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Item Open Access Locomotor-cognitive dual-tasking in younger and older adults(Australian Catholic University, 2025-12-08)In day-to-day life, humans are constantly faced with multi-task (or dual-task) situations. These situations often involve a locomotor task performed concurrently with a cognitive task, for example walking while having a conversation with a friend. To effectively engage in dual-tasking, individuals must allocate cognitive resources efficiently to manage both tasks simultaneously. Consequently, dual-tasking relies heavily on cognitive control (i.e., executive functions) and motor control to be performed successfully. However, both processes are considered susceptible to the process of ageing. Specifically, it has been proposed that older adults progressively rely more on cortical processes for movement and become increasingly dependent on slower feedback-based motor control due to deficits in predictive motor control. These changes are likely to increase the cognitive demand of motor tasks and, consequently, the level of cognitive resources required to perform them successfully. Theoretically, older adults are therefore expected to exhibit greater locomotor and cognitive interference in a dual-task situation. However, an inconsistent pattern of age effects is reported in the literature, and this is likely attributable to the lack of standardisation across studies, particularly in the selection of cognitive tasks. This thesis aimed to assess adult age differences in locomotor-cognitive dual-tasking by comparing proportional dual-task costs between younger and older adults. The methodologies of the systematic review and two empirical studies were informed and guided by the ecological framework, which suggests that motor performance is the outcome of individual, task, and environmental factors. Although individual and task-related factors were examined, environmental conditions were kept constant to isolate the effects of varying task demands. Study 1, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical studies assessing adult age differences in locomotor-cognitive dual-task performance, showed that older adults experienced greater motor and cognitive pDTCs than younger adults. Further, velocity variability measures produced the largest group difference on motor pDTCs, as did cognitive tasks that targeted arithmetic and texting skills. When tasks were categorised according to their level of representativeness to real-world activities, cognitive tasks that were ‘most representative’ resulted in the largest age difference on motor pDTCs. The systematic review and meta-analysis therefore highlighted the importance of task representativeness when assessing for adult age differences in dual-task performance and the need for future studies to incorporate more representative task demands in study designs. Currently, representative dual-task protocols are limited, which is problematic given that these studies have important clinical implications for dual-task training programs. Study 2 and 3 both used cross-sectional experimental design to assess dual-task performance in younger and older adults while completing a locomotor task (Study 2) or locomotor obstacle negotiation task (Study 3) concurrently with a visual detection task. In both studies, an augmented reality headset (i.e., HoloLens2TM) was used to present the cognitive task, which was highlighted as a novel contribution. Study 2 assessed differences in locomotor-cognitive dual-task performance between younger and older adults when walking along a 12m walkway and completing a visual detection task. This study revealed no age group differences in gait and cognitive pDTCs, however, both age groups spent less time in the double support phase and had more variable double support times under dual-task conditions compared to single-task conditions. The findings of this study were attributed to the low cognitive load of both tasks, as well as the sample’s baseline motor and cognitive functioning, which allowed the older age group to use compensatory mechanisms to maintain performance. This study provided valuable insights into how older adults respond to a discrete cognitive task using a method (augmented reality) that addressed some methodological limitations of previous research. Study 3 extended on Study 2 by investigating dual-task performance differences between both age groups using a complex motor task. Participants were required to walk along the same walkway, but this time, stepping over a physical obstacle that was positioned just before the midpoint. The obstacle was presented at two different heights: one adjusted to a proportion of the participants leg length (i.e., adjusted condition) and the other set to a standard height of 16.5cm (standard condition). A significant difference in foot clearance variability (trailing leg) was observed between the two age groups in the adjusted height condition. Obstacle height also had a significant main effect on certain gait pDTCs, specifically double support time, step length, double support time variability, and step velocity variability. The findings from this study highlighted important considerations when using pDTCs to compare performance outcomes across groups, emphasising the need to account for baseline (single-task) differences. For example, unlike older adults, younger adults showed greater foot clearance in both leading and trailing legs from the single-task to the dual-task condition when stepping over the standard height obstacle. However, upon examining single-task performance differences, it was evident that older adults started with higher foot clearance, and the additional cognitive demands did not result in as pronounced a change as they did for younger adults, who started with lower foot clearance. Overall, all three studies addressed the aims of this thesis and confirmed the variability in dual-task findings that are reported across studies of adult ageing. While our review highlighted age differences in gait and cognitive performance, this finding did not extend to our experimental studies. A representative approach to dual-task demands was adopted across the experimental studies to enhance the ecological validity of the findings through key methodological decisions (i.e., discrete task type, standard obstacle height condition). The studies have advanced the field by introducing the novel use of augmented reality technology to present the cognitive task. Future research is recommended to continue exploring this research area with greater consideration of task representativeness to better inform theory and clinical interventions. This program of work also highlights important considerations when interpreting group findings, particularly regarding the use of pDTCs and gait variability outcomes.Item Open Access Experienced weight stigma and its biopsychosocial correlates : The role of internalised weight stigma(Australian Catholic University, 2025-11-20)Weight stigma is defined as social devaluation directed toward individuals because of their body-weight. Existing theoretical models have suggested that internalised weight stigma (i.e., the application of negative stereotypes about weight to the self) explains the well-established relationship between weight stigma experiences and adverse psychosocial health correlates. The first aim of this thesis was to review, test, and replicate the proposed effects of internalised weight stigma in the literature (Studies 1-3). The second aim of this thesis was to move beyond cross- sectional research to understand the temporal relationship between weight stigma and biopsychosocial health correlates (Studies 4 and 5). The first study in this thesis was a systematic review (n = 17), which found that internalised weight stigma mediated the relationship between experienced weight stigma and several biopsychosocial correlates, including disordered eating, body image disturbances, self-esteem, and psychological distress. Studies 2 and 3 replicated these observed effects in bariatric surgery candidates (n = 217; Study 2) and in a community-based sample (n = 418; Study 3). In both samples, I found that internalised weight stigma mediated the relationship between experienced weight stigma and several psychosocial (but not physical) health correlates, including disordered eating, symptoms of depression and anxiety, self-esteem, and body image disturbances. Study 3’s second aim after replication was to characterise the protective nature of awareness, engagement, and endorsement (AEE) of non-diet approaches to health. Hypotheses were partially supported, such that non-diet AEE was related to external measures of weight stigma, but not internal measures. There were few consistent relationships between non-diet AEE and psychosocial health correlates. Though mixed, our findings suggest non-diet approaches remain an important factor to consider in future research. To address the second aim of this thesis, I also reviewed the literature that used real-time data collection methods (i.e., Ecological Momentary Assessment [EMA] methods) to analyse temporal relationships between weight stigma and health outcomes (Study 4). The findings from this review (n = 12) indicated that EMA results corroborate those in cross-sectional studies, and that weight stigma precedes negative health outcomes – including negative affect, body image disturbances, psychological distress, exercise avoidance, and disordered eating. This review also found several limitations in existing literature, including a lack of consistency in methods used and research questions posed. Study 5 aimed to address this by creating a coherent research agenda through establishing a data-sharing consortium. Specifically, in Study 5, I used survey methods and conference workshops to collect quantitative and qualitative data about clinical, lived experience, and research experts’ views of the direction of future EMA weight stigma research and research priorities. Healthcare avoidance, disordered eating, body image disturbances, and psychological distress, respectively, were rated as the most important outcomes of weight stigma that research should prioritise. Taken together, the findings from the studies in this thesis emphasise that internalised weight stigma is an important construct for understanding the relationship between experiences of weight stigma and adverse health correlates. This research also suggests that EMA methods provide a unique opportunity to address the limitations of existing research. The proposed data-sharing consortium may be an important component of future research for understanding and effectively addressing weight stigma’s consequences.Item Open Access Open educational resources : Supporting equitable outcomes for all students at ACU(Australian Catholic University, 2018-07-27)A presentation on the benefits of using Open Educational Resources (OERs) for staff and students at Australian Catholic University. Includes an embedded presentation by Vanessa Tuckfield ACU Copyright Officer.Item Open Access System reform for children and young people in statutory child protection exposed to domestic and family violence(Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, 2020-07)Children and young people’s exposure to domestic and family violence (DFV) is a prominent policy issue across Australia. According to many practitioners working in statutory child protection systems, we need to understand more deeply how the service system is responding to children and young people. To understand these issues in more detail, the Australian Government Department of Social Services commissioned the ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies to investigate service system responses for families involved in child protection in the context of domestic and family violence. The aim of the project was to understand the nature of services, the case management approach and the service system pathways for children and young people exposed to DFV and who were also engaged with the child protection system. In this Research to Practice issue, we explore the implications of the findings from our study of the current practice of Child Safety Officers (CSOs) in Queensland and non government (NGO) practitioners in the South West region of Queensland who work with children and young people in the child protection system who have also experienced domestic and family violence. Our study details the levels of engagement from CSOs and practitioners with children and young people in their case management processes. This document provides a useful reflection framework that is relevant for CSOs and practitioners across Australia. For further information on the study, read the full report: https://doi.org/10.26199/5e2fc4dd37b96Item Open Access Main findings from the kContact trial of a contact intervention to support parents with children in out-of-home care(Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, 2020)[Key points] This research summary outlines the main outcomes and implications for practice of the kContact study which was conducted across three jurisdictions in Australia. The trial took place between 2015 and 2017 in Victoria and ACT, and 2017 to 2018 in NSW. The kContact study is the largest trial to date testing the effectiveness of a contact intervention (the kContact Practice Model) in the out of home care context. The main component of the kContact Practice Model consisted of the key workers contacting parents before and after each contact visit to provide them with support. This support helped parents clarify their concerns and expe ctations about contact, and provid ed practical and emotional support for the next visit with the study child. The study demonstrated that the kContact intervention significantly reduced the proportion of contact visits cancelled by parents. In addition when the program was fully delivered it significantly improved caseworkers’ receptivity to family contact, and significantly improved parents’ satisfaction with contact. T he study showed that supporting parents can be an effective approach to improving contact experiences that can be easily embedded in the current casework practice. These findings demonstrate the benefit of the kContact Practice Model in providing support to parents to attend contact visits. Given the distress children experience when visits are cancelled or when parents fail to attend a scheduled visit, and when contact visits are negative experiences, being able to show an improvement on these outcomes as a result of the intervention is particularly important. The findings in this research summary are based on the following publication: Suomi, A., Lucas, N., McArthur, M., Humphreys, C., Dobbins, T., & Taplin, S. (2020). Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to Support Parental Contact for Children in Out-of-Home Care. Child Abuse & Neglect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104708
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