Dr Malcolm I Anderson

Malcolm Anderson’s research interests are on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its effect on families.

He is currently chief investigator for two research projects: “The effects of neurobehavioural impairments in adult children with severe traumatic brain injury on family functioning and psychological wellbeing of the parents” (in collaboration with the Liverpool Health Service); and “Predictors of nursing students’ intentions to practice and promote sun safe exposure behaviours” (in collaboration with the School of Nursing at Australian Catholic University).

Malcolm has presented papers in Australia and overseas, and most recently at the World Congress on Brain Injury in Melbourne in 2005. He has clinical experience in neurosurgical and orthopaedic nursing. His education experience has covered the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students in nursing and research.

Malcolm has written two textbooks on medical surgical nursing and a chapter for a book about the psychology of stress. He is also a reviewer for the journal, Medical Science Monitor, and a senior lecturer in nursing at Avondale.

Questions

You describe relatives of those suffering TBI as “casualities.” Why?
The significant personality change of those suffering TBI places further stress on their relationships and leads to symptoms of distress. Relatives of those suffering TBI have difficulty coming to terms with changes in role functioning and subsequently experience high levels of burden.

Is the outcome for families always negative?
No. The families that cope well under these circumstances support one another, openly discuss the problems of TBI, tend not to view disability as threatening, and believe in God.

What does these outcomes suggest?
Combining individual coping theory, which has been the subject of a lot of study, with a broader study of family stress theory may strengthen research into how families adapt to brain injury.

Qualification

BAppSc (Canberra CAE), MA (Macquarie), PhD (Macquarie), RN, ONC, FRCNA

Contact

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College
Phone: (02) 4980 2251 or 0404 032 746