College of Healthcare Sciences
Lisa Shaw
- Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
- lisa.shaw@jcu.edu.au
Stephen Yu
- Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery
- stephen.yu@jcu.edu.au
Karen Smith
- Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery
- karen.smith6@jcu.edu.au
Chae Rose
- Lecturer, Psychology
- chae.rose@jcu.edu.au
Helen Petsky
- Head, Nursing and Midwifery
- helen.petsky@jcu.edu.au
Lucy Bird
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- lucy.bird@jcu.edu.au
Matthew Yau
- Adjunct Professor
- matthew.yau@jcu.edu.au
Alyssia Merrick
- Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
- alyssia.merrick@jcu.edu.au
Louise Myles
- Adjunct Lecturer
- louise.myles@jcu.edu.au
Sandra Dash
- Lecturer
- sandra.dash@jcu.edu.au
A sequential explanatory mixed methods approach to examining the experiences and perceptions of nurses treating persons who self-harm.
Nurses are often the initial provider of treatment and care to persons who self-harm. However, research suggests that the attitudes and perceptions of nurses towards people who self-harm is quite negative. This project aims to investigate and understand the experiences of nurses at Cairns Hospital who have treated persons that have self-harmed to inform the development of a potential future education intervention.
Predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants: biopsychosocial and cultural determinants
This prospective, cohort study aims to identify biopsychosocial and cultural factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants (32 weeks and zero days to 36 weeks and six days completed gestation). This area is largely underexamined compared to infants born at earlier gestations (Bills et al., 2021; Cheong et al., 2021). Neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLP infants will be screened and assessed using standardised psychometrics (e.g., Bayley-4 A&NZ; Bayley & Aylward, 2020), and biopsychosocial and cultural factors ascertained by validated scales (e.g., Parental Stress Scale; Berry & Jones, 1995). Multiple hierarchical regression will be conducted to develop a predictive model of neurodevelopment which may inform healthcare management approaches for MLP infants and their families. This project has received HREC approval, with project commencement pending approval of a SSA. The SSA requires the completion of a JCU/THHS research contract to be drafted by JCU Connect - of which this application has been lodged for.
The Impact of Daily Physical Activity and Sleep on Resting Heart Rate and Resting Heart Rate Variability in Individuals with High and Low Stress Load
It is known that regular physical activity decreases resting heart rate (RHR) and increases resting heart rate variability (HRV), while chronic stress increases RHR and decreases resting HRV. Although it is recommended that stressed individuals exercise to reduce their stress burden, it is unclear if they benefit from exercise to the same extent as those who do not experience stress overload.
A current gap in the literature is the lack of studies investigating cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in individuals with different chronic stress loads. The current project aims to investigate the differences in long-term ANS responses to daily physical activity in people experiencing high versus low chronic stress.
We hypothesize that individuals who experience chronic stress exhibit a blunted autonomic response (less decrease in RHR and less increase in resting HRV) to daily exercise due to an inability to regulate parasympathetic activation effectively. Therefore, in this regard they won’t benefit from regular exercise as much as those who don’t experience chronic stress, owing to their decreased autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity.
In order to test this hypothesis, we would like to benefit from the Tesserae dataset.
The Impact of Daily Physical Activity and Sleep on Resting Heart Rate and Resting Heart Rate Variability in Individuals with High and Low Stress Load
It is known that regular physical activity decreases resting heart rate (RHR) and increases resting heart rate variability (HRV), while chronic stress increases RHR and decreases resting HRV. Although it is recommended that stressed individuals exercise to reduce their stress burden, it is unclear if they benefit from exercise to the same extent as those who do not experience stress overload.
A current gap in the literature is the lack of studies investigating cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in individuals with different chronic stress loads. The current project aims to investigate the differences in long-term ANS responses to daily physical activity in people experiencing high versus low chronic stress.
We hypothesize that individuals who experience chronic stress exhibit a blunted autonomic response (less decrease in RHR and less increase in resting HRV) to daily exercise due to an inability to regulate parasympathetic activation effectively. Therefore, in this regard they won’t benefit from regular exercise as much as those who don’t experience chronic stress, owing to their decreased autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity.
In order to test this hypothesis, we would like to benefit from the Tesserae dataset.
Effectiveness and reliability of a synthetic data generation
Using YALE supplied data in order to reproduce a prior publication using a bootstrapping method for synthetic data generation.
Am I Talking to a Real Person? Experimental Investigations into Human Perceptions of Therapeutic Chatbots
Therapeutic chatbots could enhance the accessibility of psychological treatments, reducing wait times and costs; yet questions remain about user acceptance. Millet et al. (2023) highlight biases against AI-generated art, suggesting a similar bias may exist for perceptions of therapeutic chatbots. This program of experimental research will investigate whether therapeutic communications are perceived as less empathetic when attributed to therapeutic chatbots, as opposed to humans, across three populations: the general community; therapists/counsellors; and mental health app users. This research will inform future integration of chatbots into digital interventions, including their suitability across different contexts, and highlight targets for improved user experience.
Experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) on dating apps.
Dating app preferences among men who have sex with men (MSM) privileges partner profiles that depict norms of masculinity and particular ethnicities. Concerningly, preoccupation to appear masculine and internalisation of race-based sexual stereotypes are linked with health disparities. This study will attempt to elucidate the role of bias in partner preferences among MSM within the Australian context. Specifically, the study will explore the impact of masculinity and ethnicity in partner preferences on dating apps. It will also explore how self-esteem, body image and social identity influence MSM’s dating preferences.
The Bamboo Parenting Program: Promotion of a Randomised Pilot Trial.
The Bamboo Parenting Program is an online social support program for first-time mothers in the perinatal period. The program has been designed to prevent mental illness during this vulnerable period, and by leveraging social support, Bamboo targets one of the most significant predictors of mental health for perinatal women. The program pairs first-time mothers with volunteer mothers or with mother-nominated individuals (with support training provided in program). Pairs work together to navigate the critical and difficult perinatal period. Funding from this seed fund will be used to promote a pilot randomised trial in North Queensland.
Experiences of men who have sex with men on dating apps
Dating app preferences among men who have sex with men (MSM) privileges partner profiles that depict norms of masculinity and particular ethnicities. Concerningly, preoccupation to appear masculine and internalisation of race-based sexual stereotypes are linked with health disparities. This study will attempt to elucidate the role of bias in partner preferences among MSM within the Australian context. Specifically, the study will explore the impact of masculinity and ethnicity in partner preferences on dating apps. It will also explore how self-esteem, body image and social identity influence MSM’s dating preferences.
A Research Capacity Building and Mentor Program for Clinicians and Academics in Far North Queensland - From PICO to Pitch.
The overall aim of this project is to develop a research capacity building and mentorship program for local clinicians and academics from CHHHS and JCU to improve their ability to design and implement a research project at work.
One nurse's experience with the effects of assumptions and judgements on practice.
- 2005
- Researchers:Pauline Calleja
Inca trail porters : the health of local tourism employees as a challenge for travel medicine
- 2003
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Health advice in Australian travel brochures
- 2002
- Decker Periodicals
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Geographic information systems and travel health
- 2002
- Decker Periodicals
- Researchers:Irmgard Bauer
Influence of age and moderate-intensity exercise training on heart rate variability in young and mature adults
- 2003
- Human Kinetics
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
Influence of intensive cycling training on heart rate variability during rest and exercise
- 2003
- NRC Reserch Press
- Researchers:Anthony LeichtAndrew Hoey
Health psychology: biopsychosocial interactions. An Australian perspective
- 2002
- John Wiley & Sons
- Researchers:Marie Caltabiano
Start Date:
01 Jan 2023
End Date:
01 Jan 2023
Start Date:
01 Jan 2000
End Date:
01 Jan 2018
Start Date:
01 Jan 2018
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Start Date:
01 Jan 2013
Start Date:
01 Jan 2017
Title:
NeuroSTEM: high-school event
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2012
Start Date:
17 Jun 2025
End Date:
01 Jan 1993