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Higher education institutions have recently transitioned from face-to-face to online teaching and learning environments. However, academic staff lack sufficient training in applying emotional intelligence (EI) skills and strategies in online learning environments. Although literature addressing academics' EI is sparse, some studies have suggested that lecturers' EI greatly influences teaching and learning. This study used the concept of EI to understand students' perceptions of how lecturers' EI impacted their learning and engagement in an online learning environment. We conducted four online focus group interviews of 14 students pursuing a bachelor's degree at two campuses of an Australian university, one in Melbourne and the other in Malaysia. Four main themes were identified using thematic analysis. Students discussed their perceptions and experiences on (a) vulnerabilities, coping and empathy; (b) relationships with lecturers, trust and safety; (c) communication, tone and voice; and (d) managing emotions of lecturers. Our findings suggest that lecturers' EI impacted students' learning and engagement in online learning spaces. However, the impact differs between Australia and Malaysia due to cultural differences. Drawing on the findings, we present online education good practices grounded in the theory of EI. Lecturers delivering online courses should consider employing these practices for effective teaching.

Current literature shows that emotional intelligence (EI) plays a significant role in teacher effectiveness. In recognition of this, one Australian state has recently announced that initial teacher education (ITE) graduates must demonstrate superior emotional intelligence in psychometric tests before they will be allowed to apply for jobs in New South Wales' public schools. In order to inform ITE providers and researchers seeking to support pre-service teachers (PST) in developing superior EI, this scoping review examines what is known from the existing literature about PSTs' EI and identifies gaps in the current literature. There were 23 articles published which fit the criteria for this scoping review, 22 of these used quantitative methods. This scoping review revealed that there is a need for methodological diversification within this field and recommends that future studies focus on qualitative research methods to facilitate in-depth understanding of EI within the context of PST.

The aim of the current study was to examine the role of fluid intelligence, personality traits, and emotional intelligence (EI) in predicting female Year 9 students' grade point average (GPA) and to determine whether any differences in scholastic performance were related to differences in EI or Personality. Two-hundred and forty-three female secondary students who were enrolled in Year 9 (age: "M" = 14.63 years, "SD" = 0.49) completed the Adolescent Swinburne University EI Test, Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, and the Mini International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP) and a GPA was calculated from the core subjects. The results revealed that higher GPAs were related to higher levels of Emotional Management and Control (EMC), Conscientiousness, and lower levels of Extraversion. The stepwise regression analysis revealed that variation in GPA was accounted for by IQ (21.8%), Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and EMC. It was concluded that the consistent predictive efficacy of EI skills in relation to scholastic outcomes, although modest in comparison to IQ, should be considered important, especially in the context of students achieving grades appropriate to their intellect across their schooling experience.

In an increasingly aging population, a number of adults are concerned about declines in their cognitive abilities. Online computer-based cognitive training programs have been proposed as an accessible means by which the elderly may improve their cognitive abilities; yet, more research is needed in order to assess the efficacy of these programs. In the current study, a commercially available 21-day online computer-based cognitive training intervention was administered to 34 individuals aged between 53 and 75 years. The intervention consisted of computerized training in reaction time, inspection time, short-term memory for words, executive function, visual spatial acuity, arithmetic, visual spatial memory, visual scanning/discrimination, and n-back working memory. An active solitaire control group was also included. Participants were tested at baseline, posttraining and at three-weeks follow-up using a battery of neuropsychological outcome measures. These consisted of simple reaction time, complex reaction time, digit forwards and backwards, spatial working memory, digit symbol substitution, RAVLT, and trail making. Significant improvement in simple reaction time and choice reaction time task was found in the cognitive training group both posttraining and at three-weeks follow-up. However, no significant improvements on the other cognitive tasks were found. The training program was found to be successful in achieving transfer of trained cognitive abilities in speed of processing to similar untrained tasks. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Purpose: The central aim of this study is to incorporate two core personality factors (neuroticism and extroversion) in the job demands-resources (JD-R) model. Design/methodology/approach: It was hypothesized that neuroticism would be most strongly related to the health impairment process, and that extroversion would be most strongly related to the motivational process. The hypotheses were tested in a sample of 3,753 Australian academics, who filled out a questionnaire including job demands and resources, personality, health indicators, and commitment. Findings: Results were generally in line with predictions. Structural equation modeling analyses showed that job demands predicted health impairment, while job resources predicted organizational commitment. Also, neuroticism predicted health impairment, both directly and indirectly through its effect on job demands, while extroversion predicted organizational commitment, both directly and indirectly through its effect on job resources. Research limitations/implications: These findings demonstrate the capacity of the JD-R model to integrate work environment and individual perspectives within a single model of occupational wellbeing. Practical implications: The study shows that working conditions are related to health and commitment, also after controlling for personality. This suggests that workplace interventions can be used to take care of employee wellbeing. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the literature by integrating personality in the JD-R model, and shows how an expanded model explains employee wellbeing. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)

Flavonoids have shown anti-hypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic properties: the impact of habitual flavonoid intake on vascular function, central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness may be important. We investigated the relationship between habitual flavonoid consumption and measures of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness. We performed cross-sectional analysis of 381 non-smoking healthy older adults (mean age 66·0 (sd 4·1) years; BMI, 26·4 (sd 4·41) kg/m2; 41 % male) recruited as part of the Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention study. Flavonoid intake (i.e. flavonols, flavones, flavanones, anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavan-3-ol monomers, proanthocyanidins, theaflavins/thearubigins and total consumption) was estimated from FFQ using the US Department of Agriculture food composition databases. Measures of central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness included systolic blood pressure (cSBP), diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), mean arterial pressure (cMAP) and augmentation index (cAIx). After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle confounders, each sd/d higher intake of anthocyanins ((sd 44·3) mg/d) was associated with significantly lower cDBP (−1·56 mmHg, 95 % CI −2·65, −0·48) and cMAP (−1·62 mmHg, 95 % CI −2·82, −0·41). Similarly, each sd/d higher intake of flavanones ((sd 19·5) mg/d) was associated with ~1 % lower cAIx (−0·93 %, 95 % CI −1·77, −0·09). These associations remained significant after additional adjustment for (1) a dietary quality score and (2) other major nutrients that may affect blood pressure or arterial stiffness (i.e. Na, K, Ca, Mg, n-3, total protein and fibre). This study suggests a possible benefit of dietary anthocyanin and flavanone intake on central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness; these findings require corroboration in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Assessing fitness to drive in applicants with a historical or current substance use disorder presents a specific clinical challenge. The Australian guidelines require evidence of remission and absence of cognitive change when considering applications for re‐licensing driver or individuals applying to reengage in safety‐sensitive work. This paper reviews some of the clinical and biochemical indicators that determine whether a particular person is in ‘remission’ and meets the criteria for return to driving or other safety‐sensitive occupation. It provides an overview of the challenges in establishing an evidence‐based approach to determining fitness for safety critical activities. There is no internationally accepted definition of ‘remission’. Review of the literature and examination of assessment protocols from other national jurisdictions are available for alcohol and the more important drugs of interest in road safety. Assessing fitness to drive when there is a history of substance misuse and/or substance use disorders is a complex issue that requires assessment of biomarkers, clinical findings and clinical assessment before the person returns to driving. We propose that hair testing provides a reliable and reproducible way to demonstrate remission and provide cost‐effective monitoring. Standardised psychological tests could provide a reproducible assessment of the cognitive effects of drug use and suitability to resume driving. We recommend that AustRoads amend the national guidelines to reflect an evidence‐based approach to assessing fitness to drive after conviction for offences related to alcohol and drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal test of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model of work stress and engagement (; ) was conducted in a sample of Australian university academics ( N= 296). The aim was to extend the JD-R model by (1) determining how well job demands (work pressure, academic workload) and job resources (procedural fairness, job autonomy) would predict psychological strain and organisational commitment over a three-year period, and (2) incorporating longitudinal tests of reversed causation. The results of SEM analyses showed that Time 1 resources directly predicted Time 2 strain and organisational commitment, but that Time 1 demands predicted Time 2 strain only indirectly via job resources. We did not find evidence for reversed causation. We discuss possible mediators of the relationships between working conditions and work stress outcomes, and the practical implications of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and scholastic achievement in Australian adolescents. Two hundred and nine secondary school students (86 males and 123 females) each completed the Adolescent Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT) and academic achievement data was collected for all subjects from year seven to eleven. Academic success was found to be associated with higher levels of total EI, via assessment of the EI of different academic levels (80th percentile, 20th percentile, and middle groups). Regression analyses also revealed that dimensions of the Adolescent SUEIT differentially predicted secondary school subject grades: Emotional Management and Control was found to significantly predict Maths (r2 = 0.06) and Science (r2 = 0.04); the Understanding Emotions sub-scale significantly predicted scores for Art (r2 = 0.12) and Geography (r2 = 0.08). It was concluded that the development of EI may offer educators significant opportunities to improve scholastic performance and emotional competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the deficits in emotional intelligence underlying adolescent sex offenders in Australia. Comparison of offenders and non-offender respondents; Prevalence of psychological aggression and attention on sex offenders; Emphasis on treating adolescent sex offenders.

As the Australian population ages the burden of dementia is increasing. Conventional drug treatment only provides modest benefits for patients, so patients and their carers often turn to complementary medicines. Early trials showed promise for some compounds but larger better conducted studies have usually failed to confirm these benefits. However, there have been few large-scale interventions using complementary medicines for cognition. Health professionals should always ask patients (and their carers) if complementary medicines are being taken because adverse effects and interactions with conventional drugs can occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most pressing questions in "Nutritional Psychiatry" is whether using combinations of different nutraceuticals with putative antidepressant activity may provide an enhanced synergistic antidepressant effect.Methods: A phase II/III, Australian multi-site, 8-week, double-blind, RCT involving 158 outpatients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD. The intervention consisted of a nutraceutical combination: S-adenosyl methionine; Folinic acid; Omega-3 fatty acids; 5-HTP, Zinc picolinate, and relevant co-factors versus placebo. The primary outcome was change in MADRS score. Hypothesis-driven analyses of potential moderators of response involving key SNPs, and BDNF were also conducted.Results: Placebo was superior to the nutraceutical combination in reducing MADRS score (differential reduction -1.75 points), however a mixed linear model revealed a non-significant Group X Time interaction (p = 0.33). Response rates were 40% for the active intervention and 51% for the placebo; remission rates were 34% and 43% for active and placebo groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between groups on any other secondary depression, anxiety, psychosocial, or sleep outcome measures. Key SNPs and BDNF did not significantly moderate response. No significant differences occurred between groups for total adverse effects, aside from more nausea in the active group.Limitations: Very high placebo response rates suggest a placebo run-in design may have been valuable.Interpretation: The adoption of a nutraceutical 'shotgun' approach to treating MDD was not supported, and appeared to be less effective than adding placebo to treatment as usual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents results from a study of occupational stress in Australian university staff. The authors report data on psychological strain and job satisfaction from nearly 9,000 respondents at 17 universities. Academic staff were generally worse off than general staff, and staff in newer universities were worse off than those in older universities. At the aggregate level, self-report measures of psychological well-being were highly correlated with objective measures of university well-being (investment income, student-staff ratios, and recent cuts in staffing levels and in government operating grants). The authors conclude that the financial difficulties imposed on Australian universities in recent years are having serious consequences for the psychological well-being of their staff, particularly academic staff (faculty). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]