Bibliographies
The following bibliography has been compiled from the Australian Family & Society Abstracts database and other resources held in the Institute's library. Where available a link to the document on the Web is provided. Most items can be borrowed from the Institute's library via the inter library loan system. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Updated October 2009
Rural and remote issues
Australian rural adolescents' experiences
of accessing psychological help for a mental health
problem.
Boyd, Candice; Francis, Kristy; Aisbett, Damon; Newnham,
Krystal; Sewell, Jessica; Dawes, Graham; Nurse, Sarah
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.3 Jun 2007:
196-200
This study explores Australian adolescents' experiences
of accessing help for a mental health problem in rural
communities, based on a survey of students at a regional
university. The participants highlighted various barriers
faced in rural communities, including a lack of anonymity,
social stigma, and the culture of self reliance. School
counsellors were often perceived as more approachable
than general practitioners. As many mental illnesses
emerge during adolescence, these findings will help
service planning in rural areas.
Barriers to the provision of care for people
with dementia and their carers in a rural community.
Hansen, Emily; Robinson, Andrew; Mudge, Peter; Crack,
Peter
Australian Journal of Primary Health v.11 no.1 2005:
72-79
This community initiated qualitative research project,
conducted in a remote Tasmanian community, investigated
barriers to the provision of care for people with
dementia (PWD) and their carers. Focus group discussions
were held with family member carers of PWD, members
of the Aged Care Assessment Team, nurses employed
in the local hospital and a local nursing home, community
health nurses and local general practitioners. Two
semi structured interviews were conducted with a
dementia support worker allocated to service the
region and a single family member carer. Barriers
to the effective provision of care for PWD and their
carers were identified: distance and isolation; perceptions
of geographic and professional boundaries including
issues of medical dominance; and gaps in health care
provider and carers' knowledge about dementia and
dementia services. These results demonstrate that
it is important to recognise local context when planning
and providing services for PWD and other chronic
diseases. (Journal abstract, edited)
Barriers to the provision of home and community
care services to culturally and linguistically
diverse populations in rural Australia.
Ward, Bernadette; Ellis, Julie; Anderson, Karen
Australian Journal of Primary Health v.11 no.2 2005:
147-155, figure
In 2002, data was gathered from culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) population residents, service providers
and key stakeholders across rural Victoria, to describe
barriers to the effective delivery of home services
to people from CALD populations in rural Australia.
For CALD residents, barriers included lack of information
about the range of available services, cultural factors,
and negative past and recent experiences in dealing
with both the broader community and service providers.
Service providers indicated lack of information about
the profile of the local CALD population and lack
of experience in working with these groups. Communication
was an issue for CALD residents and service providers,
in terms of cultural factors and specific communication
strategies such as inadequate printed material and
under utilisation of existing resources such as interpreter
services. Greater attention needs to be given to
the needs of rural CALD population groups in accessing
home services. (Journal abstract, edited)
Beyond the drought: Towards a broader understanding
of rural disadvantage.
Hall, Greg; Scheltens, Melinda
Rural Society v.15 no.3 2005: 347-358
This paper explores the discourse of crisis and personal
tragedy surrounding the drought. It draws on the
authors' experience as both counsellors for the Australian
Government's Drought Hotline and social workers within
Centrelink's Rural Queensland Call service. The notion
of the drought 'crisis' is re-examined and placed
in a broad context of underlying rural disadvantage
and disruption witnessed the the authors in their
work and reported in the literature. The advantages
of ongoing call centre social work services based
around a broader understanding of rural disadvantage
are highlighted with particular reference to Centrelink.
(Journal abstract)
Challenges faced by general practitioners
and allied mental health services in providing
mental health services in rural Queensland.
Bambling, Matthew; Kavanagh, David; Lewis, Gisela;
King, Robert; King, David; Sturk, Heidi; Turpin,
Merrill; Gallois, Cindy; Bartlett, Helen
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.2 Apr
2007: 126-130
This paper examines the views of rural practitioners
concerning issues and challenges in mental health
service delivery and possible solutions. It presents
findings from a qualitative study of eight general
practices from eight rural Queensland towns, three
rural mental health services and two non-government
organisations, concerning key mental health issues
facing the towns, how they might be addressed, and
what challenges would be faced in addressing them.
The study found there was substantial consensus that
there are significant problems with inter-service
communication and liaison, and that improved collaboration
and shared care will form a critical part of any
effective solution. Differences between groups reflected
differing organisational contexts and priorities,
and limitations to the understanding each had of
the challenges that other groups were facing. (Journal
abstract)
Dimensions of pastoral care: Student wellbeing in rural
Catholic schools.
Ollerenshaw, Alison; McDonald, John
Australian Journal of Primary Health v.12 no.2 Aug 2006: 137-145,
figure, tables
This paper investigates the health and welfare
needs of students (n = 15,806) and the current service model in Catholic
schools in the Ballarat Diocese of Victoria, Australia. Catholic schools
use a service model underpinned by an ethos of pastoral care; there is a
strong tradition of self-reliance within the Catholic education system
for meeting students' health and welfare needs. The central research
questions are: What are the emerging health and welfC re needs of
students? How does pastoral care shape the service model to meet these
needs? What model/s might better meet students 'primary health care
needs? The research methods involved analysis of (1) extant databases of
expressed service needs including referrals (n = 1,248) to Student
Services over the last 2.5 years, (2) trends in the additional funding
support such as special needs funding for students and the Education
Maintenance Allowance for families, and (3) semi-structured individual
and group interviews with 98 Diocesan and school staff responsible for
meeting students' health and welfare needs. Analysis of expressed service
needs revealed a marked increase in service demand, and in the complexity
and severity of students' needs. Thematic analysis of qualitative
interview data revealed five pressing issues: the health and welfare
needs of students; stressors in the school community; rural isolation;
role boundaries and individualised interventions; and self-reliant
networks of care. Explanations for many of these problems can be located
in wider social and economic forces impacting upon the church and rural
communities. It was concluded that the pastoral care model-as it is
currently configured-is not equipped to meet the escalating primary
health care needs of students in rural areas. This paper considers the
implications for enhanced primary health care in both rural communities
and in schools. (Journal abstract)
Domains of rural social work practice.
Cheers, Brian; Darracott, Ros; Lonne, Bob
Rural Society v.15 no.3 2005: 234-251, figure
Even though there is substantial agreement about
the nature of rural contexts, practice principles,
and factors influencing practice we still do not
have a framework for organising this knowledge in
a way that can directly inform the practitioner in
their day-to-day work. In this paper, we introduce
the concepts 'practice domains', 'domain location',
and 'domain alignment' that, taken together, provide
such a framework. We suggest that each practitioner
works within a number of practice domains. A domain
is a discourse about practice comprising narratives
about how a social worker should practise and which
factors they should take most account of in their
practice decision making. Each practitioner, and
each practice process, can be located somewhere within
each domain (domain location) and also situated amongst
domains according to their relative alignment with
each of them (domain alignment). In this paper the
authors present this framework and show how it is
useful for practitioners in understanding practice,
identifying factors influencing it, and making practice
decisions in immediate concrete situations. (Journal
abstract)
Falling through the cracks: Supporting young people with dual
diagnosis in rural and regional Victoria.
Kenny, Amanda;
Kidd, Susan; Tuena, Jenni; Jarvis, Melanie; Robertson, Angela
Australian Journal of Primary Health v.12 no.3 Dec 2006: 12-19
There are significant barriers to the provision of optimal care for
young people with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse,
particularly in rural and regional areas. Dual diagnosis programs that
focus on both substance abuse and mental health issues demonstrate
greatly improved client outcomes. Developing a peer education program
provides one constructive way of involving dual diagnosis consumers in
developing more responsive health services. It provides a highly
structured and supported way of involving consumers who ordinarily find
mental health services bewildering and inaccessible. By drawing on the
knowledge and skills of young people with dual diagnosis, and involving
them as peer educators, the notion of expertise in lived experience is
captured and harnessed to provide the establishment of a consumer focused
service that better meets the needs of this complex, often neglected,
client group. (Journal abstract, edited)
Families on the fringe. Promoting the social inclusion of young families moving to non-metropolitan areas (PDF 1.1 MB).
K. Healy, M. Rawsthorne, A Donnet, F. Caniglia, A. Hampshire and A. Michaux
The University of Queensland, School of Social Work and Human Services, June 2009
This study focuses on the movement of young families to non-metropolitan areas of Queensland and New South Wales, with the aim of building an understanding of the experiences and needs of these families.
Forging a new paradigm for Australian rural
social work practice.
Alston, Margaret
Rural Society v.15 no.3 2005: 276-283
Rural Australia is in crisis. Decades of restructuring,
overlaid with a crippling drought, have left small
inland rural areas facing major social problems.
Population loss and a decline in service and infrastructure
typify rural communities at a time when rural people
face increased stress, social isolation and mental
health problems. Population loss and a decline in
service and infrastructure typify rural communities
at a time when rural people face increased stress,
social isolation and mental health problems. At the
same time, federal and state governments have largely
turned their backs on rural communities arguing that
rural people must become more self-reliant. In this
paper, I argue that circumstances demand a commitment
from social workers to develop a new model of rural
social work, and put forward my ideas about what
this model might look like. I invite readers to comment
on and contribute to the further development of this
model so that social workers might make a contribution
to the enhancement of rural communities. (Journal
abstract)
Going bush: Youth work in rural settings.
Sercombe, Howard
Youth Studies Australia v.25 no.3 Sept 2006: 9-16
This paper is a reflection on the author's experience
as a youth worker in the Western Australian Goldfields
towns of Laverton (population 450, 1,000km NE of
Perth) and Kalgoorlie (population 30,000, 600km ENE
of Perth). While there are things that make youth
work in these settings difficult, there is also a
richness and holism in youth work practice outside
the city. The existence of a real community where
people (including decision makers) actually know
each other makes long term change for young people
a real possibility. Living in the community in which
you work, and where all your clients know where you
live, also raises some interesting issues of accountability,
ethics and practice. (Journal abstract)
Going home from hospital: The postdischarge experience of
patients and carers in rural and remote Queensland.
Williams, Chris; Thorpe, Rosamund; Harris, Nonie; Dickinson, Hilary;
Barrett, Chris; Rorison, Francine
Australian Journal of Rural
Health v.14 no.1 Feb 2006: 9-13
This paper reports on a study
of the experiences of patients and carers discharged from the Townsville
General Hospital into rural and remote communities in North Queensland.
The findings presented in this paper are drawn from post discharge and in
depth, qualitative interviews of both patients and carers, and indicate
that the importance of examining the lived experience of both patients
and carers in attempting to understand the impact of current discharge
practices. The authors conclude that carers are providing the bulk of
post discharge care of patients which is a difficult role in which the
difficulties are exacerbated when the patient or the carer or both is a
long way from the home community. (Journal abstract, edited)
Great lifestyle, pity about the job stress:
Occupational stress in rural human service practice.
Green, Rosemary; Lonne, Bob
Rural Society v.15 no.3 2005: 252-266
Social workers, welfare workers and others living
and working in small rural communities report that
they are generally highly satisfied with their work
and lifestyle. Paradoxically, high levels of occupational
stress are also reported. Rural welfare work has
elements such as the adoption of dual and multiple
roles, cultural 'isolation', the blurring of work
and home, professional and citizenship roles, and
lack of anonymity, which can contribute to occupational
stress. Concerns about personal and family safety
with exposure to episodes of violence, harassment
and bullying within small communities also can contribute
to feeling stressed. Using qualitative and quantitative
data gained from the authors' two Australian studies,
together with international research, this paper
examines rural practice and occupational stress.
Whilst employers and colleagues may attribute stress
reactions to the individual practitioner's inability
to cope with the demands of rural practice, strategies
that are both systematic and structural are required
to address this significant occupational issue. (Journal
abstract)
Human services management in rural contexts.
Lehmann, Jennifer
British Journal of Social Work v.35 no.3 Apr 2005:
355-371
Some of the features of managing social work services
in rural contexts are identified in this article.
The article focuses on issues relating to role, relationships,
isolation, access to resources and training. It highlights
ways in which rural managers' experiences differ
from those of urban service providers, particularly
in the necessity for rural managers to create and
maintain partnerships within the community, and to
foster the building of social capital.
Medical clinic facilities and doctor characteristics:
What older rural men value.
Newton, Fiona J; Ewing, Michael T; Burney, Sue; Vella-Brodrick,
Dianne
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.1 Feb
2007: 41-45, figures, table
In this study, 82 men over the age of 55 living in
rural north west Victoria completed a questionnaire
asking what they considered to be the important characteristics
of medical clinic facilities and doctors. The results
showed that bulk billing was important to men on
low incomes, and that participants wanted a general
practitioner with good communication skills. Qualifications
were seen as more important than nationality or gender.
Mental health issues and resources in rural and
regional communities: An exploration of perceptions
of service providers.
communities: an exploration of perceptions of service
providers.
Turpin, Merrill; Bartlett, Helen; Kavanagh,
David; Gallois, Cindy
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.2
Apr 2007: 131-136, tables
This paper sought to identify
service providers' and community organisations' perceptions of the
resources available to support people with mental illness and the unmet
needs of this client group in rural Queensland. An exploratory study was
undertaken involving focus group interviews. Participants identified gaps
in services in relation to health, employment and education, housing and
accommodation, transport and social inclusion and health promotion.
Inter-service communication and inappropriate funding models were themes
affecting service delivery. (Journal abstract, edited)
Mental health referral role of rural financial
counsellors.
Fuller, Jeffrey; Broadbent, Jessica
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.14 no.2 Apr
2006: 79-85, table, figures
A survey of Australian rural financial counsellors
(RFCs) was undertaken to quantify the proportion
of RFC clients requiring social, emotional and stress
related (SESR) assistance and the referral of these
clients to other services. Counsellors reported that
on average 20 per cent of their clients required
SESR assistance and half of the counsellors referred
more than 75 per cent of these clients. Referrals
were mainly to GPs, mental health teams, personal
counselling and health and welfare organisations.
Almost half reported that referrals were difficult
because of rural clients' reluctance to acknowledge
such problems and use mental services, as well as
the lack of these services. Strategies identified
to improve referrals were to network with mental
health and personal counsellors in the region, training
and a referral guide. Because RFCs are a first contact
for rural people in crisis, they could be brought
into a local counselling network. This network could
improve the process of referrals and build local
mental health system capacity. (Journal abstract,
edited)
Natural disasters, climate change and mental
health considerations for rural Australia.
Morrissey, Shirley A; Reser, Joseph P
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.2 Apr
2007: 120-125
This paper addresses a very salient feature of rural
life and landscapes in Australia - natural disasters
- and offers a psychological perspective on individual
and community perceptions, responses, preparedness
and planning. The convergent perspective offered
reflects research and practice findings and insights
from social and environmental psychology, as well
as clinical, health and community psychology. The
objective is to briefly characterise how these psychological
approaches frame the psychological and social reality
of these threats and events, and to canvas what insights
and evidence-based best practice psychology have
to offer allied professionals and paraprofessionals,
and rural communities, as they experience and come
to terms with the vagaries and extremes of the Australian
environment. (Journal abstract)
Rural adolescents' attitudes to seeking
help for mental health problems.
Francis, Kristy; Boyd, Candice; Aisbett, Damon; Newnham,
Karyn; Newnham, Krystal
Youth Studies Australia v.25 no.4 Dec 2006: 42-49,
table
Little research has been undertaken into the barriers
facing rural adolescents seeking help and support
for mental health problems. This study presented
students from rural secondary schools in Victoria
with hypothetical scenarios involving adolescents
in rural areas with mental disorders and posed questions
in order to create group discussion. The results
revealed a range of perceived barriers to helpseeking
that could be considered unique to rural settings.
However, adolescents also expressed positive attitudes
and identified a range of professional help sources
available to them. The findings support recent moves
towards providing school-based mental health services
to young people in rural areas. (Journal abstract)
Rural and remote communities.
Lonne, Bob; Darracott, Ros
In: Chui, Wing Hong and Wilson, Jill eds. Social
work and human services best practice. Annandale,
NSW: Federation Press, 2006, p172-191, figure
Social work practice in rural and remote communities
is characterised by closer practitioner / community
relationships, the use of generic methods in generalist
practice across many fields, personal and professional
isolation, and structural and resource inadequacies.
This chapter presents a framework for understanding
these issues and identifies best practice approaches
in generalist practice and in the fields of child
protection and family violence, health care, and
with young people, youth justice and corrections.
Shared care, shared dream: Model of shared care in rural
Australia between mental health services and general
practitioners.
Samy, D Chinna; Hall, Philip; Rounsevell,
Jacquie; Carr, Rodney
Australian Journal of Rural Health v.15 no.1
Feb 2007: 35-40, figures, tables
The objective of this
Victorian study was to identify a working model between rural and remote
mental health services and local GPs in Australia. GPs responded to a
questionnaire assessing their satisfaction levels with the involvement of
the mental health services in their ongoing management of those who were
mentally ill in the community. The results showed a greater sense of
satisfaction with the mental health services over the five years of the
program. This study offers a model on how a rural mental health service
could enter into a shared care program with the local general practice
and achieve a greater level of satisfaction in serving rural communities.
(Journal abstract, edited)
Team around the child: Working together
in early childhood intervention: An initiative
of the Rural Beginnings Project.
Davies, Sue, ed.
Wagga Wagga, NSW: Kurrajong Waratah, 2007, 188p,
figures, illus., 1 CD-ROM
The Kurrajong Early Intervention Service is an initiative
of the Rural Beginnings project, a pilot project
funded under the Australian Government's Early Childhood
- Invest to Grow program. The Kurrajong Early Intervention
Service is family centred and offers a transdisciplinary
team approach to serve children with disabilities
or multiple developmental delays and their families
in Wagga Wagga in regional New South Wales. This
book describes their practice and service delivery
strategies, incorporating assessment, family centred
practice, family service plans, therapy, special
education, school transition, and management.
The impact of drought on secondary education access
in Australia's rural and remote areas. A report
to DEST and the Rural Education Program of FRRR.
(PDF 2.1 MB)
Alston, Margaret; Kent, Jenny
Wagga Wagga,
NSW: Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt
University, 2006, illus., and Online
This report examines how
drought affects educational access and provision in rural and remote
areas, drawing upon interviews with affected communities. The report
considers the effects on primary school students, secondary students,
tertiary students, and Indigenous students, and the use of allowances,
home tutoring, township accommodation for mothers and children, and
boarding schools. The problems of decreasing populations, school
closures, school retention, post-school opportunities, and travel from
remote areas, highlight the close link between communities, social
problems, and young people. The areas studied in this project were Hay,
Balranald, and Cootamundra in New South Wales; Longreach and Blackall in
Queensland; and Cohuna and Kerang in Victoria.
What does wellbeing mean? Perspectives of wellbeing among
young people and youth workers in rural Victoria.
Bourke,
Lisa; Geldens, Paula
Youth Studies Australia v.26 no.1 Mar 2007:
41-49, tables
Well being is a well used but ill defined term
in youth research. This paper describes research that explored the ways
in which young people and youth workers define well being. The findings
suggest that both groups agreed that well being was a multidimensional
concept. However, the young people were more likely to consider well
being to be influenced by individual factors, such as the state of their
relationships, while the youth workers were more likely to emphasise the
importance of structural factors. The different focuses of young people
and youth workers may mean that each group works toward different but not
necessarily contradictory goals. In fact, the goals may compliment each
other. (Journal abstract)
Where is care in the country? Let's provide rural victim
survivors of sexual assault with after hours crisis care.
Parkinson, Debra
Wangaratta, Vic: Upper Murray Centre Against
Sexual Assault, and Jigsaw Research, 2007, 53p
Using a case
study approach, this research investigates the access to support
services, levels of care and advocacy, and legal outcomes for six women
rape victims. Three of the women had access to a crisis care unit in
Melbourne, whereas the three women from the Hume Region of Victoria did
not. The findings show that the three rural women received less
satisfactory medical, forensic, legal and emotional support. Victoria
currently has four rural crisis care units. The report concludes that
many more are needed so that people who have suffered sexual assault can
receive physical treatment, emotional support and advocacy services all
in the one place at the one time.
You're much older than you sound on the
phone, dear: A personal perspective on working
with remote volunteers.
Maynard, Hazel
Australian Journal on Volunteering v.11 no.2 2006:
70-74
Supporting and managing a volunteer program can be
one of the most interesting jobs in the not for profit
sector. Depending on the size of the program and
the organisational setting, the volunteer program
manager may face many challenges and frustrations.
However, these are usually outnumbered by the rewards
of working with volunteers and by the satisfaction
gained from playing a significant role in the program's
development, particularly if the organisation is
proactive in its acknowledgement of the volunteers'
contribution to the success of the organisation.
Not all volunteers are conveniently based in a central
office or location. Many not for profit organisations
and community groups run state wide, national or
international programs where volunteers and paid
staff are scattered across a wide geographical area.
This presents a different set of challenges, but
with a positive approach, endless creativity, resourcefulness
and a sense of humour, these can be overcome. (Journal
abstract, edited)