of risk, so that risk communication can be best structured for people who do not perceive themselves as being vulnerable

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

Investigating the influence of factors inhibiting environmental behavior and their relationship to workplace health

Background: While there has been a wealth of research exploring householdpro-environmental behavior (PEB), very little research has explored PEB in the workplace. This constitutes a considerable gap in the literature and in practice. Workplaces provide substantial opportunities for the implementation of behavioral interventions and policies. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a guiding framework, this study sought to identify the predictive validity of perceived behavioral control, environmental attitudes and norms on work-related PEB. Understanding the predictors of this rational behavior has implications for improving both environmental and health outcomes within the workplace. Method: Staff and students (N=198) from James Cook University, Townsville were recruited to participate in an online questionnaire that explored the attitudinal, normative and control factors associated with workplace PEB. Findings: The importance of attitudinal, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control factors varied depending on the type of PEB targeted. For example, subjective norms were particularly important for workplace recycling behaviors. Discussion: The TPB is useful in explaining some PEB due to the intentional and rational nature of environmental behavior. The findings further suggest that workplaces could act as a medium by which to enhance PEB through policy implementation at a micro level. Moreover, due to the nature of some PEB, this policy implementation may have spillover effects for individual health outcomes. The importance of encouraging home PEB may also have positive effects for workplace environmental behavior

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

Understanding the factors that influence resilience in a cyclone prone population

Introduction: Research in the field of climate change has identified that the severity of extreme weather events is likely to increase. As these events can have detrimental effects to both physical and mental health, it is important to understand the factors that promote resilience. Past research suggests that social resilience to hazards encompasses both the avoidance of losses (through preparation) and the ability to recover with minimal social disruptions if disaster a occurs. The purpose of this research was to identify the psychosocial factors that influence social resilience in a high risk population in North Queensland. Methods: Participants (n=356) living in Townsville (n=309) and Cairns (n=47) were recruited via social media to participate in a questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed variables including: age, homeownership, social capital, self-efficacy, preparedness, resilience, psychological distress. Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to identify factors that predicted preparedness and individual level resilience. Results: No significant relationship was found between preparedness and psychological resilience. However, it was found that self-efficacy (although not related to preparedness) was correlated to both resilience and psychological distress and was the strongest predictor in the multiple regression model. Conclusions: These results suggest that in populations where weather threats are relatively severe and common, different factors influencedifferent components of social resilience. As high risk populations are usually more prepared (through experience) there should be a separation of focus between preparing for the event and preparing for the outcome. This study suggests that preparing for the outcome (promoting individual resilience) may be facilitated by increasing self-efficacy, locus of control and decreasing psychological distress

Investigating the influence of factors inhibiting environmental behavior and their relationship to workplace health

Background: While there has been a wealth of research exploring householdpro-environmental behavior (PEB), very little research has explored PEB in the workplace. This constitutes a considerable gap in the literature and in practice. Workplaces provide substantial opportunities for the implementation of behavioral interventions and policies. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a guiding framework, this study sought to identify the predictive validity of perceived behavioral control, environmental attitudes and norms on work-related PEB. Understanding the predictors of this rational behavior has implications for improving both environmental and health outcomes within the workplace. Method: Staff and students (N=198) from James Cook University, Townsville were recruited to participate in an online questionnaire that explored the attitudinal, normative and control factors associated with workplace PEB. Findings: The importance of attitudinal, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control factors varied depending on the type of PEB targeted. For example, subjective norms were particularly important for workplace recycling behaviors. Discussion: The TPB is useful in explaining some PEB due to the intentional and rational nature of environmental behavior. The findings further suggest that workplaces could act as a medium by which to enhance PEB through policy implementation at a micro level. Moreover, due to the nature of some PEB, this policy implementation may have spillover effects for individual health outcomes. The importance of encouraging home PEB may also have positive effects for workplace environmental behavior

Farming struggles and triumphs: recommendations from Australian farming families

The farming and grazing industry is an industry where there is a constant evolution of stressors, impacting on the farming families ability to remain resilient to these challenges, which is evident through the steady decline in the number of farming families in the past twenty years. Yet despite the growing number of adversities within the industry (i.e. climate change), some farming families still continue to persevere on the farm. However, due to limited research, little is known about the influence that the farming working lifestyle has upon farming families' well-being. It is important to identify factors that affect farming family well-being as this industry is a vital industry for the Australian economy and needs to be supported. Therefore, the determinants of farming families well-being and the identification of factors which buffer stress and assist in the perseverance of farming families was investigated. Interviews across Queensland and New South Wales were conducted with 53 members of farming families (M=28, F=25). As an outcome, themes were identified in relation to what skills and values farming families perceived farmers needed in order to be a successful farmer (Men = managing for the future, respect for land; Women = adaptability). Furthermore, informants reported how they identified with farming (Men & Women = it's who I am) and why they continued to farm (Men = lifestyle, pride in product; Women = lifestyle). As a result, it was proposed that those who had higher levels of commitment to farming and identified more closely with farming were more likely to be satisfied with their life and work and would be able to buffer stress more effectively