College of Healthcare Sciences

Lisa Shaw

Lisa Shaw

Stephen Yu

Stephen Yu

Karen Smith

Karen Smith

Chae Rose

Chae Rose

Helen Petsky

Helen Petsky

Lucy Bird

Lucy Bird

Matthew Yau

Matthew Yau

Alyssia Merrick

Alyssia Merrick

Louise Myles

Louise Myles

Sandra Dash

Sandra Dash

Predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes of moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants: biopsychosocial and cultural determinants
Connar McShane
08 Feb 2022 - 08 Feb 2030
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
Anthony Leicht
30 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2025
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.
Am I Talking to a Real Person? Experimental Investigations into Human Perceptions of Therapeutic Chatbots
Sam Teague
28 May 2024 - 28 May 2025
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.
Sam Teague
28 May 2024 - 28 May 2025
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.
Sam Teague
28 May 2024 - 28 May 2025
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
Klaire Somoray
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.
Tanya Park
01 Jul 2024
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.
Reimaging Caring
Tanya Park
01 Jul 2022 - 31 Jul 2024
Caring in nursing. Caring is a fundamental concept in healthcare and thus deeply ingrained in the thoughts and actions of nurses. However, caring within modern health systems is fraught with challenges. The complex clinical environment is fast paced and demanding, and caregivers must balance completing tasks amidst time pressures and heavy workloads while attempting to keep up with practice changes such as new skills, treatments, and technologies. This project looks at the complexity of nursing care for people with both mental and terminal illness and what innovative care models could be developed. The project aim is to create a collective narrative of care and caring. This objective will include a variety of activities that culminate in a collective narrative - a co-developed story of care and caring.
The COACT Project: A Buddy Program of Community Outreach, Adaptation, Connection and Together for CALD Youth
Wendy Li
01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2027
The COACT (Community Outreach, Adaptation, Connection and Together) project aims to support CALD youth (12-25 years) to integrate into multicultural Townsville through an innovative two-year CO-ACTion buddy program. Buddies, matched based on the duration of living in Australia (less vs more than 5 years) with 100 CALD youth in each group, will participate in: 1) an 8-week mental wellbeing and resilience program (first year); 2) monthly CALD community activities (first and second years); and 3) outreach to connect with broader communities (second year). This project will support the participants to achieve successful adaptation through community outreach, connection and growing together.
Am I Talking to a Real Person? Experimental Investigations into Human Perceptions of Therapeutic Chatbots
Klaire Somoray
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.
Title: Bad health bottom line, Townsville Bulletin, Townsville
Reseracher: Teneale McGuckin (Senior Lecturer)
Title: Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
Reseracher: Irmgard Bauer (Adjunct Senior Lecturer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2001
End Date: 01 Jan 2013
Title: Pre-recorded interview with PhD candidate Teneale McGuckin, ABC North Queensland
Reseracher: Teneale McGuckin (Senior Lecturer)
Title: National OLT Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Reseracher: Peter Hartin (Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2015
Title: Most office workers find negative relationship between increased sitting time and health, The Medical News
Reseracher: Teneale McGuckin (Senior Lecturer)
Title: Psychological Board/ AHPRA registration
Reseracher: Meegan Kilcullen (Senior Lecturer - Clinical Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
Title: Survey: Concerned office staff suggest ways to stay active at work, Leisure Opportunities
Reseracher: Teneale McGuckin (Senior Lecturer)
Title: US Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) Presents: Military Identity in Clinical Practice - Enhancing Case Conceptualization and Treatment
Reseracher: Carolyn Heward (Doctor of Philosophy (Health))
Start Date: 01 Jan 2025
End Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: JCU Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for engaging, empowering and inspiring students of the tropics by creating a synergy between the theoretical foundations of psychological practice and real world community based application.
Reseracher: Kerry McBain (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2016
Title: University of Tasmania, Course Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Peter Hartin (Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery)