Papers by Eleanor Wertheim
International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2000
This study examined the relationship between childhood temperament and the later development of e... more This study examined the relationship between childhood temperament and the later development of eating and body concerns in early adolescent children. The Australian Temperament Project has followed a cohort of children from birth, assessing temperament factors such as Negative Emotionality, Persistence, Approach/Withdrawal, and Activity. Using a longitudinal design, the study reports on the relationship between temperament measured from infancy onward and eating and body concerns at 12-13 years of age. Participants (597 girls, 631 boys) completed the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales Drive For Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Bulimia, and an estimate of their current size. Parents described their child's temperament and body size. High Negative Emotionality and low Persistence were the factors most associated with risk status over time, particularly in girls. While it is unlikely that temperamental characteristics per se lead to disordered eating, it is argued that in combination with other risk factors, certain temperamental characteristics may increase vulnerability.
Australian and New …, 2008
Results: Seventy-three per cent of women had used at least one kind of complementary therapy in t... more Results: Seventy-three per cent of women had used at least one kind of complementary therapy in the prior eight weeks of pregnancy. Over one-third of the women had visited at least one alternative medicine practitioner during pregnancy. Approximately one-third of the women reported ...
Global Change, Peace & Security
Margot made an enormous range of contributions to psychology and the community. She was the first... more Margot made an enormous range of contributions to psychology and the community. She was the first Australian female Professor of Clinical Psychology, breaking ground for women in academia and leading the postgraduate programme at La Trobe University. While Director of Psychology at the Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne she founded the Learning Difficulties Centre at the Royal Children's Hospital. She was also a founder of the Australian Temperament Project, one of Australia's longest-running longitudinal studies. Her contributions resulted in numerous forms of recognition, such as being made Officer of the Order of Australia (2004), and receiving Victorian Senior Australian of the Year (2006), Fellowship of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, Fellowship of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the APS President's Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology in Australia (2005) and an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Melbourne (2016). Her contributions in the field of autism spectrum disorders were recognised through naming the Victorian Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre, the Margot Prior Autism Intervention Centre, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Autism Research in 2018. But here we want to focus on her work for peace, where she made many contributions. She was a long-time member of Psychologists for Peace, an interest group of the Australian Psychological Society, since the 1980s, being one of the foundation members of that APS group, which was then called Psychologists for the Prevention of War (PPOW). Because of her esteemed reputation, she was asked to be one of the first speakers of the newly formed interest group. In the early years of PPOW a major focus (which continues today) was to disseminate information about the threat of nuclear war and to motivate the community to take action to reduce that threat. As part of this process, Margot advocated for disarmament through media interviews, conference presentations and publications. At a political level, she supported the then Nuclear Disarmament Party. A committed advocate for young people, Margot led a team surveying secondary students to find out their views on nuclear war and helped to disseminate their ideas. She made presentations on the effects of media violence, and the negative effects of children
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
This study examined longitudinal predictors of future eating problems in 435 female adolescents i... more This study examined longitudinal predictors of future eating problems in 435 female adolescents in Grades 7, 8, and 10, who were tested at two time points 8 months apart. Restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies were found to be relatively stable from Time 1 to Time 2, particularly in older grade levels. Partial correlations predicting Time 2 restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies indicated a role of body dissatisfaction, depression, and weight-related teasing, with findings being most clear in Grade 7. Path analyses indicated that the relationships among predictors were more complex and that some of the relationships were mediated by other variables.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
This study examined the relationship between mothers' eating attitudes and weigh... more This study examined the relationship between mothers' eating attitudes and weight-loss attempts and their adolescent daughters' body dissatisfaction and weight-loss attempts. Two modes of transmission of mother's values to the ...
Journal of clinical psychology, 2018
We evaluated outcomes of an online, self-directed REACH forgiveness intervention for community-ba... more We evaluated outcomes of an online, self-directed REACH forgiveness intervention for community-based adults. Because many participants dropped out before program completion, predictors of program persistence were also examined. Participants (N = 130 adults, 122 female; mean age 48) completed pretreatment assessment and were randomized to immediate treatment (IT) or delayed treatment (DT). Twenty-three IT and 13 DT participants completed the 7-hour REACH forgiveness modules and postintervention assessment; 32 participants completed 3-month follow-up. The IT group reported greater postintervention improvements in overall forgiveness and emotional forgiveness, as well as reductions in avoidance motivations with large effect sizes and, marginally, state empathy; but revenge motivations, decisional forgiveness, and well-being indicators did not change. Most postintervention improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. In this online intervention, persistence was predicted by perspe...
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 2017
Work stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 50%, with increasing research focu... more Work stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 50%, with increasing research focusing on the underlying mechanisms responsible for these associations. Our meta-analysis assessed the associations of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) workplace stress model with indices of cardiovascular disease. The search term 'effort*reward*imbalance' produced 22 papers (129 associations, N=93,817) meeting inclusion criteria. Greater ERI was most associated with increased hypertension (r=0.26, p<0.001, N=1180), intima media thickness (r=0.23, p<.001, N=828) and fibrinogen (r=0.13, p=0.03, N=4315). Trait over-commitment was most associated with increased hypertension (r=0.24, p=0.02, N=899) and intima media thickness (r=0.19, p=0.02, N=828). Interventions aimed at reducing the impact of ERI and over-commitment on cardiovascular disease should consider concurrently assessing changes in physiological markers of cardiovascular disease.
Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands), May 25, 2018
We assessed the relationship between physiological and psychological measures of workplace stress... more We assessed the relationship between physiological and psychological measures of workplace stress as measured by the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, with a seldom studied sample of owner-operator dairy farmers. Dairy farmers (N = 74) self-reported ERI, over-commitment (OC), dedication, and health then provided awakening saliva samples that were used to calculate the salivary alpha amylase awakening response (sAA-AR), cortisol awakening response (CAR), and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) level. ERI, OC, and dedication levels were not related with sIgA or the CAR, but more over-committed farmers had a less pronounced sAA-AR. OC was more associated than ERI with the physiological indicators of stress, potentially due to the owner-operator sample used in this investigation. The suitability of sAA as a viable physiological measure of autonomic nervous system activity has been debated, but our findings promote its inclusion in future occupational stress research.
Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Upon becoming members at a community gymnasium, 55 women were randomly assigned to one of three g... more Upon becoming members at a community gymnasium, 55 women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, self-monitoring of gym attendance, or self-monitoring of attendance plus extra staff attention. The effect of these interventions on gym attendance over 3 months was examined. A 3 X 4 (Group X Time Phase, first 3 weeks to last 3 weeks) ANOVA indicated that the main effects for group and time predicted attendance at the gym. Attendance during the first 3 weeks was significantly greater than attendance thereafter. The control subjects attended significantly less than the self-monitoring subjects at all phases. Further research is suggested toward using self-monitoring, staff support, and periodic progress feedback for increasing program adherence. In addition, self-motivation and body fat percent were assessed initially. Correlations between these two variables and attendance failed to support their usefulness as predictors at any time phase.
Frontiers in Psychology
Objectives: To examine the relationship between psychological and social factors (depression, emo... more Objectives: To examine the relationship between psychological and social factors (depression, emotional control, sexual abuse, and parental physical punishment) and adolescent drive for Thinness and Bulimic behaviors in a large community sample, and to investigate possible genetic moderation. Method: Data were drawn from the Australian Temperament Project (ATP), a population-based cohort study that has followed a representative sample of 2443 participants from infancy to adulthood across 16 waves since 1983. A subsample of 650 participants (50.2% female) of Caucasian descent who provided DNA were genotyped for a serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). Adolescent disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were assessed using the Bulimia and Drive for Thinness scales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (15-16 years). Depression and emotional control were examined at the same age using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, and an ATP-devised measure of emotional control. History of sexual abuse and physical punishment were assessed retrospectively (23-24 years) in a subsample of 467 of those providing DNA. Results: EDI-2 scores were associated with depression, emotional control, and retrospectively reported parental physical punishment. Although there was statistically significant moderation of the relationship between parental physical punishment and bulimic behaviors by 5-HTTLPR (p = 0.0048), genotypes in this subsample were not in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. No other G×E interactions were significant.
European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, Sep 10, 2017
This study examined whether self-reported and observationally measured parental behaviours were a... more This study examined whether self-reported and observationally measured parental behaviours were associated with disordered eating, and investigated possible moderation by a serotonin-transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). Study 1 included 650 adolescents from the Australian Temperament Project who completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 Drive for Thinness and Bulimia scales at 15/16 years and were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR. Parents completed an Australian Temperament Project-devised measure of parental warmth and harsh punishment. Study 2 included a subgroup of 304 participants who also engaged in a video-recorded family interaction, with observed parental warmth and hostility coded by the Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scale. Greater self-reported parental warmth was associated with lower bulimia scores. Conversely, observationally measured parental warmth was associated with lower drive for thinness, but not bulimia. Self-reported parental harsh punishment was associated with bulimia...
Journal of psychosomatic research, Dec 1, 2016
Despite considerable research into associations between the effort reward imbalance (ERI) model a... more Despite considerable research into associations between the effort reward imbalance (ERI) model and various health outcomes over the past 20years, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the association remain unclear. Recently, ERI investigations have examined associations with immune sub-systems (e.g., leukocytes, cytokines and immunoglobulins). Synthesis of the amalgamated research evidence will aid clarity to this field of enquiry. We conducted a meta-analysis and reviewed the associations of ERI and over-commitment (OC) in the workplace with immunity. Electronic databases were searched with the phrase 'effort reward imbalance' which initially yielded 319 studies leading to 57 full text studies being screened. Seven studies that met inclusion criteria were combined using mixed and random effects models. Greater ERI was associated with lower immunity (r=-0.09, CI -0.14, -0.05, p<0.001). Sub-group analyses revealed the effect with mucosal immunity was stronger (r=-0.3...
Journal of health psychology, Jan 21, 2016
A dismantling study of body dissatisfaction prevention was conducted. Adolescent girls (N = 260) ... more A dismantling study of body dissatisfaction prevention was conducted. Adolescent girls (N = 260) were randomly allocated to a media literacy (Happy Being Me - Media Literacy) or appearance comparison (Happy Being Me - Appearance Comparison) intervention or healthy eating behaviour control (Happy Being Me - Healthy Eating Behaviour) condition. In the Happy Being Me - Appearance Comparison condition, improvements from baseline to post-programme and follow-up for upward appearance comparison and fear of negative appearance evaluation were observed. In the Happy Being Me - Media Literacy condition, improvements were observed from baseline to post-programme for upward appearance comparison and realism scepticism. Findings were similar in a high-risk subsample and overall are moderately supportive of appearance comparison-based interventions, but less supportive of a stand-alone media literacy intervention.
Journal of eating disorders, 2016
Evaluation of media literacy-based interventions for the prevention of eating disorder risk is li... more Evaluation of media literacy-based interventions for the prevention of eating disorder risk is limited by the lack of appropriate measures with established psychometric properties with which to assess change in media literacy. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the psychometric properties and use in eating disorders risk factor research of six measures of media literacy that assess media processing and critical thinking about general media and critical thinking about appearance-focused media. The factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity, including convergent and discriminant validity, were examined in six measures in two samples of early adolescent females. The measures were the Realism Scepticism, Similarity Scepticism, and Desirability Scepticism subscales of the Media Attitudes Questionnaire, the Fake subscale of the Critical Processing of Beauty Images Scale, the Critical Thinking about Media Messages scale, and Critical ...
The International journal of eating disorders, Jan 28, 2017
This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a social media literacy intervention for adole... more This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a social media literacy intervention for adolescent girls on risk factors for eating disorders. A quasi-experimental pre- to post-test design comparing intervention and control conditions was used. Participants were 101 adolescent girls (Mage = 13.13, SD = 0.33) who were allocated to receive three social media literacy intervention lessons (n = 64) or to receive classes as usual (n = 37). Self-report assessments of eating disorder risk factors were completed one week prior to, and one week following the intervention. Significant group by time interaction effects revealed improvements in the intervention condition relative to the control condition for body image (body esteem-weight; d = .19), disordered eating (dietary restraint; d = .26) and media literacy (realism scepticism; d = .32). The outcomes of this pilot study suggest that social media literacy is a potentially useful approach for prevention of risk for eating disorders in...
Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1999
Hele n Lin d ner, 1,3,4 R obe rt K irkb y, 2 E le an or We rthe im , 1 an d Pe ne lo pe B irch 1 ... more Hele n Lin d ner, 1,3,4 R obe rt K irkb y, 2 E le an or We rthe im , 1 an d Pe ne lo pe B irch 1 Three studies w ere undertaken to develop an d valid ate a shortened m easu re of irrational thin kin g based on B ernard ' s version of the G eneral A ttitu de an d B elief Scale (G A B S). In experim ent 1 the responses of 356 particip an ts were an alyz ed to derive 26 item s from the 55 item s of the G A B S to form the shortened G eneral A ttitu de an d B elief Scale (SG A B S). E xp erim ent 2 estab lish ed that correlatio ns betw een the subscales of the G A B S an d the SG A B S (com pleted 3 days ap art by 90 particip an ts) ran ged from .60 to .77. In experim ent 3, m oderately sign i® can t test-retest correlatio ns (.65 to .87) w ere found betw een subscale scores obtain ed from the SG A B S, ad m in istered 3 days ap art to 36 particip an ts. A lth ough a m oderate but sign i® can t correlatio n (r 5 .41) w as found betw een the SG A B S an d the B eck D epressio n Inventory, a sign i® can tly high er correlatio n (r 5 .77) w as found betw een the SG A BS an d the Irratio nal B elief Scale. It w as concluded that the SG A B S provid ed a brief m ethod of assessin g m ultid im en sio nal asp ects of irratio n al thin kin g w ith substan tial test-retest reliab ility an d construct valid ity.
Journal of Midwifery Women S Health, Dec 23, 2010
This study aimed to: 1) describe the number, frequency, severity of discomfort and effect of symp... more This study aimed to: 1) describe the number, frequency, severity of discomfort and effect of symptoms on life of 29 physical symptoms women experienced at 15 to 25 weeks of gestation; 2) explore whether experiencing this group of physical symptoms more frequently and intensely was associated with a higher score of depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem; (3) examine whether discomfort and effect ratings aided prediction of well being over and above symptom frequency; and (4) investigate which individual physical symptoms contributed most to predicting depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Pregnant women (n = 215) completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a physical symptoms questionnaire. Frequency, discomfort, and the effect of physical symptoms all consistently correlated with higher scores for depressive symptoms, but less consistently with lower self-esteem. Discomfort and the effect of symptoms predicted variance in depressive symptoms after accounting for symptom frequency. Higher frequency, more discomfort, and the effect of fatigue and effect of flatulence were related to depressive symptoms. Relationships between pregnancy-related physical symptoms, depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem suggest that when women report any of these constellation of factors, further screening is indicated. A comprehensive assessment of physical symptoms includes frequency, discomfort, and effect on life.
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Papers by Eleanor Wertheim