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This study aimed to explore the most prevalent causes and consequences of maladaptive parent-adolescent conflict from the perspectives of Australian psychologists and other family clinicians. We also queried whether these professionals have observed events or times that exacerbate parent-adolescent conflict. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from one hundred and thirty-seven clinicians working in Australia with parents and adolescents. Data were collected via an author-developed, online survey and frequencies were reported. Daily issues of family life (e.g., chores) and relationship readjustment were reported as the most prevalent themes causing parent-adolescent conflict, with problems at school reported as a theme resulting from conflict. Mental health issues in parents and adolescents were reported to (a) be common causes of conflict and (b) worsen after conflict. Trauma and domestic and family violence were identified as additional causes not well represented in existing research. Respondents reported Christmas as a time when conflict was exacerbated. Increased awareness amongst clinicians of the likelihood of encountering these issues in their work with families will support competent risk assessment, crisis management and service delivery. Implications of findings for future research on parent-adolescent conflict during specific years of adolescence, training of clinicians and risk management in clinical practice are discussed. KEY POINTS What is already known on this topic: Conflict with parents increases during the adolescent years. Parent-adolescent conflict can be caused by a wide range of factors, and have a range of adaptive and maladaptive consequences. Parents and adolescents experiencing maladaptive conflicts often seek support from family clinicians. What this topic adds: A current exploration of the causes and consequences of parent-adolescent conflict that are most prevalent. The perspectives of the family clinicians who support conflicted parents and adolescents, but have been underrepresented in existing research. Inform early-career clinicians who support families of the most prevalent factors they may encounter in their work, improving risk assessment and crisis management following a conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abuse of older people, often perpetrated by family and friends, is a complex multidimensional social problem. In most Australian jurisdictions, responses are currently limited to either primary-level (information, education and referral) or tertiary-level statutory responses. Outside of Australia, Family Group Conferencing has partially addressed this secondary-level service gap by inviting the older person and their wider family system to identify and establish a family-led plan to address potential or actual risk of abuse. This paper presents the core processes of Family Group Conferencing, including the quality of the established evidence base for its use with older people. The limitations and caveats associated with this approach are explored, and a way forward is proposed to explore the utility and suitability of Family Group Conferencing for adults in Australia in response to some types and severities of abuse and mistreatment. The abuse of older people is complex and under-reported, and many older people choose to take no action as a large proportion of perpetrators are family members. Limited Australian responses focus on either primary prevention or tertiary-level statutory responses. Family Group Conferencing may enhance secondary-level service responses to abuse, mobilising the older person's protective networks, and reducing the risk of abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This is the first pilot study to examine the Australian adaptation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), a manualised family intervention recommended internationally in evidence reviews to improve family functioning and child mental health. The study compared two versions (8 vs. 14‐session) and longitudinally evaluated outcomes for child emotional and behavioural difficulties, and parental psychological distress. Method: Fifty‐eight families from disadvantaged primary schools in regional Victoria with children 8–12 years (80.6% of initially enrolled families, 62 parents and 74 children) completed the program and evaluation measures. Measures were repeated at pre‐, post‐, and 3‐month follow‐up and included the Kessler 6, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and subscales adapted from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and Communities that Care Youth Survey. Results: The program showed significant reductions in child difficulties and parental psychological distress from pre‐ to post‐measurements that were sustained at follow‐up. Reductions in parental psychological distress were significantly associated with reductions in child difficulties at follow‐up. The 8‐ and 14‐session formats were not found to be significantly different in reducing child difficulties or parental psychological distress. Effect sizes for the Australian version were similar to those reported in previous U.S. trials. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of an Australian adaptation of the SFP. The current study is unique in identifying similar outcomes for shorter and longer versions of the intervention. It is recommended that the 8‐session Australian version is examined in a larger randomised controlled trial where children present with behavioural and emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the discourse regarding social care practice focuses on the differences between the various professions, practice fields, geographical, and organizational contexts involved in the provision of social care. This study surveyed Australian social care practitioners' (N = 438) perceptions of influence on their practice and what similarities and differences existed in these perceptions. Eighteen influential factors were identified with minimal differences across the participants' profession, practice field, organizational sector, or geographical context. These findings suggest that a common ground of experience exists that can be used as a basis for critical discussions and interdisciplinary practice and, thereby, provide a foundation for more consistent and integrated service delivery and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of relationship dissatisfaction among Australian women during the first year after childbirth and to uncover factors affecting their relationships. Postnatal women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online study. A comprehensive, multisection questionnaire, as well as the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Patient Health Questionnaire - 8 (PHQ-8), were used to collect data. Responses were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Results showed that 37.2% of the participants experienced relationship dissatisfaction. Results of the multiple logistic regression revealed that the following were significant risk factors for relationship dissatisfaction during the first postpartum year: annual income of less than AU$50,000, sexual dysfunction, and a clinical diagnosis of depression and having symptoms of depression according to the PHQ-8 scores (p < 0.05). Compared to women in a heterosexual relationship, women who were in a same-sex relationship were less likely to have relationship dissatisfaction. In addition, in the period six to 12 months postpartum, women were less likely to have relationship dissatisfaction compared to the period 5 months or less postpartum (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little published data on the prevalence of psychological distress among individuals and couples seeking counselling and mediation services from non-government organisations ( NGOs). This national cross-sectional study establishes the prevalence of psychological distress among clients seeking family and relationship counselling and mediation services from Relationships Australia. A national sample of 1,365 clients attending services in April to May 2012 completed the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ( K10) after their first counselling or mediation session. Individual counselling ( M = 23.01, SD = 8.97, 95% CI [22.05-23.97]) and couple counselling ( M = 21.63, SD = 8.10, [20.86-22.41]) clients reported a mean K10 score comparable to those reported by clinical studies of clients with anxiety or affective disorders. One quarter to one fifth of these clients reported very high psychological distress. Clients accessing mediation services had a mean score of 18.13 ( SD = 7.76; [17.51-18.75]), and one tenth of clients reported very high distress. These elevated rates of very high psychological distress suggest that mental health issues may be a significant problem for a large proportion of clients accessing counselling and mediation NGO services provided under Family Support Programs ( FSP) funding. Implications for screening for mental health and appropriate treatment planning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health research, policy, and service provision over the last 50 years have constructed families and their connections with mental illness in various and contradictory ways. Three distinct but intersecting perspectives derive from the clinical mental illness literature, the family advocacy movement, and mental health policy. Within the clinical literature, the perspective of families is largely one of blame and pathology. By contrast, the family advocacy movement has generated the perspective of the burdened family, whereas mental health policy has created the perspective of the obligated caregiver. The result is an ambiguous understanding of the role of the family in both contributing and responding to mental illness. Implications for policy and practice include the need for a commitment to the principles of partnership with families, a recognition of diversity within families, recognising the difference between carer and family positions, and a need for policy to reflect the position of family as both intimately concerned, but not necessarily responsible, for patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide range of statutory and non-statutory child protection and family support services exist to prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of maltreatment. They may be oriented towards primary, secondary or tertiary levels of prevention, employ various types of professional and/or paraprofessional workers, and target a diverse range of groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of parents who were directed by child protection authorities to attend a tertiary level child protection and family enhancement program. In depth unstructured interviews were used to gather data about these parents' experience. Thematic content analysis of these transcripts identified four major themes as follows: 1) It's a good place to be: Participation as an affordable social outlet; 2) Learning about kids: Participation as a source of learning; 3) They are there for me: Participation as a source of practical help and support; and, 4) I am a good mother: Participation as a source of tension and conflict. Participants' perceptions of friendship with workers emerged as the most significant and valued aspect of their experience. These feelings of friendship were tested when staff undertook their mandatory reporting role. Feelings of betrayal arose that challenged the women's previous unconditional feelings of trust, and jeopardized the therapeutic relationships that had been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth substance use related problems are increasingly common, and families experience considerable stress in attempting to cope with these problems. A pilot study of 34 Australian parents from 21 families (38% sole parent families) participating in an 8-week group program, designed to assist families recover from youth substance use related problems, provided the context to explore family change processes. Participants reported a number of significant improvements over the course of the four groups that ran from late 2003 and through 2004. Regression analyses found general support for the program logic model in identifying significant associations between program-targeted parent changes and post-program improvements in stress symptoms and cohesive family behaviors. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]