From The Laboratory To The Classroom: Validation Of An Innovative Laboratory Model Of Adolescent Impulsivity And Alcohol Use Using A School-based Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,267.00
Summary
I am a psychologist focused on understanding how different psychosocial approaches to reducing adolescent alcohol use actually work. I will achieve this using a new laboratory model I have developed to determine the “active ingredients” of different interventions. Using a randomised controlled trial, I will then test whether combining these ingredients produces better outcomes in the prevention of teenage drinking.
Early Childhood Mental Health: Pathways, Treatment, Access, And Community Literacy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,540.00
Summary
Many causes, warning signs, and opportunities for intervention for mental health problems are evident in early childhood. This project will conduct research and innovative practice that will transform our understanding of mental health problems in early childhood, including improved understanding of the environmental/biological mechanisms, methods to best target and disseminate effective early intervention, and improve community literacy and reduce stigma for these children and their parents.
A Randomised Control Trial Of Non-specific Clinical Management Versus CBT In Chronic Anorexia Nervosa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,843.00
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness that usually starts in adolescence and often runs a chronic course. With an estimated prevalence rate between 0.5% and 3.7% of women, and up to 50% remaining chronically ill, the illness poses a disproportionate burden on health and social services. AN has inpatient costs alone that exceed that for schizophrenia. Chronic AN has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Chronic AN patients are known for their ambivalence about engaging in ....Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness that usually starts in adolescence and often runs a chronic course. With an estimated prevalence rate between 0.5% and 3.7% of women, and up to 50% remaining chronically ill, the illness poses a disproportionate burden on health and social services. AN has inpatient costs alone that exceed that for schizophrenia. Chronic AN has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Chronic AN patients are known for their ambivalence about engaging in treatment and poor motivation to change their eating disorder behaviours. They often fail to respond to traditional treatments and develop a history of negative treatment experiences and repeated treatment failures. A new approach is needed to reduce both the personal suffering and the burden of the illness on social and medical services. To date, there has been little scientific investigation into the development of specific treatment for those patients with chronic AN. This study will trial a recently manualised therapy - non-specific supportive clinical management - which initial evidence suggests may hold promise for chronic AN because it offers a more indirect, motivationally-matched approach. This treatment will be compared to the establishment therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Patients will be randomly allocated to one of the two treatment conditions and will receive 40 sessions over 12 months. They will be thoroughly assessed prior to during and after they have completed treatment and followed up for 6 months. This is the worlds first trial of a psychological treatment for chronic AN; it is hoped the study will establish an effective treatment for this debilitating and expensive illness. Further, as the project aims to explore the core, but often over-looked, feature of AN - poor motivation for recovery - it will also be in a position to shed light on the deep psychological processes that maintain this illness.Read moreRead less
Influence Of A Brief Early Parent Intervention On Internalising Outcomes In Middle Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,955.00
Summary
Anxiety and depression are common problems that begin early and cause major life interference. There are currently few programs to prevent the development of these problems. We developed an early education program for parents of shy and withdrawn preschool children that showed promising effects when the children reached middle childhood. We are now seeking funds to follow these children into middle adolescence to see whether the program continues to benefit them during this vulnerable period.
Early Intervention For Treatment-resistant Conduct Disorder In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,280.00
Summary
Conduct problems (CP) in childhood are the most reliable precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. Conclusive evidence now exists to show that a subgroup within CP children, those with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits are etiologically distinct and are relatively unresponsive to existing evidence-based treatments.The aim of the current programme is to test a new treatment for these children.
Self-compassion: Promoting Resilience And Wellbeing In Adolescent Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,946.00
Summary
The importance of targeting early symptoms of poor mental health in adolescence cannot be underestimated. Self-compassion is linked with psychological wellbeing and may serve as a protective mechanism against psychopathological trajectories. I will investigate self-compassion in adolescence, and develop two early-intervention programs; for a high-school and a chronic illness population. To investigate this, my PhD will involve 2 empirical studies, meta-analysis, and 2 intervention studies.
The Identification Prediction And Management Of Depression In People With Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,852.00
Summary
Depression affects many people with epilepsy but often goes undetected and untreated. This study aims to develop ways of identifying depression in those with epilepsy, as well as examining why some people with epilepsy get depression and others do not. It will also involve trialling a state of the art psychological intervention aimed at enhancing quality of life and improving mood in people with epilepsy.
Innovative Models Of Early Intervention For Conduct Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,854.00
Summary
Most mental health problems begin in childhood, and Oppositional-defiant and conduct problems are the most reliable precursor of adult mental health problems. The lifetime costs on public services for these children are large. Australia has no strategy for managing this problem, and urgently needs to develop evidence-based approaches. This program of research will develop improved methods for identifying, assessing and treating child conduct disorders as part of our national strategy for early i ....Most mental health problems begin in childhood, and Oppositional-defiant and conduct problems are the most reliable precursor of adult mental health problems. The lifetime costs on public services for these children are large. Australia has no strategy for managing this problem, and urgently needs to develop evidence-based approaches. This program of research will develop improved methods for identifying, assessing and treating child conduct disorders as part of our national strategy for early intervention for mental health.Read moreRead less
Improving Outcomes For Children With Chronic Illness Through Evidence-based Intervention, Improved Implementation And Enhanced Health Psychology Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
I lead Australasia's largest research group improving physical/mental health in families of children with cancer. With this CDF, I will broaden my work across child illnesses and internationally. I will introduce novel programs into the clinic/community, ensure technologies are delivered safely and improve health psychology research. I will increase collaboration across diseases and support emerging researchers. Evidence from this CDF will directly inform future child health services and policy.