ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0509-104X
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 25-05-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.ADOLESCENCE.2021.08.002
Abstract: COVID‐19 has resulted in major life changes to the majority of the world population, particularly adolescents, with social‐distancing measures such as home‐based schooling likely to impact sleep quality. Increased worry is also likely considering the substantial financial, educational and health concerns accompanying COVID‐19. White matter (WM) integrity has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression symptoms, including worry, as well being closely associated with sleep quality. This study aimed to investigate the associations between pre‐COVID sleep quality, WM structural integrity and levels of worry and rumination about COVID. N = 30 adolescent participants from Queensland, Australia, completed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning pre‐COVID, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) pre and during COVID, and 9 items designed to measure 3 constructs, perceived impact of COVID, general worry, and COVID‐specific worry and rumination. Sleep quality (PSQI total) was significantly poorer during COVID compared with pre‐COVID. Sleep onset latency measured pre‐COVID was significantly associated with COVID‐specific worry and rumination. While the structural integrity of a number of WM tracts (measured pre‐COVID) were found to be significantly associated with COVID‐specific worry and rumination. Follow‐up regression analysis using a model including pre‐COVID sleep onset latency, structural integrity of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), gender and change in PSQI explained a significant 47% of the variance in COVID‐specific worry and rumination. These findings suggest that adolescents with poor sleep quality and perturbed WM integrity may be at risk of heightened reactivity to future stressful events and interventions should focus on improving sleep onset latency.
Publisher: No publisher found
Date: 2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1140/EPJC/S10052-022-10217-Z
Abstract: This paper presents an analysis at next-to-next-to-leading order in the theory of quantum chromodynamics for the determination of a new set of proton parton distribution functions using erse measurements in pp collisions at $$\\sqrt{s} = 7$$ s = 7 , 8 and 13 TeV, performed by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, together with deep inelastic scattering data from ep collisions at the HERA collider. The ATLAS data sets considered are differential cross-section measurements of inclusive $$W^{\\pm }$$ W ± and $$Z/\\gamma ^*$$ Z / γ ∗ boson production, $$W^{\\pm }$$ W ± and Z boson production in association with jets, $$t\\bar{t}$$ t t ¯ production, inclusive jet production and direct photon production. In the analysis, particular attention is paid to the correlation of systematic uncertainties within and between the various ATLAS data sets and to the impact of model, theoretical and parameterisation uncertainties. The resulting set of parton distribution functions is called ATLASpdf21.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPSYCHIRES.2022.10.058
Abstract: Although the primary aetiology of Eating Disorders (ED) remains unknown, research suggests a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and cultural/environmental factors. This paper aims to systematically review the literature on neuroimaging studies that measure socio-cognitive factors, in the context of body dissatisfaction and EDs in young people. Specifically, our aim was to identify patterns in the findings linked to social media-type behaviours. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. 799 papers were identified in the database search and 38 studies were selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria. Selected studies were assessed using the National Institute of Health study quality assessment tool. Findings point to state-related impairments in inhibitory control and salient emotional processing. Anorexia Nervosa(AN) showed impaired set-shifting abilities, working memory and decision making, while altered activation in attention networks and associated difficulties with conflict resolution were seen for Bulimia Nervosa(BN) and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders(OSFED). AN and BN also demonstrated altered sensitivity to food-related stimuli in striatal regions, suggesting aberrant top-down emotional-cognitive control. ED participants also show deficits in body representation, impaired control over social behaviours and altered integration of visual and body perception. These findings support the notion that socio-cognitive dysfunctions in ED are underpinned by a distributed network of structural and functional brain changes which influence the way young people with ED interact with and respond to social media, and ultimately places at them at increased risk for body image disturbances. This Review was registered with the PROSPERO International Register of Systematic Reviews, Registration number CRD42021270696.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-01-2015
DOI: 10.1007/S00038-014-0642-Y
Abstract: To examine the relationship between young Australians' cyberbullying experiences, their help-seeking practices and associated mental well-being and social connectedness, with a view to informing national health and well-being agendas. An online survey was administered to young people aged 12-18 years (n = 2,338), recruited across Australia in year 2 of a larger 4-year study. Youth with no experience of cyberbullying had better well-being profiles and mental health overall. Conversely, cyberbully victims, had poorer well-being and mental health and tended not to engage with online support services, in spite of being more likely to be online after 11 pm. Parents and peers were identified as key sources of help for most young people when dealing with problems. Cyberbullying is a public health issue particularly for vulnerable youth whose mental health and well-being is impacted more than those not involved. As youth are spending increasing time in the 24/7 online environment, there is a need to develop initiatives that engage young people and encourage help-seeking online, whilst concomitantly building capacity of parents and peers to support their well-being.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-01-2020
Abstract: Research shows that adolescents with mental illnesses have a bias for processing negative facial emotions, and this may play a role in impaired social functioning that often co-exists with a mental health diagnosis. This study examined associations between psychological and somatic problems and facial emotion recognition in early adolescence as any processing biases in this age-group may be an early indicator of later mental illnesses. A community s le of 40 12-year-olds self-rated their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization via two mental health screeners. They also completed a computerized emotion recognition task in which they identified photographs of 40 faces showing expressions of anger, fear, sadness, happiness, or neutral expression. Results showed that increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization were significantly associated with fewer correct responses to angry expressions. These symptoms were also associated with faster and more accurate recognition of fearful expressions. However, there was no association between mental health and recognition of sad affect. Finally, increased psychological and/or somatic symptomology was also associated with better identification of neutral expressions. In conclusion, youth with increased psychological and/or somatic problems exhibited a processing bias for negative anger and fear expressions, but not sadness. They showed better processing of neutral faces than youth with fewer psychological and/or somatic problems. Findings are discussed in relation to indicators of mental illnesses in early adolescence and the potential underpinning neural mechanisms associated with mental health and emotional facial recognition.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJPSYCHO.2022.11.012
Abstract: Delineating neurobiological markers of youth mental health is crucial for early identification and treatment. One promising marker is phase- litude coupling (PAC), cross-frequency coupling between the phase of slower oscillatory activity and the litude of faster oscillatory activity in the brain. Prior research has demonstrated that PAC is associated with both cognition and mental health and can be modulated using neurostimulation. However, to date research investigating PAC has focused primarily on adults, and only within-region theta-gamma coupling in the context of mental health. We investigated associations between interregional resting-state PAC (posterior-anterior cortex), and cognition and psychological distress in N = 77 (M
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50349
Abstract: Project Synergy aims to test the potential of new and emerging technologies to enhance the quality of mental health care provided by traditional face-to-face services. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that consumers get the right care, first time (delivery of effective mental health care early in the course of illness). Using co-design with affected in iduals, Project Synergy has built, implemented and evaluated an online platform to assist the assessment, feedback, management and monitoring of people with mental disorders. It also promotes the maintenance of wellbeing by collating health and social information from consumers, their supportive others and health professionals. This information is reported back openly to consumers and their service providers to promote genuine collaborative care. The online platform does not provide stand-alone medical or health advice, risk assessment, clinical diagnosis or treatment instead, it supports users to decide what may be suitable care options. Using an iterative cycle of research and development, the first four studies of Project Synergy (2014-2016) involved the development of different types of online prototypes for young people (i) attending university (ii) in three disadvantaged communities in New South Wales (iii) at risk of suicide and (iv) attending five headspace centres. These contributed valuable information concerning the co-design, build, user testing and evaluation of prototypes, as well as staff experiences during development and service quality improvements following implementation. Through ongoing research and development (2017-2020), these prototypes underpin one online platform that aims to support better multidimensional mental health outcomes for consumers more efficient, effective and appropriate use of health professional knowledge and clinical skills and quality improvements in mental health service delivery.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.BRAINRES.2021.147710
Abstract: It has been suggested that biological markers that define mental health are different to those that define mental illness. The basal ganglia changes dramatically over adolescence and has been linked to wellbeing and mental health disorders in young people. However, there remains a paucity of research on wellbeing and brain structure in early adolescence. This cross-sectional study examined relationships between grey matter volume (GMV) of basal ganglia regions (caudate, putamen, pallidum and nucleus accumbens) and self-reported wellbeing (COMPAS-W), in a s le of Australian adolescents aged 12 years (N = 49, M = 12.6, 46.9% female). Significant negative associations were found between left hemisphere caudate GMV and scores on 'total wellbeing', 'composure' and 'positivity'. The results of this study indicate that smaller caudate GMV at age 12 is linked to increased subjective wellbeing. While seemingly counter-intuitive, our finding is consistent with previous research of decreased GMV in the pons and increased COMPAS-W scores in adults. Our results suggest that protective neurobiological factors may be identifiable early in adolescence and be linked to specific types of wellbeing (such as positive affect and optimism). This has implications for interventions targeted at building resilience against mental health disorders in young people.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-12-2019
DOI: 10.1002/HBM.24890
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-01-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-02-2019
DOI: 10.1002/PITS.22232
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-03-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FNHUM.2021.622313
Abstract: Identifying biomarkers of developing mental disorder is crucial to improving early identification and treatment—a key strategy for reducing the burden of mental disorders. Cross-frequency coupling between two different frequencies of neural oscillations is one such promising measure, believed to reflect synchronization between local and global networks in the brain. Specifically, in adults phase– litude coupling (PAC) has been shown to be involved in a range of cognitive processes, including working and long-term memory, attention, language, and fluid intelligence. Evidence suggests that increased PAC mediates both temporary and lasting improvements in working memory elicited by transcranial direct-current stimulation and reductions in depressive symptoms after transcranial magnetic stimulation. Moreover, research has shown that abnormal patterns of PAC are associated with depression and schizophrenia in adults. PAC is believed to be closely related to cortico-cortico white matter (WM) microstructure, which is well established in the literature as a structural mechanism underlying mental health. Some cognitive findings have been replicated in adolescents and abnormal patterns of PAC have also been linked to ADHD in young people. However, currently most research has focused on cross-sectional adult s les. Whereas initial hypotheses suggested that PAC was a state-based measure due to an early focus on cognitive, task-based research, current evidence suggests that PAC has both state-based and stable components. Future longitudinal research focusing on PAC throughout adolescent development could further our understanding of the relationship between mental health and cognition and facilitate the development of new methods for the identification and treatment of youth mental health.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-07-2021
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 05-2022
Abstract: Social connectedness is well established as an important aspect of adolescence, with higher levels typically resulting in positive mental health and well-being. Cyberbullying is a prevalent concern during adolescence and is a significant contributor to poor mental health outcomes during this important phase of life. Research shows that social connectedness may act as a protective factor for mental health and well-being when young people experience cyberbullying. However, further research is required to elucidate associations between social connectedness, well-being, and cyberbullying over time. This article outlines preliminary findings from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study (LABS). Data are reported from
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEUROIMAGE.2022.119358
Abstract: Each human brain has a unique functional synchronisation pattern (functional connectome) analogous to a fingerprint that underpins brain functions and related behaviours. Here we examine functional connectome (whole-brain and 13 networks) maturation by measuring its uniqueness in adolescents who underwent brain scans longitudinally from 12 years of age every four months. The uniqueness of a functional connectome is defined as its ratio of self-similarity (from the same subject at a different time point) to the maximal similarity-to-others (from a given subject and any others at a different time point). We found that the unique whole brain connectome exists in 12 years old adolescents, with 92% in iduals having a whole brain uniqueness value greater than one. The cingulo-opercular network (CON a long-acting 'brain control network' configuring information processing) demonstrated marginal uniqueness in early adolescence with 56% of in iduals showing uniqueness greater than one (i.e., more similar to her/his own CON four months later than those from any other subjects) and this increased longitudinally. Notably, the low uniqueness of the CON correlates (β = -18.6, FDR-Q < < 0.001) with K10 levels at the subsequent time point. This association suggests that the in idualisation of CON network is related to psychological distress levels. Our findings highlight the potential of longitudinal neuroimaging to capture mental health problems in young people who are undergoing profound neuroplasticity and environment sensitivity period.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-01-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S44202-021-00013-3
Abstract: Cyberbullying contributes to poor mental health outcomes and quality of life (QoL), and peer victimisation has been shown to be positively associated with both positive and negative metacognition. Whilst metacognitive beliefs are associated with pathological worry, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and rumination in depression, research is yet to examine whether metacognitive beliefs influence negative outcomes, such as reduced QoL, associated with experiences of cyberbullying. This study examines whether cybervictimisation, cyberbullying and metacognition play predictive roles in QoL, and if metacognition mediates any association between cybervictimisation, cyberbullying and QoL over time. Participants in the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study (LABS), aged 12 years and in grade 7, who had completed up to four assessment time-points (T) were included in this analysis: T1: N = 65 T2: N = 61 T3: N = 56 T4: N = 44. Structural equation modeling revealed significant associations between cyberbullying, cybervictimisation, metacognitive beliefs, and QoL. However, mediation analysis showed that only cognitive confidence acted as a partial mediator between cybervictimisation and QoL. The results suggest those who were more frequently cybervictimised had reduced confidence in their memory, which resulted in lower QoL. In addition, uncontrollability/danger and superstition, punishment, and responsibility were all negatively associated with QoL, indicating that as these metacognitive beliefs increased, QoL decreased. Our findings highlight the detrimental impact that cybervictimisation experiences can have on QoL in young people over time, and that some forms of metacognitive beliefs can also impact QoL. These findings can inform educators and health professionals on the importance of metacognition in regard to QoL over time, particularly in those who experience cybervictimisation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 08-10-2018
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-05-2021
Abstract: While research has examined bystander responses in a traditional sense, there is a dearth of research regarding responses of cyberbystanders in a real-time situation, such as observing a cyberbullying scenario. This article describes a novel protocol designed to develop a series of images to be used to undertake research that aims to examine cyberbystander responses. A total of 24 scenarios (12 negative (cyberbullying) and 12 neutral) were created by the researchers and designed to mimic the way such scenarios would appear on a social networking site. The negative (cyberbullying) stimuli were rated in terms of level of severity, and the scenarios were compared to a selection of images from the International Affective Picture System using the Self-Assessment Manikin. These stimuli were compiled to form the Cyberbullying Picture Series (CyPicS). Through the development of the CyPicS, this protocol will aid future researchers in examining responses to real-life scenarios, as it is the first of its kind to develop these scenarios and test and evaluate them. CyPicS will provide researchers with the means to systematically evaluate responses to validated, real-life cyberbullying scenarios. More specifically, future researchers can utilize CyPicS to investigate how cyberbystanders respond when observing cyberbullying stimuli compared to neutral stimuli, as well as to measure and understand reactions or perceptions of cyberbullying. CyPicS can be used in any form of cyberbullying research (including electroencephalography and eye-tracking studies, psychological research, and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies) that may utilize bystander reactions and behaviors. Findings from research that utilizes CyPicS will greatly increase our understanding of bystander responses, and with variations in study design, researchers can further examine past or future associations with cyber-victim/bully status and mental health outcomes.
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1159/000502339
Abstract: The hippoc us and amygdala have justifiably been the focus of much mental health research due to their putative roles in top-down processing control of emotion, fear, and anxiety. However, understanding the causal relationship between these regions and mental illness has been limited as current literature is lacking in the observation of neuro-structural changes preceding first episodes. Here, we report whole and sub-structural hippoc al and amygdala volume correlates of psychological distress in early adolescence. Automated hippoc al subfield and amygdala nuclei segmentation was carried out in 32 participants (12–13 years old) recruited for the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study (LABS) who had psychological distress scores measured by the Kessler-10. Partial correlation analyses revealed significant negative association between left whole amygdala volume and psychological distress. Sub-structure analysis revealed that smaller left hippoc al CA1 volume and left basal and accessory basal amygdala nuclei volumes were all significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Four-month follow-up analysis also revealed an association between change in K10 and CA1 volume suggesting a continued relationship between this hippoc al substructure and psychological distress. Grey matter volume of subcortical sub-structures involved within the hippoc al-basolateral amygdala-prefrontal cortex loop are highly correlated and are significantly reduced in adolescents with higher levels of psychological distress, indicating these nuclei and subfields play an important role in the emergence of mental illness.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-08-2021
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 15-10-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.14.464347
Abstract: 1 To better understand the relationships between brain activity, cognitive function and mental health risk in adolescence there is value in identifying data-driven subgroups based on measurements of brain activity and function, and then comparing cognition and mental health symptoms between such subgroups. Here we implement a multi-stage analysis pipeline to identify data-driven clusters of 12-year-olds (M = 12.64, SD = 0.32) based on frequency characteristics calculated from resting state, eyes-closed electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. EEG data was collected from 59 in iduals as part of their baseline assessment in the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study (LABS) being undertaken in Queensland, Australia. Applying multiple unsupervised clustering algorithms to these EEG features, we identified well-separated subgroups of in iduals. To study patterns of difference in cognitive function and mental health symptoms between core clusters, we applied Bayesian regression models to probabilistically identify differences in these measures between clusters. We identified 5 core clusters which were associated with distinct subtypes of resting state EEG frequency content. EEG features that were influential in differentiating clusters included In idual Alpha Frequency, relative power in 4 Hz bands up to 16 Hz, and 95% Spectral Edge Frequency. Bayesian models demonstrated substantial differences in psychological distress, sleep quality and cognitive function between these clusters. By examining associations between neurophysiology and health measures across clusters, we have identified preliminary risk and protective profiles linked to EEG characteristics. In this work we have developed a flexible and scaleable pipeline to identify subgroups of in iduals in early adolescence on the basis of resting state EEG activity. These findings provide new clues about neurophysiological subgroups of adolescents in the general population, and associated patterns of health and cognition that are not observed at the whole group level. This approach offers potential utility in clinical risk prediction for mental and cognitive health outcomes throughout adolescent development.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-05-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-88932-Y
Abstract: Adolescence is a period of significant anatomical and functional brain changes, and complex interactions occur between mental health risk factors. The Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study commenced in 2018, to monitor environmental and psychosocial factors influencing mental health in 500 adolescents, for 5 years. Participants are recruited at age 12 from the community in Australia’s Sunshine Coast region. In this baseline, cross-sectional study of N = 64 participants, we draw on the network perspective, conceptualising mental disorders as causal systems of interacting entities, to propose a Bayesian network (BN) model of lifestyle and psychosocial variables influencing chances of in iduals being psychologically well or experiencing psychological distress. Sensitivity analysis of network priors revealed that psychological distress (Kessler-10) was most affected by eating behaviour. Unhealthy eating increased the chance of moderate psychological distress by 600%. Low social connectedness increased the chance of severe psychological disorder by 200%. Certainty for psychological wellness required 33% decrease in unhealthy eating behaviours, 11% decrease in low social connectedness, and 9% reduction in less physical activity. BN can augment clinician judgement in mental disorders as probabilistic decision support systems. The full potential of BN methodology in a complex systems approach to psychopathology has yet to be realised.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 18-09-2019
Abstract: Have you ever been in a situation where you have asked yourself whether you should tell on a person because he or she is not doing the right thing? An ex le of this might be that you see someone on the school grounds pulling a branch from a tree and that person then tries to hit other children with the branch when they pass by. In your mind, you might start thinking about what might happen if you speak up. Will you get in trouble? Will the person you told on be angry with you? Will someone get hurt if you do not say anything? When faced with such decisions, it is important to understand the difference between telling on someone and telling someone. When we tell on someone (also called dobbing or snitching), we are trying to get someone in trouble on purpose. Telling someone is different, as we are speaking up because we are worried that something bad might happen or someone might get hurt. Our brains help us make decisions based on our past experiences and current thoughts … but sometimes parts of the brain can make this process even more confusing.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Larisa McLoughlin.