Clinical Research Projects Available for 2012
You can discuss potential Masters and PhD projects with any staff in the School of Psychology. Their
research interests can be found at: www.socsci.flinders.edu.au/psyc/staff/
There are also a variety of specific project areas that have been outlined below, some by external
supervisors, others by staff in the School of Psychology. Please note that any research offered by
external organizations will require an internal university supervisor, where relative supervisory input
will need to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Where a 1 appears as a superscript by the name
of the supervisor, this indicates that the supervisor is external and an internal university supervisor
will be required.
Projects Supervised by School of Psychology Staff
Michelle Arnold (Lecturer, School of Psychology): I am happy to discuss projects related to memory
processes and autobiographical memory, and I have a particular interest in metacognitive issues
(i.e., how well we monitor our own memory and knowledge). Some of my research projects have
included:
 exploring underlying processes in recovered memories
 monitoring and performance in test-taking situations
 exploring and separating out objective performance (e.g., how many memories you recalled)
from subjective performance (e.g., how it felt to recall those memories).
Mariëtte Berndsen (Lecturer, School of Psychology): My primary research interest lies in the social
psychology of emotions, which in general involves three approaches: First, how do other people and
our relationships with them influence our emotions over and above the emotional stimulus itself.
For example, if you fear that food could be contaminated and you see other people eating this food,
does this influence your fear (decrease, increase, or not)? And who are these other people (friends,
strangers, colleagues) and how important are they in influencing your fear?
Second: when, why, and how do people experience group-based (or collective) emotions, even when
they were not causally involved in the harm or injustice. For example, why can non-indigenous
Australians living nowadays experience guilt, and/or shame towards the Stolen Generation
(Indigenous Australians) and how does this impact on their willingness to social change towards
these victims?
Third, a relatively new approach reducing stereotypes about a specific group of people is to ask
individuals to take the perspective of this specific group. For example, describing a day of an older
person “by seeing the world through their eyes”, inhibited the use of stereotypes. It would be
interesting to see whether this perspective-taking attitude can also reduce stigma about hospitalised
persons.
Junwen Chen (Lecturer, School of Psychology): My research primarily focuses on anxiety disorders,
specifically social anxiety (disorder) and excessive worry, as well as the cross-cultural study of these
problems in different populations. In addition, I am also interested in the role of protective factors
for depression and anxiety in older adults and interventions related to this. For 2012, I am interested
in supervising projects related to these areas. Examples of potential projects are:
 developing and evaluating the effectiveness of different treatment techniques for social anxiety
and excessive worry;
 investigating the maintaining mechanisms of, and factors pertaining to social anxiety, excessive
worry (e.g., cognitive processes such as interpretation bias, attention bias, vulnerability)
Updated 29.2.2012
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undertaking a cross-cultural comparison of underlying factors and symptoms of these
disorders/problems.
Michael Gradisar (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology): Current projects that I would have an
interest in supervising would be associated with the research being conducted in the Child &
Adolescent Sleep Clinic, the Sleep Laboratory, and in Schools, including:
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exploring the familial histories of children and teens experiencing sleep disorders
group treatment of adolescents with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder with morning bright light
therapy
investigating dysfunctional cognitive processes of insomnia (eg, catastrophising, attentional
biases, misperception) in adolescents
motivational factors affecting treatment of adolescents with Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
individual differences in a simulated weekend sleep-in of adolescents with Delayed Sleep Phase
Disorder
does dose-dependent videogaming before bedtime produce equivalent adverse effects on
sleep?
evaluation of a school-based intervention for adolescent sleep problems: Does reducing barriers
to support improve treatment outcome?
Eva Kemps (Associate Professor, School of Psychology): I am interested in supervising projects in the
areas of food craving and eating behaviour, including disordered eating. Examples of potential
projects are:
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evaluating techniques for reducing food cravings and modifying eating behaviour
implicit processing of environmental food and eating cues in obesity
neuropsychological dysfunction in eating disorders.
Leon Lack (Professor, School of Psychology): sleep research and treatment of insomnia where the
present topic of interest is: Sleep/wake perception in insomnia Insomnia is a common and often
debilitating sleep disorder. One of the cognitive contributors to developing and maintaining
insomnia is the typical underestimation of total sleep time. We have studied the sleep/wake
misperception of insomnia and have pioneered the use of objective biological feedback of sleep at
the end of the night for the treatment of insomnia. The newest development is the use of new sleep
recording technology that can show the sleeper what sleep they have had at any time they wake
during the night. This immediate feedback promises to be even more effective in reducing anxiety
about sleep and improving sleep. This project is well-suited to a M. Psych. Thesis project and is
supported by a Flinders Research Grant. It will be conducted at the Repatriation Hospital’s Adelaide
Institute for Sleep Health within the Insomnia Treatment Program.
Mary Luszcz (Professor, School of Psychology): My research focuses on the psychology of ageing. My
interests span healthy (or productive, active, successful, normal) ageing in the cognitive and
affective domains, as well as early signs of ageing less than optimally. More details are available at:
http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/psyc/staff/MaryLuszcz/. Specific projects might encompass:
 relationships between mastery and ageing well
 mild cognitive impairment
 end of life issues
 social support and chronic illness
Updated 29.2.2012
These and a host of other topics can be researched using data available from the Australian
Longitudinal Study of Ageing or by devising original studies. Clinical Geropsychology is an area that is
in dire need of well-trained psychologists and the scope for research is very large. Clinically relevant
topics I have supervised in the past include indicators of sub- clinical cognitive decline, strategy use
in memory interventions, coping by cognitively intact residents in age-care facilities with confused
co-residents, how housing and living arrangements are linked to psychological well-being, and
psychosocial and neuropsychological outcomes after cardiac surgery. Each of these topics has
substantial scope for further study.
Robert Lynd-Stevenson (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology). My primary interest is to
investigate the role of cognitions in the aetiology of emotions. Although numerous treatmentoutcome studies have demonstrated that cognitive-behaviour therapy is effective in the treatment
of emotional disorders, current theories about the aetiology and amelioration of emotional
disorders have received little or no support (e.g., see Jacobson et al., 1996). In terms of research
projects for MPsych and Doctoral students, I would be interested in supervising research in the
following areas (if you’re curious, I can cite examples from the research literature to stimulate your
thinking):
 the role of threat cognitions in the aetiology of anxiety;
• sensitivity to criticism as an explanation for the relationship between perfectionism and
depressive affect;
• an investigation into the distinction between constructive and destructive anger. What
does constructive anger really measure?
 Another field of interest concerns the scientist-practitioner model. I would be interested in
supervising research which addresses the following issues (again, if you’re curious, I can cite
examples from the research literature to stimulate your thinking):
• the scientist-practitioner model doesn’t appear to be working as originally envisaged. In
what way (if at all) does the model actually work?
• what are the procedures presently followed around Australia for allocating students to
clinical placements in the community?
• why don’t many clinical psychologists offer placements?
• what are the factors that students consider make a good supervisor?
• what are the factors involved in generating student satisfaction with placements?
• what amount of psychopharmacology should be taught to clinical students?
Julie Mattiske (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology). For Masters projects, I am broadly interested
in anxiety, anxiety disorders, and health-related issues. I have supervised Masters projects in a range
of other areas including perfectionism, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence. I would be very
happy to serve as the internal co-supervisor for most of the nominated health projects, e.g.,
diabetes, oncology.
Reg Nixon (Associate Professor, School of Psychology): my primary interest is child and adult
response to traumatic stressors that can include (among others) physical and sexual assault, motor
vehicle accidents, losing relatives to homicide and combat/war-related trauma. I am specifically
interested in how psychological difficulties such as acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) develop following trauma, and in the treatment of these disorders. I am
currently researching memory in traumatised children, treatment of posttraumatic stress in adults
and children, intrusive memory in traumatised adults etc.
Updated 29.2.2012
Julie Robinson (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology): is interested in supervising students in the
following areas: well-being of child refugees and child migrants, applications of psychology to
palliative care, adolescents coping with stressful situations (e.g., preparation for Year 12
examinations).
Melanie Takarangi (Lecturer, School of Psychology): My research focuses on using cognitive
processes—particularly memory distortion—to help understand real world issues arising in (mainly)
forensic settings. More specifically, my research interests include offender, witness and victim
memory for crime-related experiences (particularly aggression and violence); distortions in
traumatic memory; the impact of alcohol on memory; attitudes towards wrongful conviction; and
other legal implications of false memory. I am also interested in expectancy (e.g., placebo) effects on
memory, behaviour, and psychological well-being. I am happy to discuss supervision of projects that
fall within the above research areas. If you are interested in meeting with me to discuss project
ideas, please sign up for an appointment at: http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/vxmwe
Marika Tiggemann (Professor in Psychology): I am interested in supervising projects in the broad
area of body image. Specific interests include media effects, sexualisation of children, adult women,
and applications of Objectification Theory. There is also the possibility that there will be a PhD
Scholarship or top-up available (not yet advised) through OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) to
look at the effects of weighing and measuring children (to be co-supervised with Dr Nicola Spurrier).
Tracey Wade (Professor, School of Psychology): I am happy to discuss projects related to the
epidemiology, prevention and treatment of eating disorders, as well as risk factors and the relation
of perfectionism to disordered eating.
Michael Wenzel (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology): My research currently focuses on responses
to victimizations and transgressions in interpersonal or intergroup contexts. Specifically, I am
interested in forgiveness (and self-forgiveness) and the functions it has for the restoration of justice
perceptions, human needs, relationships and identities.
Tim Windsor (Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology): My research interests are concerned with
changes in social behaviour and emotion regulation that occur during adulthood and ageing. I would
be most interested in supervising a project that is based on the analysis of existing data collected as
part of ongoing projects (e.g., the Transitions in Later Life (TRAILLs) project). A project of this type
would not involve a data collection phase, but would be likely to require the development of new
skills in methods for analysis of data. Possible projects would be concerned with how different
psychosocial characteristics and resources (e.g., social support, mastery beliefs, aspects of
personality) relate to mental health and well being in middle and older adulthood.
Robyn Young (Associate Professor, School of Psychology): My research in the area of intelligence
and individual differences has led me to the area of Autism and other Pervasive Developmental
Disorders (PDD). Primarily I am involved in the early diagnosis of Autistic Disorder (AD) and have
developed a tool (the ADEC) to assess AD in children under two years. Further, I am interested in
the development of early intervention programs among this population. My research interests
extend to all areas of atypical development in children and I have also supervised studies that
examine the impact having a child with a disability has on other family members. I also have
interests in sport psychology. I also have an interest in childhood trauma, and its long term impact.
Specific projects might involve follow ups of children involved in the Early Intervention Program at
Flinders, validity of diagnoses and measures used. I am also interested in examining the incidence of
persons with autism being involved with the law; either perpetrators or victims.
Updated 29.2.2012
Prof Mike Nicholls (Professor, School of Psychology), Dr Nicole Thomas, Dr Toby Loetscher
(Postdoctoral researchers)
The influence of pictorial cues on bisection judgments.
Patients with right parietal cortex damage show a bias toward the right, neglecting part of the left
side of either objects or space. These biases can occur in both near and far space, or alternatively
can be isolated to either near or far space. Similar biases are observed among neurologically normal
people in that they show an attentional bias to the left side. When examining space-based
differences, it has been shown that the left bias shifts to a right side bias in far space. It is believed
that the attentional biases seen in clinical neglect and those seen in the genereal population are the
result of similar neural mechanisms and therefore the left bias is referred to as pseudoneglect. This
project will investigate whether attentional biases can be altered by using images and descriptions
to induce near and far distance contexts. Prior work suggests that images which induce a
representation of either near or far space might alter attentional biases as they would in actual near
or far space. It is also believed that written descriptions can be used to create a context in which
participants are imaging an object as being in either near or far space. The project will involve
administering 2 experiments, which will each involve about 20 participants drawn from the first year
pool. Both tasks would be conducted on a computer.
Potential students should have an interest in the brain and cognition. Some basic computing skills
will be an advantage – though the programming will be done by us.
Prof Mike Nicholls (Professor, School of Psychology), Dr Nicole Thomas, Dr Toby Loetscher
(Postdoctoral researchers)
How the presence of others affects our perception
Traditionally cognitive scientists investigate the mechanisms of perception and action in individual
subjects. There is some evidence, however, that the mere presence of other individuals can change
how we perceive and attend to stimuli. This project will investigate how the presence of a second
person affects one’s spatial judgments. Among the questions the project aims to address are: Does a
person sitting to the left bias one’s spatial judgments to that side? How does competing (or
collaborating) with a second person affect an individual’s spatial judgment? Addressing these
questions will make an important contribution in our understanding of how the mind interacts with
the world. Ultimately, investigating the impact of social context upon perception and action might
help to better understand disorders of social functions such as autism.
The project will involve administering 2 or 3 experiments, which will each involve about 12 pairs of
participants drawn from the first year pool. The task will be run on a computer.
Potential students should have an interest in the brain and cognition. Some basic computing skills
will be an advantage – though the programming will be done by us.
Reading
Knoblich, G. and N. Sebanz (2006). "The social nature of perception and action." Current Directions
in Psychological Science 15(3): 99-104.
Prof Mike Nicholls (Professor, School of Psychology), Dr Nicole Thomas, Dr Toby Loetscher
(Postdoctoral researchers)
Sight n’ sound: How different senses are represented in space by the brain
Following damage to the right parietal cortex, patients can experience symptoms of spatial neglect
where they fail to attend to stimuli located in the left hemispace. This neglect is multi-modal and can
affect stimuli in visual and auditory space. The general population also shows an attentional
asymmetry – but in this case the too much attention is paid to the left. This attentional bias is
thought to involve similar cognitive and neural mechanisms to clinical neglect – and for this reason,
Updated 29.2.2012
it is often referred to as pseudoneglect. This project will examine the links between visual and
auditory attention and their effect on pseudoneglect. Recent research by Sosa et al. (2010) suggests
that there is a leftward bias for vision and a rightward bias for audition. However, they failed to
control for a number of differences between the tasks such as: (a) the distance at which the stimuli
were presented, (b) the length of the stimuli, (c) eye movements, (d) the type of response – to name
a few. The project will involve administering 2 or 3 experiments, which will each involve about 20
participants drawn from the first year pool. The task will be run on a computer.
Potential students should have an interest in the brain and cognition. Some basic computing skills
will be an advantage – though the programming will be done by us.
Reading:
Sosa, Y., Teder-Sälejärvi, W.A., & McCourt, M.E. (2010). Biases of spatial attention in vision and
audition. Brain & Cognition, 73(3), 229-235.
Projects Supervised by Adjunct Staff
Richard Clark1 (Professor, richard.clark@flinders.edu.au or 08-8410 6500). We have a number of
projects in the area of clinical cognitive neuroscience examining the relationship between brain and
cognitive function in health and disease, using data from a well established integrative neuroscience
database. See also the final page of this document for a specific description of a project investigating
emotional wellbeing in twins.
Nadia Corsini1 (Research Scientist, CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences; P: 8303 8817, E:
nadia.corsini@csiro.au). I would be interested in supervising a project investigating psychological
determinants, processes or influences on food choices or health-related decision making. Health
behaviours could include food avoidance, vegetable consumption, energy-dense food intake or
other area of interest.
Hayley Dohnt1 (Clinical Coordinator, Child Protection Services *CPS+, Women’s and Children’s
Hospital, ph: 8161 7346, hayley.dohnt@health.sa.gov.au ): I currently work at the CPS and would be
interested in speaking with anyone who is interested in a study of child abuse and trauma. I also
have a strong research interest in child and adolescent sleep, and would be willing to discuss
research options with interested individuals.
Margaret Hartstone1 (North and Northeast Adult Mental Health Service;
margaret.hartstone@health.sa.gov.au): developing new projects with Borderline Personality
Disorder. We run DBT skills groups and are interested in exploring the effective components of
these programs. I would also be interested in some investigation of why therapists find DBT such a
rewarding therapeutic approach.
Rita Princi1 (Registered Psychologist, Princi Consulting, 441 Fullarton Road, HIGHGATE SA 5063
Telephone: (08) 8377 7755; Facsimile: (08) 8377 7855; email: rita@princiconsulting.com.au).
Interested in supervising projects related to:
 The effects of early sexualisation of children in the media on their cognitive, emotional and
social development
 Children with chronic illness: the difficulties faced by children in remission with regard to return
to school i.e., academically, socially, emotionally
Robyn Vast1 (Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO; P: 8303 8832, E: robyn.vast@csiro.au or
robyn.vast@flinders.edu.au). My current research interests include developing and evaluating
Updated 29.2.2012
interventions and programs for health related behaviour change. In particular, I am interested in diet
and exercise behaviours, evaluating metacognitive strategies and psychological treatments for
obesity (and related chronic diseases), and developing programs to bring about healthy and
sustainable lifestyle change within this population.
I am available for supervision of student projects in 2011. A few examples of potential projects may
include:
Examining preferences of overweight/obese individuals (and the factors underlying these
preferences) for different therapeutic approaches (i.e., cognitive behaviour therapies, acceptance
based therapies, mindfulness based therapies) for the treatment and management of obesity. For a
similar study see: Becker, C. B., Darius, E., & Schaumberg, K. (2007). An analog study of patient
preferences for exposure versus alternative treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. Behaviour
Research and Therapy, 45, 2861-2873.
Evaluating the effectiveness of distraction- and acceptance-based cognitive strategies for exercise
tolerance (task persistence), perceived exertion, motivation and affect. For a related reference see:
LaCaille, R. A., Masters, K. S., & Heath, E. M. (2004). Effects of cognitive strategy and exercise setting
on running performance, perceived exertion, affect and satisfaction. Psychology of Sport & Exercise,
5, 461-476. Or, for a similar study design investigating body dissatisfaction see: Wade, T., George, W.
M., & Atkinson, M. (2009). A randomised controlled trial of brief interventions for body
dissatisfaction. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 845-854.
Simon Wilksch1 (Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Psychology, Flinders University;
simon.wilksch@flinders.edu.au, 8201 7996). My main interest area is the prevention and treatment
of eating disorders. My current work involves developing and evaluating school-based prevention
programs for both eating disorders and obesity. In 2011, there is an opportunity to be involved in
the evaluation of these programs, or a related topic such as looking at risk factors for eating
disorders. (Co-supervisor: Tracey Wade).
Potential Projects Offered by External Supervisors / Organisations
Rob Baker1 (Director, Cardiac Surgery Research Unit, Flinders Private Hospital email:
Rob.Baker@flinders.edu.au, ph: 84042015): The Cardiac Surgery Unit at Flinders has been exploring
the role of mood, and specifically depression, on cardiac patient outcomes for a number of years.
Opportunity exist over the next few years to develop our ongoing interests examining those factors
which impact on our patients after discharge from hospital. We also have project areas available
looking at the development of interventions to help our post Cardiac surgical patients. Our unit has
a large database of surgical patients who have undergone assessments with several measures of
quality of life and mood symptoms, at a number of different timepoints. The Unit has an advanced
database available with detailed demographic and clinical information in addition to psychological
variables. The surgical unit has a strong track record of published research in this area.
Dianna Bartsch1, Psychologist, Port Adelaide Mental Health Services, Phone: (08) 8222 8924 ; Fax:
(08) 8222 8910 ; Email : dianna.bartsch@health.sa.gov.au. I am seeking expressions of interest from
a Psychology Masters/Doctorate student as we are looking for someone to evaluate our Dialectical
Behaviour Therapy Skills Training Group for Borderline Personality Disorder. The next group will
commence in January 2010 and we also have data from the past 4 groups which has yet to be
evaluated. If a student is interested in the project could they contact me on 8222 8924 or via email
on to discuss potential projects.
Updated 29.2.2012
Carlene Wilson1, Professor, Foundation Chair of Cancer Prevention, Tel: 8204 6721; Email
Carlene.Wilson@flinders.edu.au. The research topics I am interested in supervising students in are:
(1) Increasing primary and secondary prevention of cancer through targeted behavioural
interventions; (2) Examining the variables that impact upon dietary and lifestyle decision-making and
how these might be influenced, and (3) Evaluating the impact of various dietary, nutritional and
lifestyle choices on aspects of cognition and affect in various demographic groups.
Michelle Martin1, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Phone: 8222 2948, Fax: 8222 5924; email: Michelle.Martin@health.sa.gov.au
The project is looking at the use of MBCT with chronic pain patients, which in itself is quite unique as
we’re using MBCT and not MBSR. We’ve aimed this group program at our patients who have
histories of anxiety, depression or stress-related issues, or current mild to moderate issues in these
areas. The numbers are unfortunately small, but there is scope to analyse past data and then to
utilise a new psychometric package. I have quite a few ideas on the direction the project could go,
and am happy to meet with any students to discuss further. I’m also happy to speak with any
students who are interested in the pain field if they have any other project ideas.
Simon McMahon1, Business and Systems Coordinator Adelaide Northern headspace, Adelaide
Northern Division of General Practice). Phone: 08 8252 9444; Fax: 08 8252 9433; Email:
smcmahon@andgp.org.au
I am looking to evaluate a universal mental health promotion program to prevent depression and
anxiety related mental health problems. The program uses he framework for Prevention, Promotion
and early Intervention (Department of Health and Ageing) and evidenced based research from
journal reviews (and more). The program is delivered as a facilitation based workshop to adults in
the labour force. The evaluation would focus on impact and outcomes using quantitative and
qualitative measures.
Katya Schiavone - Lead Clinician (Psychology), Child & Youth Service, Disability Services, ph:
83486500; email: katya.schiavone@dfc.sa.gov.au
Specialist Services for Children and Youth provide assessment and therapeutic services to children
who are at risk of school or community exclusion or family breakdown, due to the child's challenging
behaviour. We have two possible Masters or Phd project ideas:
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The relationship between client need, client responsivity and service delivery outcomes and the
possible predictors of service delivery outcomes.
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Evaluating service delivery outcomes for our clients, and specifically understanding which age
groups and sub populations the positive behaviour support model is most effective with.
FLINDERS MEDICAL CENTRE – POTENTIAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS
Please note: FMC researchers are classified as external supervisors so internal supervisors from the
Flinders University School of Psychology must be involved in this research.
Bogda Koczwara ( Professor and Head, Department of Medical Oncology, Director, Cancer Services,
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park SA
5042, Ph: 61-8 - 8204 8997, email: Bogda.Koczwara@health.sa.gov.au;
www.flinders.edu.au/people/bogda.koczwara )
Updated 29.2.2012
Professor Koczwara has an interest in the care of cancer survivors in particular needs of young
cancer survivors and rehabilitation needs of survivors. There are opportunities for research related
to all aspects of survivors care. Examples of specific projects are listed below: *
Attitudes and barriers to exercise among cancer survivors. There is high level evidence that exercise
is associated with improved cancer specific outcomes and improved survival but many cancer
survivors do not undertake the recommended amount of exercise. This study will explore the
reasons for non adherence to exercise among cancer survivors, and potentials enablers of uptake.
This project is linked with the larger study aimed at developing community based exercise
intervention for cancer survivors.
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Cancer and employment -Do pts value/miss work – a qualitative studyThis research explores the
meaning of employment for cancer patients and the impact of work loss as a result of cancer
diagnosis, barriers to return to workforce and strategies to facilitate work rehabilitation.The
research employs mixed methodology.
Improving communication between conventional and complementary care providers in the
cancer setting -Use of standardized correspondence with CAM providers . This research
investigates barriers and enables to effective communication between conventional and
complementary care providers and the utility of standardized communication template. Mixed
methods are employed.
Ethical dilemmas of oncologists. This study explores the ethical dilemmas of oncologists and
how they approach solving them. Mixed methods are used.
Kathy Moar, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Paediatrics, Kathy.Moar@health.sa.gov.au ;
Carolyn Cole, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Paediatrics, Carolyn.Cole @health.sa.gov.au.
There are opportunities for research on the following topics involving children and families at
Flinders Medical Centre:
NeoNatal Follow Up Unit: An existing database provides opportunities for research on a range of
topics associated with the developmental outcomes of children born pre-term or at a very low birthweight. These projects include:
 Behavioural outcomes at age 5 years and at 8 years.
 Academic achievement, are children born pre-term or at very low birth weight at risk of under
achieving academically?
 Within groups analysis of cognitive development at 5 years and 8 years of age.
Children’s Assessment Team: The CAT assesses children regarding concerns about developmental
difficulties and learning disorders. Diagnoses made by the Team include autism spectrum disorders,
attention deficit disorders, learning disorders, intellectual disability and global developmental delay,
speech and language impairment and a range of motor difficulties. There are opportunities for both
prospective studies with children assessed during the year, their families and referring professionals,
as well as retrospective studies of outcomes of children assessed in previous years. Projects could
include:
 Retrospective and prospective analyses of diagnostic outcomes, co morbid diagnoses, levels of
functional impairment shown by children
 Analysis of referral trends
 Expectations, understanding and satisfaction of referring agencies –qualitative and quantitative
analyses
 Factors influencing parental adjustment to diagnoses
Paediatrics Department: Childhood diabetes
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Adherence to treatment regimes
Response to individual and/ or group interventions
Psychological risk factors in short term and long term adjustment
Obesity
 Factors to be assessed prior to surgical intervention
 Adherence to treatment regimes
 What factors predict successful outcomes after gastric banding surgery
Dr Tony Kneebone, Chief Clinical Neuropsychologist, Flinders Medical Centre
Impact of cognitive impairment and mood state on medication compliance in elderly cancer
patients
This project will aim to identify the psychological and neurocognitive predictors of medication taking
compliance in cancer patients aged >65 years attending the FMC Oncology Clinic.
Fifty patients will undertake tests of short-term memory, prospective memory and executive
function prior to the commencement of treatment and at the completion of treatment 10 weeks
later. Questionnaires on mood state and subjective memory function will also be completed at these
times.
Administrative support and office space for patient consultation with be provided by the FMC
Oncology Clinic. Clinical staff will be available to consult with on medical matters pertinent to the
project.
For further information please contact Dr Tony Kneebone (ph. 8204 4576 or
tony.kneebone@health.sa.gov.au
IDEAS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH AT NOVITA CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Please note: Novita researchers are classified as external supervisors so internal supervisors from
the Flinders University School of Psychology must be involved in this research.
Contact: Violetta Hodges, Senior Psychologist, Novita Children's Services, (Formerly Crippled
Children's Association), Northern Region Office, Address:422 Salisbury Highway Parafield Gardens SA
5107. email: violetta.hodges@novita.org.au ph: 8182 1000; Fax: 8182 1010. There is also
opportunity for consideration of other topics related to childhood disability beyond those listed
below.
1. Factors in Parental Decision-Making about use of Psychological Services
It has been well known for many years that many people (including families of Novita clients) who
would benefit from a psychological service, choose not to use services that could help them.
Furthermore some parents of Novita clients are happy to participate in some service delivery
arrangements (e.g., individual counselling) but not others. The alternative arrangement may in fact
be best practice, or just allow more economic use of resources (e.g., parent workshops). The reasons
for this decision making are not well understood. Arguably, finding out the bases for such decisions
would enable psychologists to improve service presentation such that greater numbers of families in
Updated 29.2.2012
need will take them up, and, when resources can be saved using another format, the alternative can
also be presented in a more attractive way.
2. What makes good psychology advice?
Psychological advice is another one of the main products of psychologists’ service delivery at Novita.
Surveying the recipients of this advice about the quality, and what distinguishes higher quality advice
would help the psychologists, (and other Novita health professionals) improve how well they provide
one of their central service ‘products’. Furthermore I believe this would be relatively simple to
complete, while potentially leading to significant service improvements.
3. What makes a good psychology report?
Reports (usually presentations of assessment results and recommendations) are one of the main
(and perhaps the most tangible) products of psychologists’ service delivery at Novita. Surveying the
recipients of these reports (parents, teachers, Novita colleagues and other support workers) about
what distinguishes a good report from other reports would help the psychologists, (and other Novita
health professionals) improve how well they provide one of their central service ‘products’.
Furthermore I believe this would be relatively simple to complete, while potentially leading to
significant service improvements.
4. Cognitive Prerequisites
Identifying cognitive prerequisites for client’s successful participation in the common therapy
procedures conducted by Novita therapy staff. The procedures where this is most often an issue
have been identified in a earlier psychology Novita staff survey, and include mobility training (eg
powered wheelchair) and communication system training (eg. computerized augmentative
communication devices).
5. Behaviour Problems
Incidence, nature of specific types of behaviour problems among Novita clients. Predictors of their
occurrence and, interventions previously used with those children and their effectiveness. Possibly
an intervention trial- (eg single case designs). The types of problems where this would seem useful
include: Sleeping problems, Eating problems, Behaviour
problems in the context of intellectual disability (including severe & multiple disability, e.g., self
injury, screaming etc).
6. Family
Key family figures experience of support (Mothers, fathers, grandparents). Retrospective survey of
mothers (or other group) of children with disabilities’ life experiences to identify those which helped
them fullfill their caring role and deal with grief-related issues. From this could be derived a set of
implications for support workers/services. Note: This topic is being addressed in part, through a
study that used a mail survey to obtain information about the families’ experiences of services they
used to assist them to deal with psychological issues. Currently analyzing results. (December 2006)
7. Grief
Grief for children’s disabilities experienced by support workers themselves. Extent of this, and what
type of experiences that were found helpful.
Also at Novita:
Dr. Angela Crettenden; Angela.Crettenden@novita.org.au; P: 8243 8292.
I would be happy to offer supervision if students are interested in research projects around the area
of childhood disability. My area of focus at present is acquired brain injury and carer well-being,
Updated 29.2.2012
though I would also be keen for someone to help me develop a project relating to factors impacting
on the incidence of childhood injuries more generally (potentially in association with the Australian
Centre for Child Protection).
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING IN HEALTHY TWINS
For further information about the study and possible projects, please contact Professor Richard Clark
on 08-8410 6500 or richard.clark@flinders.edu.au. Prof. Clark has adjunct status with the School of
Psychology, Flinders University.
Rationale
Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are amongst the leading contributors to the burden
of disease across the world. Reduced wellbeing and problems with the processing of emotions are
some of the key characteristics of these illnesses.
The ‘Emotional Wellbeing Project’ is a large national ARC-Linkage project involving the School of
Psychology at Flinders University, the Brain Dynamics Centre (Westmead Millennium Institute,
University of Sydney), the POWMRI, the industry organisation Brain Resource Ltd and the Australian
Twins Registry.
This project aims to identify the gene, stress and brain markers that predict emotional wellbeing
over time. By examining healthy twins, we will be able to understand those factors that may protect
someone from becoming mentally ill, even if they have been exposed to some of these risk factors.
Participants
The study involves the testing of1500 healthy twins from 18 to 60 years (male-male or femalefemale pairs) of European ancestry. By ‘healthy’ we mean no current mental illness, or any other
current or past medical condition (including past brain injury, neurological disorder, genetic disorder,
or harmful drug or alcohol use). Twins need to be of European ethnicity (parents and grandparents
born in Europe or with European-only ancestry) because we will be analysing genetic variation, and
so we need to focus on one major ethnic group.
Study Timeline
Participants are being asked to complete some web-based tests and to provide a saliva sample to
assess their DNA, which they can mail back to the researchers. Together, this takes approximately 1
hour to complete. Following a 12-month period, participants are re-contacted and asked to repeat
the web-based tests again in their own time.
Up to 20% of participants will also be given the opportunity to participate in some further brain tests
at Westmead Hospital. These tests involve completing some simple computer tasks during an EEG
recording and/or a MRI brain scan. Each session takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to complete.
Participants are reimbursed for their travel expenses and provided a summary report of the
cognitive function of all participants involved.
Updated 29.2.2012
Opportunity for research students
This study provides a number of opportunities for research students to identify sub-projects that can
form the basis of their postgraduate thesis work.
hone:
work+61 8 82013736
Email:
tracey.wade@flinders.edu.au
Location:
Social Sciences North (388)
Postal address: GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia
Research Project involving MindMatters.
MindMatters is the national mental health initiative for secondary schools funded by the Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing and implemented by Principals Australia.
MindMatters is interested in exploring a number of issues summarised below.
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The impact of the MM youth empowerment process (YEP) on student mental health and/or
learning outcomes - eg we have anecdotal evidence to show that students involved in YEP
have had life changing experiences as a result of participation eg a letter from a mum who
said the workshop ‘saved my daughter’s life’, students reporting they have finally sought
help for MH issues, students re-thinking their future and choosing health related career
choices, increased engagement in school etc – let alone the impact of the wider action they
decide to take within their own school and community (eg supporting students transitioning
to the school).
The impact of teaching MM curriculum on student wellbeing and/or learning outcomes (a
small follow up to the Understanding Mental Illness classroom evaluation?)
The impact of MM SEL (social and emotional learning) curriculum on enhancing protective
factors of students
Whether Aboriginal learning outcomes can be improved by using MindMatters (curriculum,
whole school approaches etc) - we have successful projects operating in APY Lands in SA,
Tamworth and surrounds in NSW, Central Australia remote communities to name a few.
Whether diverse student populations’ outcomes can be improved through their school
engaging in MM (by diverse we mean same sex attraction, NESB, students with disabilities,
rural and remote, other cultural groups eg refugees)
Does the MM implementation framework provide a tool for change in high school settings?
How does the MM implementation framework reflect latest positive psychology research?
How effective are MM data tools in improving outcomes for students?
Any other ideas that help build the evidence base for MM
Contact:
Professor Tracey Wade, School of Psychology, Flinders University, (tracey.wade@flinders.edu.au)
Ph: 82013736
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