Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Dr Rosemary Webster

• BA (Hons), University of Newcastle
• MPsych(Clin), University of Newcastle,
  Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Peer Support Program in Preventing Alcohol and Tobacco Use
• PhD, University of Newcastle,
  Post-traumatic Stress Reactions Following an Earthquake: Epidemiology, Diagnostic Interviews and Information Processing

• Clinical psychology
• Anxiety disorders particularly Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

I undertook psychology studies at the University of Newcastle as a mature age student with an early background in nursing, completing a Masters in Clinical Psychology in 1990 and PhD in 1998. I commenced academic work in 1994 at the University of Newcastle.

My PhD study was in the area of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I conducted a large, four phase, longitudinal study following the Newcastle earthquake, which occurred in 1989. A major component of this work was epidemiological and explored the psychosocial effects of the earthquake on the Newcastle population over two years post-earthquake. I also conducted clinical interviews and administered information-processing tasks, which provided more in-depth assessment of the effect of traumatic events on people.

My second area of research interest was in substance use and substance-related disorders. I have conducted three research projects exploring social influences on substance use. One project involved assessing adolescent attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol and tobacco use and the influence of parents and peers. A second project assessed the effects of the peer support program on adolescent knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco. The third project assessed social influences on attitudes and behaviours of alcohol dependent adults.

I am currently conducting a treatment trial using EMDR with individuals experiencing PTSD following MVA. Also included in this study are biological and physiological measures.

• Clinical and Health Psychology Research Group

• Anet Babakhani - PhD - Vulnerability to Manic and Depressive Symptoms in Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Belinda Edwards - M - Posttraumatic Stress in Adolescents who are in Fostercare
• Robert Hodgson - PhD
• Kristy Johns - M - An Investigation Of The Psychological Predictors Of Retention In A Long-Term Residential Drug Treatment Program For Women And Their Children - 'Kamira Farm'
• Suzanne Osei - M - A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing In Post Traumatic Stress Disorder