Jennifer Tichon

The process of sharing social support in cyberspace

Mutual support is an interactional communication process. Taking an interactional approach to support requires group participants be viewed not only as targets and recipients but also as sources and providers of various types of support. An analysis was performed on the interactions of a group listserve and model of online interactional support. The aim was to explore the communication process children follow. The analysis revealed self-disclosure was used in the support group in three distinct ways. Its function for the support recipient is to initiate a transactional relationship with another member for the purpose of attracting social support through the open expression of concerns and frustrations. It is then used by the support provider to demonstrate that coping is possible for the recipient through the reciprocal self-disclosure of similar concerns and situations with which the member has successfully dealt. The third use of self-disclosure was to share reciprocal social companionship relationships.

With a little help from my friends: Children, the Internet and social support.

ABSTRACT This study documents the types and extent of social support messages exchanged by children and adolescents who participated in a computer-based support group. Using qualitative content analysis, the electronic mail posted in a 3-month period on a support listserv for young siblings of children with chronic health needs were observed and described. The content of the postings sent to Sibkids was analyzed to identify themes in how the young people used the listserv for support. Examples of social support types identified on the site are described. The largest percentage of these messages offered social companionship and emotional or informational support. Tangible assistance was not offered. The implications of this study for social support researchers and human service professionals are discussed.

Stress training and simulator complexity: why sometimes more is less

Through repeated practice under conditions similar to those in real-world settings, simulator training prepares an individual to maintain effective performance under stressful work conditions. Interfaces offering high fidelity and immersion can more closely reproduce real-world experiences and are generally believed to result in better learning outcomes. However, absolute fidelity in stress training is not critical for skills to be transferable. The present study compared the performance outcomes achieved by trainees using two different simulator types to complete a training program aimed at improving decision-making skills. The purpose of this research was to assess both the overall level of training effectiveness and to determine whether performance levels were influenced when high (160 degree curved wide screen) versus low fidelity (small cab-based flat screen) simulator types were in use. Sixty-three train drivers drove for 40 min on a simulated track on which they encountered four major high stress driving events. One year later, 42 of the original drivers returned and repeated the training scenario a second and third time. Results revealed trainees using the lower fidelity flat screen simulator made fewer errors in both years than trainees using the high fidelity curved screen simulator. The implications of these results are discussed.

Constructing the hallucinations of psychosis in virtual reality

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder affecting 1-2% of the population and it is estimated 12-16% of hospital beds in Australia are occupied by patients with psychosis. The suicide rate for patients with this diagnosis is higher than that of the general population. Any technique which enhances training and treatment of this disorder will have a significant societal and economic impact. A significant research project using Virtual Reality (VR), in which both visual and auditory hallucinations are simulated, is currently being undertaken at the University of Queensland. The virtual environments created by the new software are expected to enhance the experiential learning outcomes of medical students by enabling them to experience the inner world of a patient with psychosis. In addition the Virtual Environment has the potential to provide a technologically advanced therapeutic setting where behavioral, exposure therapies can be conducted with exactly controlled exposure stimuli with an expected reduction in risk of harm. This paper reports on the current work of the project, previous stages of software development and future educational and clinical applications of the Virtual Environments.

Predicting the efficacy of simulator-based training using a perceptual judgment task versus questionnaire-based measures of presence

The quality of a virtual environment, as characterized by factors such as presence and fidelity, is of interest to developers and users of simulators for many reasons, not least because both factors have been linked to improved outcomes in training as well as a reduced incidence of simulator sickness. Until recently, most approaches to measuring these factors have been based on subjective, postexposure questioning. This approach has, however, been criticized because of the shortcomings of self-report and the need to delay feedback or interrupt activity. To combat these problems, recent papers on the topic have proposed the use of behavioral measures to assess simulators and predict training outcomes. Following their lead, this paper makes use of a simple perceptual task in which users are asked to estimate their simulated speed within the environment. A longitudinal study of training outcomes using two of the simulators revealed systematic differences in task performance that matched differences measured using the perceptual task in a separate group of control subjects. A separate analysis of two standard presence questionnaires revealed that they were able to predict learning outcomes on a per individual basis, but that they were insensitive to the differences between the two simulators. The paper concludes by explaining how behavioral measures of the type proposed here can complement questionnaire-based studies, helping to motivate design aspects of new simulators, prompting changes to existing systems, and constraining training scenarios to maximize their efficacy.

The use of expert knowledge in the development of simulations for train driver training

The current study was undertaken to inform the development of simulations for improving train driver’s decision making under degraded track conditions. Trains are sophisticated heavy machinery and their performance is ever increasing resulting in the driving task becoming more complex and progressively dominated by cognitive and perceptual skills. A critical part of reducing the potential for train driver error and of increasing performance lies in the appropriate design of simulation training. In the current study a cognitive task analysis, using the critical decision method (CDM) was undertaken using a focus group research design. The process resulted in increased knowledge of expert train driver decision-making processes. Across four major incidents analyzed 11 decision points, 17 cues, 30 essential responsive actions and 45 possible errors where identified. The use of these results for supporting the design of simulation training and associated performance measures is discussed.

Internet social support for children and adolescents

The Internet is becoming increasingly commonplace in the lives of many young people in Western societies. The numbers of children and adolescents obtaining friendship and support from the Internet are expected to grow substantially. Young people generally require social support to be able to cope well with stress events. Because young people are using information technology at an ever-increasing rate it is important to gain a better understanding of their social support experiences within this technological context. Growing up with a child who has special needs can have adverse consequences for siblings. It can undermine their emotional and psychological wellbeing and social functioning. We have studied the online conversations of young individuals who participated in Sibkids, an online support group for children who have a sibling with special needs.

Plant operator simulation: benefits and drawbacks for a construction training organization

The civil construction industry in Australia is under pressure to attract, train and retain high numbers of skilled personnel. At the same time it is recognized as one of the most dangerous industries in the country. To counteract the safety issues and the labor shortages, plant operator training augmented by simulation is being investigated as an alternative to current training methods. Construction worksites using heavy excavation and earthmoving equipment are at risk of a multitude of potentially dangerous situations. A review of the literature on simulation reveals high benefits across other areas of industry using heavy, human-operated machinery such as rail and mining. This paper presents an initial preliminary case study to investigate the benefits and drawbacks experienced in the use of simulation in a current construction training program prior to the commencement of a rigorous larger-scale study being undertaken to investigate the human factors benefits of simulator training in construction. While building and construction’s use of simulation is in its infancy, a major training provider in Australia has introduced simulation as a key feature in their training programs to attract new entrants into construction careers, enhance safety and introduce the benefits of technology to a traditional area of training. Finally, the paper discusses the research approach that will be used to assess the larger study of simulation use in construction to train heavy plant operation.

Exploring how children express feelings and emotions in an online support group

The emotional content of childrens online messages is explored.Children found similar others online and often shared intimate emotional concerns.Children revealed difficulties in coping with conflicting emotions.Emotions confided included feeling hurt, confused, scared and jealous.Children felt confident in the online environment to express intense emotions. Support groups provide opportunities for participants to express and get in touch with their feelings and emotions. For children such groups provide a non-threatening environment in which they can share their feelings and concerns openly with one another. The wide range of social networking options made easily accessible via mobile technologies has seen children increasingly connecting with their peers in search of emotional support. For parents and professionals alike the question arises as to whether these online groups provide the positive support environment necessary to ensure children feel comfortable sharing their emotional concerns. In this study qualitative content analysis of the communications shared between the young members of an online support group for siblings of children with special needs revealed that participants felt confident to openly express a range of strong feelings and emotions, including hate, love, confusion, hurt, fear, jealousy and embarrassment.

Using feature extraction and electromyography to evaluate affect during simulation

Objective judgment and decision-making is an essential component for success in high stress environments such as defence, aviation and emergency medical response. Emotions such as fear and anxiety unless they are controlled can overwhelm even the most highly trained professional. Training designed to support and strengthen professionals against skill degradation through stress now often involves simulation where highly dangerous situations such as combat and critical medical emergencies can be safely replicated. However, despite the growing popularity of advanced training simulations, methods for evaluating their use rely heavily on subjective measures or analysis of final outcomes. This paper describes the technical aspects of pilot work recently undertaken to develop a new objective measurement tool designed to track individual affective levels during simulation-based training.