Current Irish governmental policies advocate the development and evaluation of recovery-orientated mental health services. This study evaluated a new recovery-orientated mental health service in the Health Service Executive West region. During 2007–2008, long-term users of the service (N = 39) were interviewed to obtain their individual perspectives and experiences of attending the service. A semi-structured interview collected quantitative and qualitative data on seven recovery-related themes. Specific emphasis was placed on assessing performance-related tasks. Schizophrenia was the most common psychiatric diagnosis (46%). The results revealed that service users relied on the service for basic needs, including regular midday meals (90%), personal care (40%), and housing (50%). One-in-four service users correctly reported a psychiatric diagnosis that was consistent with their medical file. Although several service users were forthcoming with recommendations about how the service could change in the future, acquiescence was evident in a number of interviews. In conclusion, the service in this study essentially provides care for the service users, but does not empower them to live productive and goal-orientated lives. This practice does not appear to be congruent with current government policies advocating that mental health services adopt a model of least restrictive care in daily interactions with service users.
Previous research has suggested that the children of teenage parents are at a high risk of developing both internalising and externalising behaviour disorders. The current study aimed to explore pathways through which children of teenage mothers show more externalising and internalising psychopathology than their peers whose parents were older. The present study used data from the first wave of the ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ 9-year-old cohort and employed structural equation modelling to assess the explanatory value of a model informed by previous research findings. Goodness-of-fit indices indicated that many aspects of the familial environment of Irish teenage families did indeed place children at a substantial risk of problematic developmental outcomes. In particular, the results implicated the influential power of economic stability and familial conflict on the well-being of teenage families and related child outcomes, results similar to those reported in international studies.
Childhood eating habits and associations with advertising persist through life. Obesity is high in Ireland, and is increasing worldwide. Links between food promotion and children’s diets are well-established, and the World Health Organisation has called for reduced marketing of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) to children. In Ireland and the UK, statutory regulation restricts HFSS television advertising, but only during children’s programming – yet children view much television at other times. This study is the first to identify young children’s exposure to television food advertising on the island of Ireland (IoI), and its nature, with systematic sampling according to Irish audience panel research. Food advertisements were nutrient profiled and content analyses were conducted of marketing techniques. The IoI ‘advertised diet’ viewed by young children primarily features dairy and fast foods, pizza, sweets and chocolate, normalising this consumption and associating it with taste/aroma, fun, magic/i...
The job satisfaction–job performance link is a topic which has generated discussion in the psychological literature for decades, and one which remains contentious still. Current research has called for the reinvestigation of this relationship in light of improved understanding of the complex nature of job satisfaction, improved measures and advanced statistical techniques. The current study examines the link between job satisfaction and job performance within a sample of, often overlooked, retail employees (N = 416), whilst drawing out the key facets of job satisfaction acting to predict job performance. Results show a weak, but significant relationship between job satisfaction and job performance r = .24, p < .001. Multiple regression was used, with the model explaining a significant amount of variance in job performance scores: R2 = .228, F(5, 192) = 11.31, p lt; .001. Findings highlight the impact of satisfaction with nature of work, communication and contingent rewards on job performance (β = .42, t(192) = 5.46, p < .001; β = .22, t(192) = 2.62, p = .01; β = −0.21, t(192) = −2.47, p = .01, respectively). The findings have implications for retail organisations, with a message that Irish retail managers may be able to improve job performance levels within their organisations without adding significantly to operating costs.
Eleven years post EU enlargement, there are approximately 150,000 Polish nationals living in Ireland. The main aim of the study was to estimate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress through comparisons with normative data drawn from clinical and non-clinical samples. An opportunity sample of 354 Polish migrant participants completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS-21; Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. E. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. Sydney: Psychology Foundation] accompanied with demographic information. The results indicated that the majority of the participants are employed, well educated, and reported good psychological status. However, it is possible that a minority of the participants are struggling with severe levels of anxiety and depression. The results contribute to the existing literature on Polish migration and suggest that the migrants' psychological status is relatively positive.
This study assessed the willingness of elite athletes from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to seek sport psychology consulting (SPC), their perceptions of the potential benefits of SPC to themselves or their team and how accessible they perceive SPC to be. A sample of elite and sub-elite athletes (n = 68) completed an online survey and a sub-sample (n = 7) also participated in a semi-structured interview. Results showed that athletes were willing to seek assistance from SPC for a wide range of topics such as building confidence, improving focus and dealing with injury, although a preference was displayed for topics more readily perceived as directly related to enhancing performance. All SPC topics explored were perceived to be of benefit, with a similar preference expressed for topics more readily associated with enhancing performance, for example, competing as well in competition as in practice, over dealing with personal issues or communication. Chi-square tests revealed athletes with highly effective prior experience of SPC were more receptive to SPC than those with less effective experiences (p < .01). Access to SPC was considered low by 48% of athletes, with identified themes suggesting athlete support networks, either head coaches or governing bodies, were the key decision-makers and 'gatekeepers' regarding athlete access to SPC. The findings have implications for marketing the practical benefits of SPC across the island of Ireland and highlight the room for improvement in providing better athletes' access.
While research has increasingly identified risk factors and protective factors, there has been little research into the impact and predictability of these before and after engaging in a therapeutic intervention. This research addressed this by inviting clients attending a suicide intervention charity to complete questionnaires pre- and post-therapy. Items from the Positive and Negative Suicide Inventory were administered by a therapist before therapy had begun, and by an independent researcher one month after therapy had been completed (n = 147). Lower levels of Negative Suicidal Ideation (desire to die) and higher levels of Positive Suicidal Ideation (desire to live) were reported post-therapy. Analysis on protective factors identified three significant differences pre-therapy. The greatest predictor of positive ideation was more frequent physical activity. There were no differences post-therapy. For risk factors, there were five significant differences pre-therapy, with having a plan to die by suicide the greatest predictor of suicidal ideation. Post-therapy there were difference for gender and age. The risk factors that best predicted suicidal ideation pre-therapy were not significant post-therapy, suggesting that risk factors may be moderated by therapeutic intervention. The presence of age and gender as continued risk factors raised questions over the permanence and classification of risk factors, and the potential ability of different intervention approaches to effectively reduce the impact of these factors. This study appears to be the first to explore the presence and persistence of risk and protective factors before and after a therapeutic intervention, and provides a foundation for future research in this area.
The Waterford Mental Health Survey aimed to document the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in patients attending the public mental health service in Waterford, Ireland and outline the implications of this for service development. Between July 2011 and June 2014, 100 inpatients and 99 outpatients were evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interviews for (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) DSM-IV axis I and II disorders, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Global Assessment of Functioning rating scale, the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation family assessment instrument, the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule, and the Readiness for Psychotherapy Index. Ninety-eight per cent of cases had DSM-IV axis I psychiatric disorders and 39.3% of these had comorbid axis II PDs. Between approximately a half and three-quarters of cases with PDs had comorbid anxiety, depressive or alcohol and substance use disorders. Compared to those without PDs, cases with PDs had experienced more child maltreatment; had poorer personal and family functioning and more severe presenting problems; and reported greater unmet service needs and motivation for psychotherapy. Approximately two out of five patients attending the public mental health services in Waterford, and other similar services internationally, require specialist psychological therapy for PDs which addresses low levels of personal and family functioning and past history of child maltreatment.
This article considers the context in which the Division of Educational Psychology (DEP) of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and the profession of educational psychologist emerged in Ireland. Education itself provided the stimulus and locus for many important events in the history of psychology as a science and profession, and each discipline owes much to the other. Educational issues concerned PSI from the very beginning, and a committee or special interest group emerged in the 1970s. The article outlines three discourses that led to the growth of special needs education in Ireland in the latter half of the twentieth century, and these, influenced strongly by developments in other countries and by litigation against the state, led to radical change in government policy-making here. Ground-breaking legislation embodying a changed notion of what school education is, and marking a new relationship between the school and the individual pupil followed. Educational psychologists would be central to t...
The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) Rehabilitation Psychology Special Interest Group (RPSIG) has had a relatively short history, having been founded in 2004. This is in contrast to Division 22 – Rehabilitation Psychology of the American Psychological Association (APA), which was established in 1958 and was one of the first divisions of APA. In the context of the 40th Anniversary of the PSI and the call for articles on the history of the Society and its subgroups, the aim of this article is to reflect on the RPSIG in comparison to the APA Division. Apart from the age difference, the Irish SIG has a significantly smaller membership than its American counterpart and reflects a much narrower range of interests. Recognising the influence of the broader context this article will also compare the extent to which the field of rehabilitation psychology has developed in the USA where it has its own board of professional accreditation since 1995 with the current level of development and status in Ireland. Some conclusions are drawn in relation to the potential future directions for the RPSIG.
The emergence of psychology in Ireland – both as an academic discipline employing scientific methodology and as an area of professional application – is briefly outlined. The challenges involved in pioneering the new discipline in the 1960s highlighted the need for a representative body to provide professional support and to advance the interests of psychology and psychologists in the country. Against that background the founders set out to promote a positive professional identity by establishing a single organisation representing all psychologists in the country but catering for specialisations in its sub-groups. The main stages in consultation and planning that led to the founding of The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) in May 1970 are described.
The present study examined and compared the profiles, demographics and mental health characteristics of male street prostitutes (MSPs) in Dublin, Ireland and San Francisco, USA. A total of twenty-three participants were recruited using a non-random direct approach and a snowball sampling technique. Participants took part in a semi-structured interview. Analysis revealed that, in both cities, the principal predisposing factor for entry into male street-based prostitution was drug addiction, with childhood abuse and early school leaving also reported to act as contributing factors. Several differences were observed, particularly in relation to family circumstances, sexual orientation, access to support and experience of violence. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, Drug Assessment Screening Test, CAGE questionnaire and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Results showed statistically significant higher levels of depression amongst the Dublin MSPs compared to those in San Francisco. There were no statistically significant differences in self-esteem, suicidal ideation, or alcohol or other drug dependencies. Similarities and differences between MSPs in Dublin and San Francisco are discussed with reference to the relevant literature.
The introduction of statutory registration for psychologists in the Republic of Ireland was largely driven by the European Union. The model of registration adopted was devised by the Irish Department of Health and implemented by the regulatory body, CORU. The professional body, the Psychological Society of Ireland, made inputs and had some influence on the model. From the 1980s onwards concerns existed about the form statutory registration might take and the consequences it might have for the profession. These concerns centred on: the lack of influence psychologists might have over their own practice and profession post registration; possible splits within the profession between practitioners and academics and between health-related and non-health psychologists; the possible lowering of professional standards; and the impact on the Society's membership of the introduction of compulsory statutory registration fees and the loss of some functions by the Society. In this article the forces that influenced statutory registration in Ireland and the extent to which the above concerns were addressed are discussed.
Limited qualitative findings are available concerning the rationale given for rating one's health, particularly in an Irish context. We had the opportunity to investigate explanations given by older adults about their self-rated health, among a sample of 447 older adults. Qualitative interview data were gathered using a telephone assessment. Data were analysed using the thematic framework approach. Participants also rated their own health using a verbal rating scale, where 1 represents poor health and 10 represents optimal health. 'Absence of disease', 'psychological functioning', 'specific troubles', 'age and physiology', 'health care utilisation' and 'mobility and functioning' were found to be the main themes of explanation referred to by the sample. Five per cent of the sample were non-reflective about their self-rated health, and gave no reasons for their ratings. Typically, individuals with lower self-rated health tended to allude to specific troubles and mobility issues, while those with high self-rated health attributed this to their lack of health care utilisation and lack of disease or mobility issues. We hereby report novel explanations for rating personal health among community-dwelling older Irish adults. These results provide a basis for understanding how the older Irish rate cohort their own health, and what it takes for them to experience themselves as healthy.
Adults display superior performance on tasks of facial expression recognition when compared to children and adolescents. Embodied simulation strategies contribute to emotion recognition performance in adults. To date however, the use of such strategies in children and adolescents has not been examined. The present study investigated the development of facial expression recognition from an embodied perspective in a sample of 43 children (Mean age = 8.02 years), 35 adolescents (Mean age = 12.69 years) and 39 adults (Mean age = 19.92 years). In a three-alternative forced-choice emotion recognition task, children and adolescents were less accurate at recognising faces displaying sadness than they were at recognising happiness. Adults were equally as accurate at identifying happiness and sadness. All groups were less accurate at recognising fear than recognising both happiness and sadness. In trials in which the emotions were accurately recognised, all age groups were significantly slower at recognising fear than happiness. A non-linear developmental trend was observed for trials involving sad faces suggesting the need to consider pubertal status in future studies of facial expression recognition. A facial mimicry interference condition significantly interfered with the speed, but not the accuracy, of recognition of all emotions in all three groups. These findings converge with findings in the literature on emotion recognition by replicating performance differences in facial expression recognition across age groups. They also provide the first evidence for the use of embodied simulation strategies in children and adolescents during emotion recognition tasks.
Research conducted in the USA suggests that adults possess a bias towards teleological – or purpose-based – explanations of natural objects and phenomena, known as Promiscuous Teleology (PT). This study aimed to investigate PT using an Irish sample. Participants judged a series of statements about why different natural phenomena occur as correct/incorrect. There were two experimental conditions where participants responded under speeded conditions, and a control condition where participants were not pressured. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that participants in the experimental conditions judged significantly more scientifically unwarranted teleological explanations (e.g., ‘The sun makes light so that plants can photosynthesise’) correct than participants in the control condition. Significantly, participants were not more error-prone on control item explanations (e.g., ‘Polar bears are white because the sun bleaches them’, an unwarranted physical-causal explanation) in experimental conditions, supporting teleology as a default cognitive process. Follow-up analyses of variance revealed that distinctions between explicit and implicit teleological explanations made in the literature are valid. This study also sought to establish whether individual differences could predict PT. Locus of Control, measured with a self-report psychometric test, did not correlate with PT in a Multiple Linear Regression. Possible interpretations of these results, alongside their implications, are discussed.
Impaired self-awareness (ISA) is common following acquired brain injury (ABI) and is related to functional outcome variables. This study examines two questionnaires currently used in clinical and research settings, which measure ISA by comparing patient reports with those of clinicians and significant others. This study also attempts to identify sensitive neuropsychological tests which may be used to predict ISA. A multivariate cross-sectional design is employed, including regression analyses and correlations. Fifty-four participants with ABI completed the Awareness Questionnaire (AQ), the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Clinicians and significant others of each participant completed the AQ and the DEX. Findings support convergent validity of the two questionnaires; however, there were differences in the response patterns on each questionnaire. Regression analyses indicated that estimated IQ and in particular verbal IQ scores accounted for a greater amount of the variance in awareness than executive functioning test scores. The variance accounted for by executive functioning test scores was low and only partial support for current cognitive neuropsychological models of self-awareness was observed. The value of obtaining multiple informant reports when assessing patient self-awareness is highlighted.
The present study aimed to investigate the degree to which serial testing may impact neuropsychological test scores following serial evaluation of executive function. Healthy control data were retrospectively analysed, recruited as part of a longitudinal study of cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As part of a larger battery of tests, participants were assessed using The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test (n = 31), Backward Digit-span (n = 22), The Stroop Colour-Word Test (n = 30) and Phonemic Fluency (n = 29). Participants completed the tests on three occasions at 6-month intervals. Results showed no statistically significant difference between any of the measures of executive function over the three time points. Further covariate analyses showed that intellectual ability was not a confounding variable when investigating practice effects, as previously reported in literature. In an Irish cohort, participants did not show statistically significant changes over time on neuropsychological tests, either positively or negatively. Although these findings should be considered exploratory due to sample size, the wide age range and the retrospective nature of analysis, the data suggests practice effects did not significantly influence the test results in this cohort when assessed at 6-month intervals. Implications relative to these findings are discussed.
Empirical evidence indicates that parental suicide during childhood is a risk factor for mental health difficulties and even suicide, highlighting a need for efficacy-based interventions for suicide-bereaved children. This study presents a child-centred longitudinal evaluation of a group work intervention for suicide-bereaved children aged 8–12 years. Five children aged 8–12 years participated in the intervention. The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) measured emotional and behavioural problems and social competence. A function assessment method was adapted to explore the impact of bereavement through suicide on children's functioning, while the study also used semi-structured interviews and a social network and strength of relationships method. The study found that four-fifths of children scored within the clinical range for internalising and externalising problems pre-intervention while social competency was within a normative range. Six months post-intervention, symptomatology had decreased substantially. Four years on, some participants had taken leadership roles in their schools on suicide-prevention initiatives. Children's qualitative reports highlighted that participation in group work enhanced connectedness, emotional expression, family communication processes, memory and sense-making, and processes associated with active coping in suicide-bereaved children. Reflecting on the methodology a small sample size and the lack of a control group were key limitations. However, it is a unique study in the Irish context. In conclusion, group work appears able to address isolation, stigma and communication challenges with suicide-bereaved children and highlights the contribution of peer support.
The current study used multi-group structural equation modelling (SEM) to test a fully and partially mediated Extended Rational Model of Work-Life Conflict and examine the impact of job involvement, workaholism, work intensity, organisational expectations and support, and having children on work hours, work-life conflict and psychological strain in male and female academics. In total, 410 academics from three Irish universities completed an electronic questionnaire survey. Results indicated both commonalities and differences in the factors that influence work hours, work-life conflict and levels of psychological strain in men and women. Lower organisation expectations predicted longer working hours in both men and women; additional unique predictors of longer working hours in men were higher work intensity and having children; conversely, higher work enjoyment predicted longer working hours in women, but not men. Higher work intensity predicted higher work-life conflict in men and women. In the final best...
