Rhonda Shaw

Age‐related change in visual, spatial and verbal memory

Objectives:  To explore the relationship between age and performance on verbal, visual and spatial memory tasks and to examine whether verbal, visual and spatial memory can be measured as separate memory representations.

When the treatment stops: A qualitative study of life post breast cancer treatment.

Public attention focuses on breast cancer treatment and fundraising; however, there is limited discussion about life post-treatment. Once treatment is complete, there can be societal expectations of newfound wellness. To understand this phenomenon, the narratives of nine women post-treatment were explored. Analysis revealed the adoption of the sick role by the participants, the vulnerability experienced with the cessation of treatment, the disturbance of moving on from the security of the medical system and the patient and doctor relationship. Findings emphasised that survivorship can remain challenging and can present adverse psychosocial implications for women and those close to them.

I Think It's a Communal Thing: Men's Friendships in Later Life

Mens friendships have traditionally been described as being activity-based but little research has examined older mens friendships. The current study aimed to explore meanings of friendship with older men who belonged to formal mens groups or not. A thematic analysis of focus group data identified three manifest themes (constructing friendship: friends, mates or acquaintances; the dynamic nature of friendship; and the importance or beneficence of friendship) and one latent theme (community of men). Friendship was constructed as a multifaceted concept contingent on context. The importance of maintaining friendships were discussed as either self-driven or the responsibility of the other. Talking to like-minded men, regardless of group membership, was valued not just for doing activities but for the emotional support it provided.

Mapping the funding and communication practices of aged care services in a regional Australian community

Abstract The population of Australia is ageing and as a consequence higher demands are being placed on aged and community care services. The current research aimed to examine the funding sources and communication links between aged and community care services within a regional centre in Central West NSW. Sixty-three age and community services were identified and contacted. Each were asked questions about sources of funding and whether or not they communicated, either formally or informally, with other services in the area. The results revealed a complex pattern of funding whereby most (49%) were funded by multiple sources at varying levels of government, or by for- or not-for-profit organisations. This pattern of funding discourages communication between services which, in turn, can lead to duplication of services. The aged-care system in this region remains a fragmented system that urgently requires changes be made to the way it is funded.

Systematic review of aged care interventions for older prisoners

The care of older prisoners is a growing problem. This review examined aged care interventions in prisons.

Ageing in corrective services: from the perspective of prison chaplains

The number of older inmates in New South Wales prisons has increased over the past ten years but it is unclear whether corrective services can cater for the increase. The current study reports the results of a qualitative study about ageing in prison. Eight prison chaplains from four corrective facilities in NSW were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The results of a thematic analysis revealed four main themes: the system, the services, the environment and the inmate. The themes reveal a system that is not designed to cope with an ageing population. Inmates become resentful of what has happened to them rather than for the damage they have done to somebody else. The system lacks processes and programmes to enable proper rehabilitation. The issues raised by the chaplains in terms of services, the environment and the inmates decrease the possibility that an older inmate will adapt to the environment and successfully age in place.

Unique needs: Salvation Army officers in retirement and end-of-life care

ABSTRACT Retirement is a major life transition. On this point there is general agreement. But what about retirement for clergy and those who serve in the church? Perhaps a few see ministry as a job; then the change would be much like a worker ceasing paid employment. However, does being ordained, having a respected leadership role in the church, and serving God bring some unique dynamics to this transition? In this article we try to identify such factors using a large sample of Australian Salvation Army officers.

Differential influences of the facets of religious and spiritual beliefs on salvation army officers’ quality of life

ABSTRACT Salvation Army officers often work in stressful situations which are likely to impact on wellbeing. No research has examined the buffering effects of the officers’ strong religious and spiritual beliefs on this relationship. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and religious and spiritual beliefs among current and retired Salvation Army officers from the Australian Eastern Territory. Two hundred and seventy officers aged between 30 and 93 years (153 males and 102 females) completed the WHOQOL-BREF1 and the WHOQOL-SRPB.2 The results of the analyses revealed positive relationships between religious and spiritual QoL, the eight facets of the WHOQOL-SRPB, overall QoL and each of the four WHOQOL-BREF domains. The results showed that the facets of religious and spiritual QoL made differential contributions to QoL, and the QoL domains. Hope and optimism was the only facet to predict physical and environment QoL in regression analyses. It was also a significant predictor, along with inner peace and meaning and purpose in life, of psychological QoL. Wholeness and integration, spiritual strength and faith significantly predicted the social relationship domain. However, the relationship with spiritual strength and social relationships was mediated by wholeness and integration. Spiritual connection did not significantly predict any of the QoL domains. Religious and spiritual beliefs are important for Salvation Army officers maintaining a high level of QoL in the face of stressful work environments. However, the different facets of religion and spirituality play different roles in this relationship and need to be examined individually. This is particularly important given that religious and spiritual beliefs may help officers cope with stressful work situations.

Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy: What Is It and Who Is Responsible?: Older Adults’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy

Objective This study aimed to explore older peoples’ attitudes towards, and understanding of, psychotherapy and their willingness to seek out psychological services for themselves. Method A total of 14 older adults, 10 women and 4 men, aged from 65 to 89 years, participated in semi‐structured interviews which were guided by a set of open‐ended questions. Results Thematic analysis identified three themes: the GP as the primary but problematic access point; unfamiliar terminology/familiar concept; and changing attitudes/lingering stigma. The General Practitioner was identified as the primary contact for accessing mental health services. Most participants were reluctant to disclose emotional concerns to their doctor and GPs were seen as responsible for initiating discussions about mental health. Lack of enquiry by GPs, short consultation times and unfamiliarity with psychological terminology were considered barriers for accessing treatment. Participants mostly held positive and accepting views of psychotherapy but a lingering stigma, based on historical values of stoicism and self‐reliance, was evident. Reductions in societal stigma were attributed to increased exposure to mental health information via the media, however, participants appeared to confuse psychological services with counselling as this was a term that most were familiar with. Conclusions Health professionals need to be mindful of the terminology they use when communicating with older adults about mental health to avoid confusion. Media initiatives do lead to improved mental health literacy and a reduction of the stigma around mental illness but they also need to distinguish between available services, for example, counselling and psychological services.

Applying Cognitive Science to Critical Thinking among Higher Education Students

One of the main aims of higher education is for students to develop their analytical and critical thinking in order for graduates to function as competent professionals (e.g., Burton, Westen, and Kowalski 2012). The importance of this supposed generic skill is reflected in the ubiquitous inclusion of critical thinking as a graduate capability in universities (Moore 2011). While there exist many ways of defining and understanding critical thinking, at its core, critical thinking involves addressing our assumptions about how the world works. It is, therefore, essential for competent practice as a professional (Moon 2008). Without exposure to effective training in critical thinking, assumptions are more often than not based on the cognitive biases that are either inherent or conditioned through experience. The cognitive and emotional processes underpinning biases in thinking are often difficult to overcome. Our natural tendency to take mental shortcuts has allowed us to effectively navigate our environment and process only those stimuli that are of immediate value to us and to our survival. These shortcuts, however, often make it difficult for students to engage deeply with a complex concept, idea, or discipline in a higher education context. Ensuring that graduates are capable of thinking beyond their tendency to take mental shortcuts therefore poses a significant challenge for teaching critical thinking in higher education institutions.