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Job seekers take heart in health research
A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher is attempting to determine how much the health of mature-aged unemployed people affects their prospects of finding work.
PhD student Jodi Almond, 36, is seeking men and women aged 45-64 who have been unemployed for up to three years for research into the effects of a health intervention on their re-employment and cardiovascular health.
“The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of the program on job search behaviours, psychological health factors, cardiovascular disease risk factors and physiological measures of fitness,” she said.
“We are offering a 12-week multi-disciplinary health program consisting of exercise sessions and health information sessions covering psychological, nutritional and exercise topics.”
Jodi said she required 80 volunteers for the study, half of whom are unemployed and the other half who are currently not seeking employment.
“We would like to recruit some participants who are either retired or employed but who are still within the 45-64 year old age group,” she said.
The health program will involve participants attending the University for a total of three hours a week to receive health education and take part in an exercise program in USC’s new gym.
Jodi said the project would expand on a pilot program run by USC in 2006 that investigated the same effects in men only.
The research is being supervised by a multidisciplinary team of USC academics exercise physiologist Chris Askew, sport dietitian Fiona Pelly and sport psychologist Lisa Fraser. The project also is receiving support from local Job Network providers.
To participate in the study, contact Jodi Almond at <jba003@student.usc.edu.au> or on 0417 543 382.
— Terry Walsh