Dr Milena Heinsch

Background: The uptake of traditional mental health services among older adults remains low. Digital peer support offers older adults a resource for engaging with others to independently support their mental well-being. This qualitative study explored the uptake and engagement of a clinically moderated digital peer support platform (Breathing Space) for older adults with depressive symptoms and alcohol use concerns. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 30 participants aged 60¿80 years explored participants' uptake and engagement with Breathing Space, a novel, moderated, private, and anonymous peer support platform. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis and are discussed with reference to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology2. Results: Three themes were constructed to characterize participants' experiences: (i) navigating the complexities of peer-peer online engagement; (ii) the function of anonymity in online connection; and (iii) experiences of app features and content. Conclusions: Future development of digital peer support for older adults would benefit from the following: (i) co-design with older adults; (ii) providing choice over anonymity and increased options for interacting with peers; (iii) streamlining the basic functionality with popular platforms; (iv) providing options for users to curate their digital experience; and (v) providing telephone support for troubleshooting technical difficulties. Future research should explore the use of digital peer support among older adults who experience social exclusion challenges.

Research exploring the benefits of humor for caregivers is limited and, to date, no qualitative studies have explored the role of humor in brain cancer caregiving. To address this gap, we analyzed transcripts from twenty-one in-depth telephone interviews conducted with brain cancer caregivers from a strengths perspective. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's method revealed that humor functions as (1) an innate element of the self and relationship, (2) an expression of mutual connection and understanding, (3) a way of managing difficult or awkward moments, (4) a form of avoidance or a welcome distraction, and may be (5) helpful, or unhelpful, depending on where someone is in the brain cancer trajectory. Findings suggest that humor represents an important yet complex individual and family strength for health service providers to identify and build upon.

There is a need to better understand protective factors for mental and psychological wellbeing beyond the absence of disease. The current review sought to synthesise empirical (qualitative and quantitative) evidence on this topic to inform the development of future mental health and wellbeing interventions for Australian adults. Systematic searches of health and behavioural science databases were conducted to identify studies on protective factors for mental and psychological wellbeing in Australian adults. A total of 38 studies were included based on the following criteria: studies conducted in Australia from 2009 to present; articles written in English; articles which reported on empirical research, articles that were peer-reviewed, and research where study participants were Australian adults (>18 years). Data extraction was conducted using Covidence, and design quality was assessed according to the Levels of Evidence hierarchy. There was consistent evidence that components of social capital, physical and other lifestyle factors, individual attributes and creative arts constitute protective factors for mental and psychological wellbeing in Australian adults. The high prevalence of cross-sectional and self-report studies suggests more randomised and longitudinal research is needed. Additional qualitative research would facilitate a more detailed understanding of participants' lived experiences and perspectives. Existing evidence indicates a significant, positive relationship between social capital, physical and other lifestyle factors, individual attributes and creative arts engagement, and mental and psychological wellbeing among particular groups of Australian adults. Implications are considered for the development of interventions that promote mental health and wellbeing across a wide range of Australian regions and populations.

The paper's research objective pertains to explicating the concept of value co-creation of health and social outcomes in an eHealth digital ecosystem context that is critical in addressing sustainable development goal (SDG) 3 ¿ good health and well-being. It conceptualises a theoretical framework using the dynamics inherent to the value cocreation process involving a user of eHealth services and considers the influences of all involved actors from an activity theory and dialogic engagement perspectives. A Mental Health, Alcohol and other drug use eHealth service (eCLiPSE) assists as a case to illustrate the proposed theoretical framework where three overarching propositions are advanced to provide managerial guidance and critical research enquiry. This framework clarifies the importance of improving dialogic engagement processes during both synchronous and asynchronous interactions over time as value creation pathways. Managerially, the paper points to the importance of optimising service design processes and role readiness of actors (users and healthcare professionals) to better enable consumers to engage in effective dialogue in eHealth interactions for harnessing value co-creation. Through the introduction of this framework, eHealth services can be better delivered and scaled to increase the capacity of care and achieve health outcomes pivotal to the success of SDG3.

From its inception, the social work profession evolved in tandem with public health, and has historically contributed to public health efforts to restore, protect and promote public health principles. In recent times, however, the most prominent role for health-related social work is in hospital-based, multidisciplinary teams. Curiously, scant attention has been paid to the place of social workers' knowledge - their 'epistemic contribution' - within this medical context. This article reports the findings of a scoping review that examined the role and function of social work knowledge in healthcare teams. Thematic analysis of the literature revealed four key themes: (i) a lack of clarity and visibility - 'Ok, what is my role?'; (ii) knowledge Hierarchies - 'Jack of all trades and master of none'?; (iii) mediator and educator - 'Social work is the glue' and (iv) public health principles - 'We think big'. Findings show that despite social work's epistemic confidence, and alliance with broader public health principles and aims, its knowledge can be marginalised and excluded within the multidisciplinary team context. The article introduces Fricker's theory of 'Epistemic Injustice' as a novel framework for inquiry into health care teams, and the mobilisation of social work knowledge within them.

Background: Limited attention has been paid to how and why older adults choose to engage with technology-facilitated health care (e-health), and the factors that impact on this. This scoping review sought to address this gap. Methods: Databases were searched for papers reporting on the use of e-health services by older adults, defined as being aged 60 years or older, with specific reference to barriers and facilitators to e-health use. Result: 14 papers were included and synthesised into five thematic categories and related subthemes. Results are discussed with reference to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology2. The most prevalent barriers to e-health engagement were a lack of self-efficacy, knowledge, support, functionality, and information provision about the benefits of e-health for older adults. Key facilitators were active engagement of the target end users in the design and delivery of e-health programs, support for overcoming concerns privacy and enhancing self-efficacy in the use of technology, and integration of e-health programs across health services to accommodate the multi-morbidity with which older adults typically present. Conclusion: E-health offers a potential solution to overcome the barriers faced by older adults to access timely, effective, and acceptable health care for physical and mental health. However, unless the barriers and facilitators identified in this review are addressed, this potential will not be realised.

Emerging discussions about research-practice collaboration in social work have sought to explore why collaboration and engagement are important. However, knowledge about how these collaborations unfold remains limited. The present study explored 17 collaborative research and development projects involving social work researchers and practitioners in the German speaking area (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). It aimed to capture the complexity of these collaborative projects by examining and describing the various forms that linkages between research and practice can take in social work. Data collection comprised document analysis and semi-structured interviews with researchers and practitioners involved in the projects considered. Data were analysed using open coding technique and the constant comparative method to identify emerging concepts and broader categories. This analysis enabled identification of five types of collaborative projects: Collaboration for i) scientific knowledge production; ii) the development of new procedures; iii) development of service organisations, professional practice and practitioners; iv) implementation of a specific practice; and v) support of political decision-making. Findings suggest that collaboration is influenced by the specific social welfare regime, cultural issues, as well as the configuration of, and dynamics between them in the projects.

The Creating Meaningful Connections project is a longitudinal study that resulted from a partnership between social work academics at the University of Newcastle and educators at a regional secondary school in NSW, Australia. It seeks to better understand the relationship between school connectedness and youth mental health. In stage 1, focus groups were conducted with 99 students 9¿months after their transition to secondary school. The shift to secondary school created a range of social and academic challenges for young people. It often resulted in limited¿or no¿contact with friends from primary school, requiring the negotiation of new friendships. While this process was relatively trouble-free for many students, others described it as risky and challenging. Positive peer relationships appeared to increase happiness, feelings of safety, offer support during difficult periods and facilitate secondary school adjustment. This paper offers a unique perspective by capturing student voice and commentary about the nature and importance of peer relationships during transition. It also highlights the potential for social work and education to work collaboratively to enhance peer relationships, mental health and school connectedness during transition.

FGID is one of the most common pain conditions in children and adversely affects their functioning and quality of life. Recent approaches to the management of paediatric FGID recognise the importance of an integrated biopsychosocial approach. Unfortunately, research findings show that psychosocial factors are often not adequately addressed in the management of FGID in children. We recently conducted a survey of 327 paediatric doctors in Australia to investigate their approaches to managing two of the most common childhood FGID¿functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Findings provide important insights into paediatricians' perceptions of the role of psychosocial issues and interventions in these conditions. Implications for social work are discussed.

In contemporary societies, the value and importance of knowledge is increasingly tied to its potential to generate profit. This raises questions about whether and how knowledge can, at the same time, be harnessed and valued for its capacity to advance social justice. In this paper, we consider these questions in relation to social work knowledge and academic research utilisation, setting our analysis in the context of broader debates on these themes. As well as highlighting the risks that the 'knowledge economy' poses to certain currents of knowledge (currents within social work and analogous currents in other fields), we ask what might be done to protect and realise the value of these currents. We suggest that the example of social work usefully illuminates both the potential and challenges of knowledge utilisation for social justice more broadly.

In contemporary knowledge societies, scientific research has been emphasised as a key component of effective and accountable service provision. This paper examines commonalities and distinctions between two discourses of research utilisation: 'evidence-based practice' (EBP) and 'knowledge production/utilisation' (KPU) - the former more prominent in informing the social work canon, the latter with some potential to do so. Specifically, it considers how and where these discourses are now coming together, through a focus on 'knowledge mobilisation', 'implementation' and 'innovation', and a shared emphasis on the role of organisations in bridging the gap between research and action. It hopes to contribute to the movement towards greater research use in social work and enhance understanding of the mechanisms by which research is connected to action.