DR WESTERMAN’S PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
This page is NOT always up to date with the latest publications. Please email the IPS office if you are seeking information on any of the work undertaken by Dr Westerman. We are always adding to this list of publications.
DR WESTERMAN’S PHD RESEARCH
The Phd of Dr Tracy Westerman which involved numerous Australian firsts including the development of the FIRST clinically and culturally validated screening tool for Aboriginal youth at risk; a unique set of practitioner guidelines to address practitioner bias in the culturally valid assessment of Aboriginal people. It also established a unique aetiology for Aboriginal suicide for the first time. Additionally, it empirically validated an engagement model for suicidal Aboriginal people, the initial development of the Acculturation and Acculturative Stress Scales. The initial development of the Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competency Profile, and finally, the validation of Culture Bound Syndromes in Aboriginal Australian populations. Dr Westerman was the FIRST Aboriginal person to complete a PhD in Health Sciences and Psychology in Australia. Her PhD received an average of an “A” grade across three examiners. It was previously under embargo and is now available here. Many of the below publications originated from Dr Westerman’s PhD.
Westerman, T.G (2021). Culture-bound syndromes in Aboriginal Australian populations, Clinical Psychologist, 25(2): 1-17
This paper is the FIRST data driven, empirical study which validated culture-bound syndromes in Aboriginal Australian populations for this first time. Considered to be such an important paper by the Editors of Clinical Psychologist that FREE access was provided until August, 2021. You can download it here.
Westerman, T.G & Sheridan., L (2020). Whole of Aboriginal Community Suicide Prevention Forums, Australian Psychologist, 55, pp. 363-374
This paper is the FIRST published paper in Australian demonstrating whole of community suicide risk reduction, improvements in knowledge base and intentions to help etc., It uniquely takes a ‘whole community’ approach. It is based upon Westerman (2003) Phd which determined a unique aetiology to Indigenous suicide. The program was developed based on these differences, making them the only EVIDENCE based programs developed specifically for Aboriginal people. These programs have been replicated across multiple states, language groups despite having ZERO funding for their development and delivery.
This paper describes the empirical validation of an engagement model for at risk Aboriginal youth as part of the PhD research of Adjunct Professor Tracy Westerman. This involved undertaking suicide risk assessment of 103 Aboriginal youth (13 – 17 years) determined ‘at risk’ via screening with the WASC-Y and validating a engagement process for clinicians working with at risk Aboriginal youth.
SOME OF OUR ARTICLES IN PREPARATION
Westerman, T.G (in preparation). Determining the nature and extent of risk for depression, suicidal behaviours, impulse control, anxiety, and cultural resilience in an Australian Aboriginal youth (aged 13 – 17 years) sample using the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist – Youth
Westerman, T.G (in preparation). Validation of the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist – Youth-Revised. A unique psychometric test for Aboriginal youth with a national data set.
Westerman, T.G (in preparation). Validation of the Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competency Profile. A culturally determined psychometric test to determine the predictors of mental health cultural competence
Westerman, T.G (in preparation). Validation of the Cultural Competency Profile – Child Protection. A unique psychometric test to determine the predictors of child protection cultural competency
Westerman, T.G (in preparation). Validation of the General Cultural Competency Profile. A unique psychometric test to determine the predictors of cultural competency
SELF HELP & PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES
Westerman, T.G. Grieving Aboriginal Way.
A resource for Aboriginal families experiencing sudden loss.
EXTERNAL VALIDATION OF DR WESTERMAN’S PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
Bright, C., (2012). Initial Validation of the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist – Adults (WASC-A)
Validation of the WASC-A scale: a screening tool for Aboriginal Adults (aged 18 and above) at risk of depression, suicidal behaviours, alcohol and drug use, impulsivity and anxiety. The scale also determines levels of cultural resilience as a moderator for risk. The WASC-A is based on the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist – Youth (WASC-A)
Stathis, Stephen L., Doolan, Ivan, Letters, Paul, Arnett, Amanda, Cory, Storm, and Quinlan, Laura (2012). Use of the Westerman Aboriginal Symptoms Checklist – Youth (WASC-Y) to screen for mental health problems in Indigenous youth in custody. Advances in Mental Health 10 (3) 235–239. https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.2012.10.3.235
Validation studies are currently being undertaken for the General Cultural Competency Profile, The Aboriginal Mental Health Cultural Competency Profile and the Cultural Competency Profile – Child Protection (CCP-CP). Please contact IPS for further information.
ACADEMIC OPINION PIECES
A response to the validation of the aPHQ-9 for use with Indigenous Australians
Westerman, T.G & Johnston, G (2000). The adapted Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (aPHQ-9) is a translated version of the PHQ-9 for use as a depression screening tool in Indigenous men from central Australia (Brown et al., 2013).
PUBLIC OPINION PIECES
Dr Westerman has written significant national Opinion Pieces on Indigenous suicide prevention, Raise the Age and so forth and has a strong media and radio presence. Most of these pieces can be found on her Media and Opinion Piece pages.
EXPERT WITNESS REPORTS