Research
Current Projects
Addressing Challenges of CBRNE Terrorism
Modelling Hazard Perceptions and Response
Assistance for Infirm, Disabled, and Elderly Residents (AIDER) Program Evaluation
Terrorism, Pandemic Influenza, and Global Warming: Future Conceptualisation and Societal Resilience
Education and Training for Mental Health Aspects of Terrorism and Disaster
Completed Projects
Terrorism & Pandemic Influenza: Population Risk Perception & Health Behaviour Determinants
Current Projects
Peer Counselling to improve feeding practices and reduce malnutrition in children 0-2 years in Bangladesh A/Prof Michael Dibley, Dr Iqbal Kabir, Dr Seema Mihrshahi, Dr Kingsley Agho, Dr Swapan Roy
Partner/Funding Body: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC 633229)
Period: 2010-2014
The aims of this research are to implement a peer counselling intervention for women in the third trimester of pregnancy in order: (a) to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and, (b) to improve child growth and reduce the prevalence of stunting for children from 0-2 years. The study will involve the implementing and intervention to promote and sustain optimal feeding in children aged 0-24 months. This will be based on a peer counselling project which has been developed in Bangladesh to improve feeding practices in infants aged 0-6 months. This intervention project will draw on the results of the secondary data analyses of Bangladesh DHS data conducted recently. Risk factors of suboptimal complementary feeding, together with formative research on cultural and societal factors in Bangladesh will be taken into account when designing the peer counselling materials for improving complementary feeding.
Addressing Challenges of CBRNE Terrorism
Partner/Funding Body: National Security Science and Technology Branch (NSST), Office of National Security, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Period: 2009-2010
This project builds on the pilot study already underway, and would include two components: A communications component, in collaboration with DSTO, examining potential ongoing and optimal ways of communicating with the community and dealing with the public to optimise their understanding and response; and a population survey in partnership with ANSTO, and NSW Health to examine perceptions, knowledge, and potential effective response and resilience. The survey would build on the current pilot study to develop core modules to monitor population and to inform planning response and resilience strategies.
Partner/Funding Body: NSW Health
Period: 2009-2012
The aim of this project is to research families and children and their experiences of an adaptions to individual and family adversities and to develop resources to build resilience and to mitigate mental health impacts. The prevalence, risk factors and mental health correlates of adversities will be examined in the population, followed by a specific and detailed examination of impacts of adversities in populations who may have special vulnerabilities in the face of adversities. Intervention strategies will build on strengths to meet challenges, both current and future, taking into account social and cultural needs, and will be specifically responsive for families.
Modelling Hazard Perceptions and Response
Partner/Funding Body: National Security Science and Technology Branch (NSST), Office of National Security, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Period: 2009-2011
This project is modelling population hazard perception to the potential threats of terrorism, pandemic influenza, drought and climate change. It is a follow-up project to a 2006/2007 baseline-gathering project funded by Emergency Management Australia, and published in a number of research group peer-reviewed publications. This project is re-assessing population threat perception and anticipated response to a range of threats and is looking at sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with these perceptions and behaviours, as well as assessing any changes over time. This project will provide useful high-level population data to assist first responder groups and agencies to acticipate and plan response strategies.
Data mining of anxiety disorders in the Australian population: sub-project of Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Anxiety and Neuroscience
Partner/Funding Body: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and in partnership with the University of New South Wales
Period: 2009-2010
The Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) co-ordinates and conducts clinical research programs examining extinction-based anxiety reduction through the direct modulation of neurotransmitters, as well as promoting research opportunities in this field within Australia. This sub-project of the CCRE involves data mining of national data bases to determine current prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in Australia, associated rates of health service utilisation and other key indices pertaining to these clinical presentations.
Assistance for Infirm, Disabled, and Elderly Residents (AIDER) Program Evaluation
Partner/Funding Body: Rural Fire Service of New South Wales
Period: 2009-2010
The Assistance for Infirm, Disabled, and Elderly Residents (AIDER) program is an initiative being piloted by the NSW Rural Fire Service during 2010. The aim of this program is to support more vulnerable members of the community by providing a one-off free service to create or maintain asset protection zones around their residental property. Around 400 members of the community will be assisted through this initiative and the DRR Research Group has been commissioned to support the evaluation of the psychosocial outcomes of the program. The evaluation report will be submitted to the NSW Government in Augusut 2010.
Burden of Disease Trajectories for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Problems Current and Future: Human and Economic Costs
Partner/Funding Body: Australian Health Management (AHM)
Period: 2007-2010
The aim of this research is to establish a comprehensive and systematic literature review and synthesise the findings of all high quality studies to date dealing with problems in childhood, their costs and burden, impact of development and continuity with and contribution to disorders in adult life. This review will utilise evidence-based criteria, include other relevant reviews and reports as well as the scientific publications, and assess positive and resilient as well as risk and vulnerability factors. It will examine relative risks, population attributable risks, and models of disorder and trajectory. This study will be a unique and potentially vitally important initative that can contribute to the mental health and well being of Australians, both in childhood and adult life. It will contribute to research development nationally for child and adolescent mental health and to policies and programs.
Terrorism, Pandemic Influenza, and Global Warming: Future Conceptualisation and Societal Resilience
Partner/Funding Body: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Period: 2007-2010
The research will assess the psychological impact of actual and anticipated terrorism and other diverse threats, and actions that can influence preparedness for such events. The research comprises three strands; one focussed on the general population and its perception of threat, how this affects views of the future, and anticipated vulnerability and resilience; a second focused on first responders who have an occupational exposure to threat and who may have a potentially more complex personal and professional response to these threats; and a third that involves a group that has been exposed directly to terrorism, through the Bali bombings, and will investigate their recovery from this, and their response to further potential threats. Outcomes from this project will provide a basis for the development of guidelines for effective psychosocial response in the event of terrorism or other mass adversity; it would lead to a better understanding of the perceptions, resources and interventions that promote individual and societal resilience in the face of key adversities.
Education and Training for Mental Health Aspects of Terrorism and Disaster
Partner/Funding Body: NSW Health
Period: 2007-2010
The aim of this program is to enhance the knowledge, skills and comptencies of those involved in planning and response to terrorism and disaster through the provision of an integrated education and training platform for Mental Health workers in New South Wales. The project will involve the establishment of updated evidence-based response guidelines for psychosocial response to disasters and terrorism. This will occur via the redevelopment & updated of NSW Disaster Mental Health Manual (2000). Content for these guidelines will inform the development of a three level training program focusing on the needs of
1) health workers
2) mental health clinicians
3) senior clinicians and disaster management co-ordinators
Completed Projects
Psychological Best Practice Guidelines for Response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents
Partner/Funding Body: National Security Science and Technology Branch (NSST), Office of National Security, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Period: 2006-2008
To develop and disseminate in partnership with National, State & Territory counter terrorism agencies, psychological guidelines, field-level decision support tools and a training module to support first responder preparedness and response regarding the psychosocial aspects of CBRNE terrorism and related threats.
Terrorism & Pandemic Influenza: Population Risk Perception & Health Behaviour Determinants
Partner/Funding Body: Emergency Management Australia (EMA) and NSW Department of Health
Period: 2006-2007
The objective of this project was to develop a community survey module ('SAFE' - Secure Against Fear Exposure) in order to establish population-level baseline data regarding threat perceptions and ancitipated protective behaviours in relation to a range of potential future adversities, including: terrorism, pandemic influenza, climate change and drought. Working in collaboration with staff at the NSW Health Centre for Epidemiology and Research, this survey was conducted with over 2000 NSW residents as part of the NSW Health Survey during 2007. Findings for the study have been reported widely and a follow-up survey (SAFE II) was completed in early 2010.
