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We explored older adults' experiences of physical activity (PA) and related decision-making processes underlying PA. Twenty Australians (Mage = 73.8 years) participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and identified themes were matched deductively within motivational, volitional, and implicit processes of the integrated behavior change model for PA. Motivational influences such as participants' time orientation toward health and perceptions of what PA should be like were frequently featured in participants' narratives. Volitional processes were also identified, with participants reporting different ways of coping with competing priorities. Physical surroundings and habitual PA were the identified themes within implicit processes. Together, these findings contribute to a better understanding of subjective experiences of older adults regarding PA. They also add to a more contextual understanding of multiple decision-making processes underpinning older adults' PA engagement. Identified concepts may be used in future research and PA interventions targeting older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Men who have sex with men in Australia are currently ineligible to donate blood (are "deferred") for 12 months since last oral or anal sexual contact with another man. In Australia and overseas, there has been limited research on attitudes and perceptions related to blood donation in this population.Study Design and Methods: Questions on blood donation histories and attitudes toward the deferral policy were included in the questionnaire of an online prospective cohort of gay and bisexual men (GBM) living in Australia.Results: In 2018, 1595 GBM responded to the survey. In this sample, 28.7% reported previously donating blood. Among the remaining men who had never donated blood, 64.5% expressed an interest in doing so. Nearly all men indicated they were not willing to abstain from sex with another man for 12 months in order to donate, and the vast majority believed the rule was unfair, too strict, and homophobic. Three-quarters (77.7%) said that if the policy changed, they would likely donate blood. Age and openness about one's sexuality were independently associated with one's willingness to donate blood in the absence of the deferral.Conclusion: There was a high level of willingness and desire to donate blood among GBM. However, rather than abstaining from sex in order to donate, many men comply with the deferral policy and do not donate. A less conservative deferral policy may increase donations from GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Research has consistently indicated that fear of stigma is a pertinent factor when understanding the poor prevalence of treatment seeking among individuals with mental illness, particularly eating disorders (EDs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment experiences of ED sufferers within an Australian context, in addition to exploring patient views on framing EDs as biogenetic conditions, given the increased understanding and presentation of EDs as biologically based conditions. Methods: Semi‐structured online data collection was conducted with 35 Australian women with a history of an ED (54.3% in treatment, 45.7% in “recovery” or “recovered”). The data were evaluated using a three‐phased coding system, allowing findings to emerge from significant themes inherent within the raw data (thematic analysis). Results: Treatment was perceived as traumatic, punitive, blaming, lacking in understanding/education, and overemphasised the physical dimensions of the illness. The experience of volitional stigma in the healthcare system was frequent and expected, and for many sufferers had adverse effects. Biogenetic framing was perceived to be more likely to reduce (rather than exacerbate) stigma, particularly perceptions of volition and personal responsibility. Although reductions in blame and responsibility were welcomed, there was concern that biogenetic explanations could negatively impact recovery by endorsing genetic fatalism and encouraging self‐fulfilling prophecies via genetic essentialism. Conclusions: Overall, findings highlight that attention to volitional stigma within the health system is required (particularly education) and that aetiological framing (with caution and sensitivity) is perceived to be a feasible stigma reduction method by ED sufferers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Home visits (HVs) and nursing home visits (NHVs) are accepted as core elements of general practice. There is concern regarding declining rates of HVs and an increasing demand for NHVs together with a perceived decreased willingness of younger GPs to provide these services.Objectives: To establish the prevalence and associations of recently vocationally qualified GPs ('graduates') performing HVs and NHVs.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of recent (within 5 years) graduates of 3 of Australia's 17 regional general practice training programs. Outcome factors were performing, as part of current practice, HVs and NHVs. Factors associated with each outcome were assessed by logistic regression with graduate and current practice characteristics and vocational training experiences as independent variables.Results: Of 230 responding graduates, 48.1% performed HVs and 40.6% performed NHVs in their current clinical GP role. Factors associated with both HVs and NHVs were participating in in-practice clinical teaching/supervision [odds ratios (ORs) 2.65 and 2.66], conducting HVs/NHVs during training (ORs 5.05 and 10.8) and working full-time (ORs for part-time work 0.20 and 0.29). Further associations with performing HVs were older GP age (compared to <36 years: ORs 3.65 for 36-40 and 2.53 for 41+), smaller practice size (OR 0.53 for larger practices), Australian undergraduate education (OR 0.31 for non-Australian) and greater number of years in their current practice as a qualified GP (OR 1.25 per year).Conclusions: Our findings of graduates' modest engagement with HVs and NHVs reinforce concerns regarding Australian general practice's capacity to accommodate the needs of an aging population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: Despite clinical recommendations that further treatment is critical for successful recovery following drug and alcohol detoxification, a large proportion of clients fail to attend treatment after detoxification. In this study, individual factors and constructs based on motivational and volitional models of health behaviour were examined as predictors of post-detoxification treatment attendance.Design and Methods: The sample consisted of 220 substance-dependent individuals participating in short-term detoxification programs provided by The Australian Salvation Army. The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Implementation Intentions were used to predict attendance at subsequent treatment.Results: Follow-up data were collected for 177 participants (81%), with 104 (80%) of those participants reporting that they had either attended further formal treatment (e.g. residential rehabilitation programs, outpatient counselling) or mutual support groups in the 2 weeks after leaving the detoxification program. Logistic regression examined the predictors of further treatment attendance. The full model accounted for 21% of the variance in treatment attendance, with attitude and Implementation Intentions contributing significantly to the prediction.Discussion and Conclusions: Findings from the present study would suggest that assisting clients to develop a specific treatment plan, as well as helping clients to build positive perceptions about subsequent treatment, will promote greater attendance at further treatment following detoxification. [Kelly PJ, Leung J, Deane FP, Lyons GCB. Predicting client attendance at further treatment following drug and alcohol detoxification: Theory of Planned Behaviour and Implementation Intentions. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:678-685]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is illegal throughout Australia yet many drivers persist with this behaviour. This study aims to understand the internal, driver-related and external, situational-related factors influencing drivers’ willingness to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Sampling 160 university students, this study utilised the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine a range of belief-based constructs. Additionally, drivers’ personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion were measured with the Neuroticism Extroversion Openness-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). In relation to the external, situational-related factors, four different driving-related scenarios, which were intended to evoke differing levels of drivers’ reported stress, were devised for the study and manipulated drivers’ time urgency (low versus high) and passenger presence (alone versus with friends). In these scenarios, drivers’ willingness to use a mobile phone in general was measured. Hierarchical regression analyses across the four different driving scenarios found that, overall, the TPB components significantly accounted for drivers’ willingness to use a mobile phone above and beyond the demographic variables. Subjective norms, however, was only a significant predictor of drivers’ willingness in situations where the drivers were driving alone. Generally, neuroticism and extroversion did not significantly predict drivers’ willingness above and beyond the TPB and demographic variables. Overall, the findings broaden our understanding of the internal and external factors influencing drivers’ willingness to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving despite the illegality of this behaviour. The findings may have important practical implications in terms of better informing road safety campaigns targeting drivers’ mobile phone use which, in turn, may contribute to a reduction in the extent that mobile phone use contributes to road crashes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on conscience voting in the legislative process of Australia. A conscience vote in Australia is defined as a vote in Parliament in which members of the Parliament do not vote according to the platform of their political party. In Edmund Burke's view, a legislator can exercise judgement on their behalf as to which measures advance the general good and such judgement can be upheld through a set of broad principles endorsed by parties. Also discussed are John Stuart Mill's perspective on representative government and its connection to Stephen Holmes' fallibist approach to epistemology which focused on the views of voters on the conflicts of representatives, and Friedrich Hayek's differentiation between constituents' will as to ends and their opinions as to values.