K Norris

The Factors Predicting Stress, Anxiety and Depression in the Parents of Children with Autism.

The factors predicting stress, anxiety and depression in the parents of children with autism remain poorly understood. In this study, a cohort of 250 mothers and 229 fathers of one or more children with autism completed a questionnaire assessing reported parental mental health problems, locus of control, social support, perceived parent–child attachment, as well as autism symptom severity and perceived externalizing behaviours in the child with autism. Variables assessing parental cognitions and socioeconomic support were found to be more significant predictors of parental mental health problems than child-centric variables. A path model, describing the relationship between the dependent and independent variables, was found to be a good fit with the observed data for both mothers and fathers.

Future directions in Antarctic psychology research

Abstract Although existing research regarding the experience of Antarctic employment has primarily focused on the absence period (i.e. the period of time in which the expeditioner physically works in Antarctica), it has been repeatedly demonstrated that the majority of expeditioners experience positive outcomes associated with their time ‘on the ice’ despite transient (and frequently subclinical) physical, psychological, and social difficulties. Research strategies directed towards the individual experience of the expeditioner have not been able to fully account for the processes underpinning the adjustment processes that have facilitated seemingly resilient and growth outcomes. Similarly, insufficient research attention has been given to the separate phases of Antarctic employment, nor the potential interdependence between them, which may also provide further insight into these processes. To address these issues it has been argued that an approach incorporating individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors throughout the Antarctic employment experience, from pre-departure through absence, reunion, and reintegration, be adopted.

Risk factors for executive function difficulties in preschool and early school-age preterm children

To investigate the relationship between executive functioning and social and perinatal risk factors in four‐ to five‐year‐old preterm children.

Predicting positive and negative change in expeditioners at 2-months and 12-months post Antarctic employment

Extreme weather conditions and geographical isolation are among many factors that render Antarctica a challenging environment for employees to sustain optimum levels of functioning. However, challenges associated with Antarctic employment can extend beyond their time “on the ice” to influence post-Antarctic adjustment. The current study investigated predictors of positive and negative psychological change reported by expeditioners 2 and 12 months post-return from “the ice” to identify factors that influence adjustment following Antarctic employment. The sample comprised 383 (277 male, 106 female) expeditioners, recruited from Australian Antarctic programme between years 2005 and 2010. Scores on the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CiOQ) were examined at 2 and 12 months post-return. Results indicated that positive and negative psychological change at both time points was predicted by pre-departure and post-return factors, not by experiences whilst “on the ice”. It was also identified that predictors of positive and negative change differed as a function of relationship status. This indicates that expeditioners would benefit from proactive prevention and intervention strategies prior to departure and upon return from their employment, not simply whilst working in Antarctica. Additionally, the nature of such interventions needs to consider relationship status as a factor that can influence post-return adaptation and functioning.

Psychological assessment of intimate partner violence

Risk assessment is a controversial area of forensic practice, yet it has become an integral part of responding to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Given lethal consequences can arise from judicial decisions based on poorly executed risk assessments, it is incumbent on mental health practitioners to utilise best-practice methods and form evidence-based determinations of risk and intervention strategies. This article provides a best-practice guide to IPV risk assessment and summarises available information on the most prevalent IPV risk assessment measures for male and female offenders. The research indicates that caution is warranted as most risk assessment measures have not been normed for use outside North America or for female offenders, have small to moderate effect sizes, and a lack of adherence to administrative procedures and methodical rigour has undermined research findings. Nevertheless, structured risk assessment enhances the defensibility of expert opinion and is recommended.

Examining the relationship between performance-based and questionnaire assessments of executive function in young preterm children: Implications for clinical practice

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine whether specific performance-based executive function assessment tools were associated with executive functioning in everyday life as reported by parents and teachers of four- to five-year-old preterm and term children. At the age of 4 years, 141 preterm children born <33 weeks’ gestation and 77 term children were assessed using performance-based intelligence (WPPSI-III) and executive function (EF) assessment tools (NEPSY-II, Day-Night and Shape School tasks). The assessment results were compared with the parent and teacher completed questionnaires of EF (BRIEF-P) when the children started kindergarten at the age of 4 to 5 years. The performance-based intelligence and EF assessment results were not consistently associated with the parent and teacher reports of EF in everyday life for either preterm or term groups. Clinical implications of using and interpreting performance-based EF assessment tools and EF questionnaires are discussed with a particular focus on young preterm children at the commencement of formal schooling.

Characteristics and experiences of targeted parents of parental alienation from their own perspective: A systematic literature review

Objective The aims of this systematic literature review were to identify and synthesise all relevant information about targeted parents’ characteristics and experiences from their own perspective. Method The academic databases Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE‐ELSEVIER, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and conference abstracts were systematically searched from their inception until May 2018. The systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses protocol (PRISMA‐P) and was registered in PROSPERO (ID = CRD42017062533). Results Nine relevant articles were included after conducting inclusion criteria and quality assessment. Data were collated and analysed using guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. Conclusion Targeted parents report consistent stories about the nature of the alienation tactics used by alienating parents across the included studies. Targeted parents expressed dissatisfaction with legal and mental health system services available to them. Further, despite feeling despair, frustration, and isolation, targeted parents appear to be resilient and seek out positive coping strategies. This review showed that research on targeted parents from their own perspective is sparse, and more studies are needed.

Comparing ship versus plane-based personnel movement of Australian Antarctic expeditioners

Abstract The introduction of plane-based personnel movement within the Australian Antarctic programme via the intercontinental Antarctic Airlink to complement the existing ship-based transportation arrangements provided a unique opportunity to examine the impact of differing transportation methods on expeditioner health and well-being. This research investigated the response profiles of 88 Australian expeditioners who experienced different methods of transportation to and from Antarctica. Results indicated that the method of transportation to Antarctica had no significant impact on expeditioner well-being. In contrast, expeditioners who returned to Australia by plane reported significantly higher distress two-months post-return than those who returned by ship. However, there were no significant differences in expeditioner response profiles at 12-months post-return based on method of transportation. Implications of these findings for expeditioner training and support needs are discussed.

Time-dependent mood fluctuations in Antarctic personnel: a meta-analysis

The third-quarter phenomenon is the dominant theoretical model to explain the psychological impacts of deployment in Antarctica on personnel. It posits that detrimental symptoms to functioning, such as negative mood, increase gradually throughout deployment and peak at the third-quarter point, regardless of overall deployment length. However, there is equivocal support for the model. The current meta-analysis included data from 21 studies (involving 1,826 participants) measuring negative mood during deployment to elucidate this discrepancy. Across studies analyses were conducted on three data types: stratified by month using repeated-measured all time points metaanalytic techniques and pre/post-deployment data for summer/winter deployment seasons. Our results did not support the proposed parameters of the third-quarter phenomenon, as negative mood did not peak at the third-quarter point (August/September) of deployment. Overall effect sizes indicated that negative mood was greater at baseline than the end of deployment for summer and winter deployment seasons. These findings have theoretical and practical implications and should be used to guide future research, assisting in the development and modification of pre-existing prevention and intervention programmes to improve well-being and functioning of personnel during Antarctic deployment.

Push or pull? Unpacking the social compensation hypothesis of Internet use in an educational context

Individual differences such as social anxiety and extraversion have been shown to influence education outcomes. However, there has been limited investigation of the relationship between individual differences and attitudes towards online and offline learning. This study aimed to investigate for the first time how social anxiety and extraversion influence student attitudes to online and offline learning, specifically in relation to tertiary level practical activities. Based on the social compensation hypothesis, it was predicted that students with higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of social anxiety would report more favourable attitudes to face-to-face learning activities. It was further predicted that less extraverted and more socially anxious students would have more favourable attitudes to online learning activities. Undergraduate students (N=322, 67% female) completed the HEXACO-60 personality inventory, the Mini Social Phobia Inventory, and measures of attitudes towards online and offline activities. Two hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted. The first revealed that neither extraversion nor social anxiety contributed significantly to preference for online practical activities. The second regression revealed that greater emotionality, greater extraversion, greater conscientiousness, and lower levels of social anxiety were associated with more favourable attitudes towards face-to-face practical activities. In contrast to predictions, extraversion and social anxiety did not significantly contribute to attitudes to online learning activities. However, in line with predictions, greater extraversion and lower levels of social anxiety were associated with more favourable attitudes towards face-to-face practical activities. These findings indicate that online learning activities have limited compensatory effects for students who experience social discomfort, and that the social compensation hypothesis may apply within an educational framework, but in unexpected ways. Applies the social compensation hypothesis of Internet use as a theoretical paradigm.Examines role of social anxiety (SA) and extraversion in online and offline learning.Extraversion and SA not associated with attitudes to online activities.Extraversion and low SA positively predict face-to-face activity attitudes.Online learning has limited compensatory effects for socially anxious students.