Psychological Research

Help is on the way: Support for individuals, couples and families in the community

As part of a tertiary institution the Psychology Clinic is committed to delivering evidence based psychological services. As such, we continually evaluate the services we offer to insure their quality and maximise their effectiveness. The Psychology Clinic also draws upon the skills of its practitioners to develop and tailor specialized treatment protocols that are based on the results of current psychological research. Some of the research and evaluation programs currently being evaluated at the Psychology Clinic are outlined below.

Clinical Reserach

• Clinic Outcomes Study
  This study conducted by Katie Wyman investigates how counselling impacts upon our clients psychological and physical well-being.
  
  

• Evaluation of the STOP Therapy Group for OCD
  This study conducted by Dr Michael Kyrios and Dr Maja Nedeljkovic evaluates the effectiveness of the Clinic' OCD group when delivered in a group format.
  
  

Online Reserach Projects

Currently counsellors at the Clinic are looking for people to participate in the following online reserach studies. Participating in research can be enjoyable, a way to volunteer in the community and provide an opportunity for personal reflection.

• E-mental health service users vs. traditional mental health services users: are there differences?
  This survey is interested in discovering whether differences exist between those people who would prefer to use e-mental health services to those people who would prefer to use traditional face-to-face mental health services. If you are 18 years or older and interested in participating in this survey, please follow the link to the survey.
  http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=5258
  
  
• Parental Perceptions of problem behaviour in children (aged 5 - 12)
  Diana Cornish is seeking mothers and fathers from a variety of different backgrounds to complete a survey on how parents perceive problem behaviours in primary school aged children aged between 5 and 12 years. The survey takes 30 minutes to complete and it can be accessed at: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=3890
  
  
• Managing your moods and emotions: What works?
  This PhD research is investigating the way in which people respond to their mood and emotional experiences and the impact of these responses on health and well-being. Understanding these sorts of processes is important in light of the finding that the mismanagement of moods and emotions underlies many psychological disorders. If you are 18 years and over and are interested in taking part in this research, there are two online surveys ready to be completed. You are invited to participate in either or both of these surveys, which are anonymous and available for responses until approximately 31 December 2008.To respond to the 20-minute survey that will form the core of this PhD research, or to find out more about the study, please go to the following link: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=4193.
  To respond to the 5-minute survey that is designed to assist in developing a new questionnaire for measuring responses to mood/emotional experiences, please go to the following link: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=4219.

• The Psychology of using the internet for cyber sex
  This research aims to examine the psychological characteristics of people who engage in cybersex activities, such as using adult chat lines, surfing for porn, erotic e-mailing and using web-cam. The study will examine how factors such as the duration and extent an individual engages in cybersex activities are related to psychological factors, such as loneliness, sexual anxiety and depression. If you are over the age of 18 you can participate in this study on an anonymous basis by clicking on the link above. At the end of the questionnaire there are a number of support services that you may contact if you suspect that your Cybersex activities are becoming problematic.
  

• Attitudes towards romantic relationships of couples with children
  This doctoral research examines factors that impact on the relationship satisfaction of couples with dependent children, such as emotions, feelings of closeness, and conflict resolution strategies. Karen Johnson is looking for couples who are currently in a marital or defacto relationship, have two or more dependent children who would both be willing to participate in the study to complete a confidential questionnaire online. The questionnaire can be accessed by clicking on the link above.