Peter Richard Gill

Marital status and suicidal ideation among Australian older adults: the mediating role of sense of belonging

BACKGROUND Marriage has been identified as a protective factor in relation to suicide among older adults. The current study aimed to investigate whether sense of belonging mediated the marital status-suicidal ideation relationship, and whether gender moderated the mediation model. It was hypothesized that the relationship between being widowed and lower levels of sense of belonging, and between lower levels of belonging and higher levels of suicidal ideation, would be stronger for older men than older women. METHODS A community sample of Australian men (n = 286) and women (n = 383) aged from 65 to 98 years completed the psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the suicide subscale of the General Health Questionnaire. RESULTS The results supported the moderated mediation model, with gender influencing the marital status-sense of belonging relation. For men, widowhood was associated with lower levels of belongingness, whereas for women, marital status was unrelated to sense of belonging. CONCLUSIONS It would appear crucial to develop and implement interventions which assist older men to find new ways to feel important and valued after the death of their spouse.

Predicting Problem Gambling in Australian Adults Using a Multifaceted Model of Impulsivity

Impulsivity is a factor that has been linked strongly to problem gambling; however, conceptualization problems have impeded research in this area. Research suggests that there may be as many as five impulsivity subtypes and that some but not all of these subtypes are involved in problem gambling. This cross-sectional and correlational study used the multifaceted UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale as a predictor of problem gambling in a community (N = 200) sample of Australian adult gamblers. Of the five impulsivity subtypes, negative urgency, positive urgency and sensation seeking were found to be positively related to problem gambling, while lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance were unrelated. Multiple regression analyses revealed that positive urgency and negative urgency were the only significant predictors of problem gambling, suggesting that individuals who have the tendency to act rashly when in a positive or negative mood are more likely to display problem gambling behaviour. The results provide further evidence of the significant role of strong emotions in problem gambling. Further, it appears that problem gambling can be motivated both by the impulsive desire to avoid negative mood states and by the impulsive desire to maintain and enhance positive mood states.

“That whole macho male persona thing”: The role of insults in young Australian male friendships.

Same-sex friendship can increase an individual’s health, happiness, and sense of social connectedness. To date, few studies have explored young men’s accounts of their friendships and the communication strategies within close male friendships. The present qualitative study explored the ways in which 7 young, White, heterosexual, working/middle-class men from rural Victoria construct their understanding of their friendships and the discursive strategies used to signify meaning, specifically the role of insults, in close male friendships. Drawing on tools from discursive theory, thematic analysis of the data demonstrated that discursive strategies including insults, silences, and direct interrogation were used to signify closeness, gratefulness, concern, and masculinity and dominance. These discursive strategies are informed by hegemonic representations of masculinity, which the young men negotiate within everyday interactions with close male friends. The findings further support past research that suggests that in the absence of explicit verbal expression of closeness, male friendships can be intimate and psychosocially significant. It is suggested that health promotion in men should focus on informal spaces where men can enjoy each other’s company. By exploring the breadth of communication styles and strategies of men, we are better equipped to understand men’s needs.

Client-centred Case Management: How Much Makes a Difference to Outcomes for Homeless Jobseekers?

Abstract Case management has become the predominant model for attempting to improve outcomes for young adults experiencing both homelessness and unemployment. However, there is little evidence-based knowledge about how young adults respond to case management, and how much intervention is needed to be effective. This Australian study utilised quantitative government data to investigate the effects of the amount of case management on key outcomes. With a purposive sample of 224 people aged 18–35, this study compared four different amounts of YP4 case management service received over a three-year period. Participants were categorised into four groupings depending on the number of case management contacts they received: 0–5, 6–20, 21–40, and 41–156. The findings show some significant group variations over the course of the trial in the areas of employment and accommodation. Participants who received 20 or more contacts had significantly better accommodation and employment outcomes than those who received fewer contacts.

Marital status and suicidal ideation among Australian older adults: the mediating role of sense of belonging – CORRIGENDUM

The authors regret errors in the reporting of the confidence intervals in the Results section. In relation to the first simple mediation model, the sentence “In this analysis, the β (95% CI) values of the direct effect and indirect effect of marital status on sense of belonging were 1.32 (−2.70, −0.05) and 0.72 (−1.43, −0.01), respectively.” Should read: “In this analysis, the β (95% CI) values of the direct effect and indirect effect of marital status on sense of belonging were 1.32 (−2.70, 0.05) and 0.72 (−1.43, 0.01), respectively.” In relation to the hypothesized mediation model, the sentence “The β (95% CI) values of the direct effect and indirect effect of marital status on suicidal ideation were 0.19 (−0.06, −0.43) and 0.22 (0.11, −0.35), respectively” should read: “The β (95% CI) values of the direct effect and indirect effect of marital status on suicidal ideation were 0.19 (−0.06, 0.43) and 0.22 (0.11, 0.35), respectively.” In relation to the moderated mediation model, the text “The relation between marital status and sense of belonging was significant for men as its bootstrapped 95% CI did not include zero (0.20, −0.67). In contrast, this relation was not significant for women as its bootstrapped 95% CI included zero (−0.03, −0.25)” should read: “The relation between marital status and sense of belonging was significant for men as its bootstrapped 95% CI did not include zero (0.20, 0.67). In contrast, this relation was not significant for women as its bootstrapped 95% CI included zero (−0.03, 0.25).”

Martial arts masters identify the essential components of training

ABSTRACT Background: Martial Arts (MA) have been touted as a beneficial psycho-social exercise and have been used in a number of training programmes and interventions. However, proving MA effectiveness through empirical research is hindered by difficulties defining exactly what students experience during MA training. As such, there is a need to define the essential components of the student experience, and to measure and quantify the learning associated with MA training. Purpose: This study aimed to explore what students are likely to experience during MA training. In particular, we give an insight into the thoughts and expectations of some of the MA most experienced practitioner-teachers. In identifying these facets of the student experience, future research may then be able to determine which facets are most effective in improving student self-regulation and wellbeing. Design: Four martial arts instructors from a broad range of disciplines, and (each) with over 30 years of teaching experience, were interviewed to gain insights into the typical student experience of martial arts training. Conclusions: Thematic analysis revealed ten components/ facets of the student experience of training. These components belonged to the three broader areas of physical experience, social expectations, and mindful training. These components if validated by future research may be used to form a quantitative survey measure of the MA student experience, and may ultimately allow researchers and practitioners to identify the more functional facets of MA training in relation to improving the student experience and students’ self-regulation skills.

UPPS-P facets of impulsivity and alcohol use patterns in college and noncollege emerging adults

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol use and related problems reach a peak in emerging adulthood. Impulsivity is a multifaceted construct known to be involved in emerging adult alcohol use. Few studies have examined impulsivity and alcohol use across both college attending and noncollege attending emerging adults. Objectives: To clarify the multifaceted nature of impulsivity and its links to emerging adult alcohol use, this study investigated whether the five distinct facets of the UPPS-P model of impulsivity were predictive of three different behavioral outcomes: alcohol intake, alcohol related problems and binge drinking. In addition, the moderating effects of college attendance were tested. Methods: A community sample comprising 273 Australian college and noncollege attendees (58.6% women; 41.4% men) aged between 18 and 30 years (Mage = 23.71, SD = 2.81). Results: Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that lack of premeditation predicted alcohol intake and binge drinking behavior, whilst positive and negative urgency predicted alcohol related problems. Moderation analyses revealed that the effects of impulsivity on alcohol patterns were consistent for college and noncollege attending emerging adults. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of impulsive urgency (both positive and negative) in emerging adult problematic alcohol use, and support the generalizability of college samples to broader emerging adult populations. Emerging adults may use alcohol to avoid negative mood states and further enhance positive mood states. Improved emotional regulation may help both college and non-college emerging adults reduce their alcohol use.