Nursing - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAn evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a sample of help-seeking men(POLSKIE TOWARZYSTWO PSYCHIATRYCZNE-POLISH SOC PSYCHIATRY, 2022-03)Aim of the study The Fear of COVID-19 Scale is a widely used measurement tool for related anxieties, however previous studies validating the scale report varying fit indices, often below accepted cut-off points. This suggests re-specification of the scale may be required. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the English-version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in a population of help-seeking males using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Subject or material and methods Data from 621 males aged 18-80 years (mean=38.23, SD=13.59) was collected via a cross-sectional open online survey. Along with the 7-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the PHQ-4 and PROMIS Anger Short Form were used to measure probable anxiety, depression and anger. Data were randomly partitioned into two subsamples and separate factor analyses were conducted with robust CFA corrections applied for non-normality. Results A 4-item single-factor version of the scale was identified reporting excellent model fit (R-RMSEA=.033, R-CFI=.998, R-TFI=.997, SRMR=.012) and good internal consistency (α=.86). Age and probable anxiety effects were observed. Discussion Relative to existing validation studies of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the present study provides improved psychometrics of the 4-item version of the scale, while scale means observed were comparable to other studies. Conclusions This study validates a 4-item version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess related anxieties in a help seeking male population. Future research should seek to validate the 4-item version in other subpopulations.
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ItemPromoting Healthier Masculinities as a Suicide Prevention Intervention in a Regional Australian Community: A Qualitative Study of Stakeholder Perspectives(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2021-12-08)Regionally-based Australian men have a higher risk of suicide than those in urban centers, with similar trends observed internationally. Adopting a place-based approach to understanding men's suicide and harm prevention provides contextual insights to guide localised opportunities for the development of tailored gender-specific interventions. Men in rural Australia are typically portrayed as embodying idealized masculinity-dominant and tough, upholding strength and stoicism in the face of hardship. Such values can increase suicide risk in men by reducing help-seeking. The Macedon Ranges Shire is an inner regional municipality with a population of approximately 50,000 people spanning across 10 regional towns and surrounding farming areas in Victoria, Australia. Understanding the influence of masculinities on men's wellbeing and help seeking behaviours in a regional context is vital in order to inform effective local suicide prevention efforts. The present research involved in-depth qualitative interviews with 19 community stakeholders (M = 49.89 years, SD = 11.82) predominantly working in healthcare and community services including emergency services and education. Using thematic analysis, interview transcripts were coded and themes inductively derived. Stakeholders identified three key areas for understanding suicide risk and wellbeing for local men; 1) localizing masculinities, 2) belonging in community, and 3) engaging men. Findings illustrate that addressing men's wellbeing in regional areas requires a multifaceted whole-of-community approach. While diverse, local expressions of masculinities were seen as contributors to men's challenges understanding their emotional worlds and reticence for help-seeking. Of vital need is to provide diverse opportunities for men to connect with others in the region, and offer inclusive spaces where men feel accepted, welcomed and able to meaningfully contribute to the community. Not only will this assist by bolstering men's sense of self, identity, and mental wellbeing, it may also provide valuable informal inroads to normalizing healthy communication around mental health and seeking mental health care. These findings offer important suggestions for the promotion of healthier masculinities in regionally-based Australian men, which may help to improve wellbeing of these men and their entire communities.
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ItemChallenges working with men: Australian therapists' perspectives(WILEY, 2021-12)OBJECTIVE: Emerging research highlights that therapists experience difficulty engaging and retaining male clients in talk therapy. Understanding therapists' challenges when working with men can inform gender-specific training efforts. METHODS: Open-ended qualitative survey data were collected from a sample of 421 Australian-based therapists. Participants described that which they find most challenging about therapeutic work with men. Responses were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were revealed: (1) men's wavering commitment and engagement; (2) males as ill-equipped for therapy; and (3) therapists' uncertainty. Contrasting state and trait constructs, much of the men's state-based wavering commitment and engagement was positioned as amenable to change whereas traits assigned men as ill-equipped for therapy and unreachable. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore a clear need to better target training efforts to directly respond to the needs of therapists working with men, such that all therapists are well-equipped to meet men with gender-sensitive therapy.