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Objective University students have a high risk of psychological distress; however, few Australian studies have specifically examined the prevalence of, or risk factors for, depressive symptoms. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students and the characteristics of those with depressive symptoms. Method Participants were randomly selected university students at a large metropolitan university in Victoria, Australia. An online survey was administered in May 2009 to assess depressive symptoms using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (dependent variable) and a broad range of independent variables including students' demographic, study, psychosocial, and mental health characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine characteristics of those with depressive symptoms. Results Results estimated the prevalence of mild to extremely severe depressive symptoms as 39.5% among the 800 respondents, with 13% in the severe/extremely severe range. The best-fit regression model accounted for 63% of variance in depressive symptoms. Factors associated with higher depressive symptomatology included high anxiety, stress, and loneliness, low body appreciation, studying law/management, regular binge drinking, and less physical activity. Conclusions The implications of our findings include the need for further action by higher education policy and decision-makers and more integrated approaches to the development of resilience, mental health promotion, and early intervention among this vulnerable student population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship education and couple counseling services have been targeted to groups differing in severity of marital problems. However, there is evidence that couples seeking these services may be more similar than previously thought. We examined profiles of couples attending both services across eight community relationship service agencies in Australia; 460 participants (230 couples) completed a preservice survey. Multivariate analysis found that those seeking couple counseling had more children, more serious relationship issues, higher depression and aggression, lower education, and more financial difficulty. Modeling was also undertaken by gender. Differentiated profiles of couples seeking different relationship services are useful to inform service delivery and professional training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Art-based practices show promise as a beneficial solution for mental health services because they are in line with the whole person recovery framework currently being adopted, and have high acceptability with consumers. Nevertheless, incorporation of art-based approaches into mental health services has been impeded by claims of an insufficient evidence-base and ongoing debates about the most suitable research practices. This article addresses this gap in the literature by critically reviewing current research on the benefits of art-based practices in mental health rehabilitation settings. Method: A critical review of previous research was conducted identifying all quantitative, qualitative and mixed method studies that addressed art making and adult mental illness. Then a deductive/theoretical thematic analysis was conducted using Lal's framework for conceptualising mental health recovery. Results: The identified areas where art-based practices were of key benefit included psychological and social recovery, particularly in the areas of self-discovery, self-expression, relationships and social identity. These findings in conjunction with the identified benefits to clinical, occupational and contextual recovery indicate that art-based practices play a substantial role in mental health recovery. To add weight to these claims, future research endeavours need to integrate the suggested recommendations detailed in this review. Conclusion: Recommendations are made to improve the quality of future research, including the need for well-designed mixed-method studies that integrate qualitative and quantitative research, whilst keeping in mind the values of mental heath recovery, would further validate this current evidence-base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial evaluates innovative methodologies of responding to various types of family violence. Issues such as child abuse, violence against women and abuse of the elderly are discussed in terms of incidence and psychological impact. The author then discusses how the issue will address systematic and governmental methods of dealing with family violence, as well as therapeutic responses to the issue.

It is well-established that suicide is associated with grief that is complex. However, there is very limited research examining the grief experiences and long-term outcomes for a particularly vulnerable group, namely, children who have lost a parent through suicide. This review aims to critically examine the small body of available quantitative and qualitative research on the impact of parental suicide and examines factors associated with the children's adjustment. Children's adjustment is shown to be influenced by the age of the child at time of parent suicide, their personal attributes, level of family support, social environment, economic and environmental factors, and the process of 'meaning making' engaged in by the child. Some recent intervention studies are reviewed, suggesting that children's needs following parental suicide are not well understood nor are support services readily available or accessed. Processes of resilience related to children bereaved by parental suicide are outlined and future research needs are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine associations between poor mental health and sociodemographic, psychosocial and health related variables in midlife Australian women. Method: The random population-based sample comprised 13,961 Australian women aged 45-50 years who participated in the baseline postal survey for the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, conducted in 1996. The outcome measure, poor mental health status, was measured by the Mental Health Index (MH) of the SF-36. Results: Sociodemographic factors associated with poor mental health were low educational levels, being unemployed or engaged solely in home duties, and non-English speaking background (European). Health related factors independently associated with poor mental health were having five or more visits to the doctor in the past year, menopausal status (surgical and perimenopausal less exercise, and smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day. Among psychosocial variables, low satisfaction with partner or close relationships, low perceived social support outside family, and more life-events over the past 12 months were independently associated. Conclusion: The findings suggest a number of areas in which preventive interventions could be strengthened to improve quality of life among mid-aged women. These include policy changes to promote and support more education and employment opportunities for women before they reach midlife, increase understanding of the link between health risk behaviours and psychological well-being, and provide counselling services to improve women's relational and psychosocial circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores a creative approach to transforming therapeutic impasse and facilitating a powerful and uplifting experience for despairing and traumatized clients. A key aim of this creative meditation is to facilitate an experience of deep peace and calm, while building awareness and appreciation of the unique positive qualities of self. This involves guided visualization and meditation practices to bring about peace, and to regarding-focus the mind into more positive states. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents information on a study which rated the importance of principles and steps to guide clinicians on how to inform patients that they have breast cancer. Methodology; Specific guidelines recommended for telling bad news, as perceived by breast cancer patients, doctors and nurses; Results and discussion.

Reprints the article `Patient-provider agreement on guidelines for preparation for breast cancer treatment,' which appeared in the Spring issue of Behavioral Medicine volume 23, number 1.

Develops guidelines for preparing breast cancer patients for threatening medical procedures. Doctor, nurse, and patient ratings of guidelines; Doctor-patient communication.