Psych Attack

This episode and the last one focus on Dr Evita March’s research in the area of cyber psychology. In this second part of our discussion, we consider how the dark tetrad of personality can help us understand cyber dating abuse. Along the way, we consider the role of attachment style and jealousy in intimate partner violence and coercive control online.

Dr Evita March is a Senior Lecturer in psychology in the School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University. If you want to keep up to date with Evita, you can visit her Federation University staff profile page or reach out on Twitter.

Research papers discussed in this episode

Branson, M., & March, E. (2021). Dangerous dating in the digital age: Jealousy, hostility, narcissism, and psychopathy as predictors of cyber dating abuse. Computers in Human Behavior, 119. DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2021.106711

I also refer to this paper, so thought I would share it here too:

Lim, S. Y., & MacDonald, J. B. (2022). COVID-19-related racial discrimination on Asian Australians: An evaluation of symptoms of psychological distress, social support, and acculturation. Traumatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000374

Language warning

This episode refers to the sharing of unsolicited explicit images, sometimes referred to colloquially as ‘dick pics’, a term used occasionally in this episode.

Sensitive content warning

This episode talks about cyber dating abuse. The discussion remains broad and at the level of variables that can predict the likelihood someone might be abusive towards their partner. Please take care while listening and if you are feeling discomfort and think you would benefit from some support, please reach out to your GP or contact a service like Lifeline or 1800RESPECT.

Cite this episode

MacDonald, J. B. & March, E. (2022, June 5). An evolutionary perspective of online behaviour (Part 2: Cyber dating abuse)(No. 11) [Audio podcast episode]. In Psych Attack. www.psychattack.com

Acknowledgements
The transcript for this episode was developed by Eugenie Dale.

This episode and the next one focus on Dr Evita March’s research in the area of cyber psychology. In this first part of our discussion, we start by using mate selection as an example of evolutionary psychology. We then go on to see how the dark tetrad of personality can help us understand antisocial online behaviours like trolling. In the next episode, we dive into Evita’s research on cyber dating abuse.

Dr Evita March is a Senior Lecturer in psychology in the School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University. If you want to keep up to date with Evita, you can visit her Federation University staff profile page or reach out on Twitter.

Research papers discussed in this episode
March, E., & Steele, G. (2020). High esteem and hurting others online: Trait sadism moderates the relationship between self-esteem and internet trolling. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking, 23(7), 441–446. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0652

Sensitive content warning

This episode refers briefly to suicide as a result of being trolled online. However, suicide is not the focus of the episode and lived experiences are not discussed. Please take care while listening and if you are feeling discomfort and think you would benefit from some support, please reach out to your GP or contact a service like Lifeline.

Cite this episode

MacDonald, J. B. & March, E. (2022, April 20). An evolutionary perspective of online behaviour (Part 1: Trolling) (No. 10) [Audio podcast episode]. In Psych Attack. www.psychattack.com

Acknowledgements
The transcript for this episode was developed by Eugenie Dale.

This episode focuses on Dr Will Dobud’s research in the area of outdoor and adventure therapies. We unpack the solution-focused therapeutic work he does on expeditions with young people experiencing poor mental health and/or substance use.

Dr Will Dobud is a Lecturer in social work in the School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University. Will is also the director of True North Expeditions, an adventure therapy program for adolescents, based in Adelaide, Australia. If you want to keep up to date with Will’s work, you can visit his website, CSU staff profile page, or reach out on Twitter or Facebook.

Research papers discussed in this episode

Dobud, W. W., & Harper, N. J. (2018). Of Dodo birds and common factors: A scoping review of direct comparison trials in adventure therapy. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 31, 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.005

Harper, N.J., & Dobud, W.W. (Eds.). (2020). Outdoor therapies: An introduction to practices, possibilities, and critical perspectives (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429352027

Pringle, G., Dobud, W., & Harper, N. J. (2021). The next frontier: Wilderness therapy and the treatment of complex trauma. In E. Brymer, M. Rogerson, & J. Barton (Eds.), Nature and health: Physical activity in nature (1 ed., pp. 191-207). Routledge.

Sponsor shout out

A big thank you to Taylor & Francis for sponsoring this episode. They are providing two electronic copies of Dr Will Dobud’s book ‘Outdoor therapies: An introduction to practices, possibilities, and critical perspectives’ for a special giveaway. To find out more about how to enter the draw to win a copy of Will’s book, please check out the Psych Attack social media accounts on either Twitter or Facebook.

Sensitive content warning

This episode refers briefly to self-harm in the context of therapeutic practice with young people experiencing poor mental health. However, self-harm is not the focus of the episode and lived experiences are not discussed. Please take care while listening and if you are feeling discomfort and think you would benefit from some support, please reach out to your GP or contact a service like Lifeline.

Cite this episode

MacDonald, J. B. & Dobud, W. (2022, Jan 31). Exploring outdoor therapies (No. 9) [Audio podcast episode]. In Psych Attack. www.psychattack.com

Acknowledgements
The transcript for this episode was developed by Eugenie Dale.

This episode focuses on Dr Erica McIntyres’ transdisciplinary research in the area of environmental psychology. We discuss the impact of environmental contaminants and urban design on human and planetary health and wellbeing.

Dr Erica McIntyre is a Research Consultant in the Institute for Sustainable Futures and a Visiting Fellow in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). If you want to keep up to date with Erica’s research, you can visit her UTS staff profile page and Google Scholar page, or reach out on Twitter.

In this episode, Erica refers to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore as an example of biophilic design. You can read about the hospital and see some images here.

Research papers discussed in this episode

Connon, I. L. C., Prior, J. H., McIntyre, E., Adams, J., & Madden, B (2019). How does living with a disability affect resident worry about environmental contamination? A study of a long-term pervasive hazard. Environmental Hazards, 18(5), 459–478. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2019.1627997

McIntyre, E., Prior, J., Connon, I., Adams, J., & Madden, B. (2018). Sociodemographic predictors of residents worry about contaminated sites. The Science of the total environment, 643, 1623–1630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.261

Prior, J. H., Connon, I. L. C., McIntyre, E., Adams, J., Capon, A., Kent, J., Rissel, C., Thomas, L. E., Thompson, S. M., Westcott, H. (2018). Built environment interventions for human and planetary health: Integrating health in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Public Health Research & Practice, 28(4). https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp2841831

Prior, J., Fam, D., McIntyre, E., Adams, J., & Connon, I. 2020. Guide for Creating Stakeholder Engagement Plans for Contaminated Sites in NSW. University of Technology Sydney. http://hdl.handle.net/10453/142930

Cite this episode

MacDonald, J. B. & McIntyre, E. (2021, December 18). The impact of the environment on health and wellbeing (No. 8) [Audio podcast episode]. In Psych Attack. www.psychattack.com

This episode focuses on Dr Abigail Alfrey’s research and practice on the ways animals can be involved in mental health practice. We discuss: (1) the significance of pets for people experiencing psychosis, (2) including dogs in cognitive assessment to improve testing experiences and outcomes for child clients, and (3) reducing practitioner burnout by promoting animals in the workplace. We touch super briefly on other creative methods, like poetry, in therapy.

Dr Abigail Alfrey is Senior Clinical Psychologist at KMPT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service in England, and Sessional Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University. If you want to keep up to date with Abi, you can reach out on LinkedIn.

Research papers discussed in this episode

Alfrey, A. (2021). The influence of dogs’ presence on children’s performance on cognitive tests: Implications for clinical practice. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin.

Alfrey, A., Church, S., Christodoulou, N., & Harding, E. (2022). “Why should the fish feel safe? I don’t feel safe!”: An Audit of Pet Ownership within an NHS Service for Adults with Severe Mental Illness, with Lessons for Service Improvement. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 5(1).

Alfrey, A., Field, V., Xenophontes, I., Springham, N., & Holttum, S. (2022). Identifying the Mechanisms of Poetry Therapy and Perceived Effects on Participants: A Synthesised Replication Case Study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 78, 101882.

More info about other stuff mentioned in this episode

The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO) is the global association of organizations that engage in practice, research and/or education in animal assisted activity, animal assisted therapy, and service animal training.

A short news article about Canterbury Christ Church University work with justice dogs.

A short article about the global trend of pets in the workplace.

Sensitive content warning

This episode refers to suicidal ideation in the context of mental health practice with clients who experience psychosis. However, suicide is not the focus of the episode and lived experiences are not discussed in detail. Please take care while listening and if you are feeling discomfort and think you would benefit from some support, please reach out to your GP or contact a service like Lifeline.

Cite this episode

MacDonald, J. B & Alfred, A. (2022, December 30). The role of animals in mental health practice (No. 13) [Audio podcast episode]. In Psych Attack. www.psychattack.com

Audio edit

The audio for this episode was completed by Amy Edwards. Dr Jasmine B. MacDonald did a final edit for content.