International Journal of Rural Psychology

Archived Abstracts 2004

The psychological well-being and health risk behaviours of Australian adolescents: regional and gender differences - 22 December 2004.

S. Anderson†, P.H. Delfabbro†*, M. Dollard‡, J. Metzer‡, S. Trainor‡, A. Winefield‡

† Department of Psychology
University of Adelaide
Adelaide South Austalia, 5005
Email: paul.delfabbro@adelaide.edu.au
* To whom correspondence should be addressed

‡ School of Psychology
University of South Australia
Adelaide South Austalia, 5000

Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported psychological and physical well-being of young people living in metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia. A sample of 958 students (Mean age = 15 years) was sampled from Government co-educational schools and administered a questionnaire that requested detailed information concerning psychological well-being, health-related behaviours and substance use. The results showed that rural youth scored significantly higher (P<.001) on suicide ideation than their peers in the metropolitan area, but were generally similar in terms of other measures of psychological adjustment. Other significant differences related to substance use, with rural youth found to be significantly more likely to drink alcohol (60% vs. 50%, P<.01), and to drink more heavily (4 vs. 3 standard drinks), and to smoke 60% more marijuana on each occasion (P<.05). Gender comparisons showed that girls scored more poorly on measures of psychological wellbeing (self-esteem, GHQ-12 and negative mood) P<.05. The implications of these findings for future research and current public health strategies and interventions are discussed.

Farm safety promotion in the context of health promotion: Lessons learnt in rural Western Australia - 6 August 2004

Dr Samar Aoun, Director, WA Centre for Rural Health and Community Development a nd Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Public Health Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia

Ms Anne Jennings, Research Associate WA Centre for Rural Health and Community Development

Abstract
In the light of prevailing significant farm injury rates coupled with low adoption of farm safety practices, the literature has highlighted the need to do more to directly investigate measures that increase the proportion of farmers who take advantage of training programs such as Managing Farm Safety (MFS). The safety promotion initiative described here draws on the experience of initiatives in the health field in promoting prevention in rural Western Australia. A total of 306 farmers/growers, from eight peak organisations and two service clubs, participated in the two stages of the study. The first stage assessed the feasibility of conducting brief educational programs to groups of farmers and the second stage assessed the nature and extent of injuries in the past year, and the training needs in safety practices. The findings confirmed the need for safety promotion programs as it highlighted low levels of awareness and motivation for the uptake of MFS courses, and that three-quarters of farmers were still at the pre-contemplation stage, with no intention to initiate change or attend the course. It also identified the barriers that impacted on farmers’ uptake of safety initiatives and therefore missed opportunities to progress with the adoption of safe practices in rural Western Australia.

Abstract
In this paper we discuss rural psychology, and the notion of rurality and set out a case for the development of a knowledge base in a new area of psychology, rural work psychology. We argue that there is enormous scope for work psychology to be applied to and contribute to the project of rural development. In this paper we attempt to identify a space within which work and organisational psychologists can contribute to rural development, specifically to improve the participation of rural women in enterprise through empowerment. We describe the current economic, social, political and psychological circumstances of rural women and work in both India and Australia. At the present time, little is known of the context and complexities of rural women entrepreneurship. We set forward some preliminary ideas about the scope of rural work psychology and the contributions that it could make to rural development through rural women entrepreneurship development. In particular we urge work psychologists to use their privileged skills in undertaking collaborative research, education, and training for rural development.

The Relationship of Work Support and Work Demands to Individual Outcomes and Absenteeism of Rural Nurses - 29 January 2004.
M. Anthony Machin, Gerard J. Fogarty and Majella J. Albion
University of Southern Queensland.
Refereed Article - Members Only
Abstract
This study looked at the relationships among work support, work demands, individual morale, individual distress, quality of working life, and absenteeism outcomes of 188 rural nurses working in the Southern Downs District Health Service. The absenteeism data were obtained from the employee information report that listed total monthly absenteeism rates (calculated as hours per full time employee) for the nursing staff at each of the six hospitals. Using structural equation modelling, it was found that work demands predicted levels of individual distress while work support predicted individual morale, quality of working life, and individual distress. Examination of the data revealed that hospitals where staff reported higher levels of work demands and lower levels of work support had higher absenteeism rates. The establishment of better support networks for rural nursing staff and reducing the work demands may influence levels of absenteeism although there could be a reciprocal effect whereby absenteeism contributes to greater work demands.

Key words: work demands, work support, morale, distress, quality of work life, absenteeism

Challenges in Rural School Counselling: Establishing and Maintaining a Professional Identity 23 January 2004

Judith F. Esposito - Elon University

Jonathan W. Roberti - New College of Florida

David J. Srebalus - West Virginia University

Refereed Article, Members Only
Abstract
Rural school counsellors are often limited in support and resources for their school counselling programs. As a result, rural school counsellors must resort to creative methods of expanding their programs and establishing their professional identities within the rural community. Two important parts of this process are in the rural school counsellor's professional development activities and involvement in professional organisations. This descriptive study examines the percentage of rural school counsellors who are licensed professional counsellors, as well as members of professional organisations. Additionally, rural school counsellors were asked to share what their greatest challenges and greatest needs were in maintaining their counselling programs. Results indicate that few rural school counsellors hold their LPC credentials, or are active in professional associations. Financial resources and staff support are among the perceived greatest challenges and greatest needs