ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2283-356X
Current Organisations
Deakin University
,
Orygen
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-10-2021
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.23627
Abstract: Eating disorders (EDs) and depression are among the most debilitating and pervasive mental illnesses. Although they often co‐occur, the relationship between EDs and depression remains poorly understood. This study used network analysis to explore the symptom‐level relationship between EDs and depression among a s le of Australian adolescents completing their first year of secondary school. Adolescents ( N = 4,421) aged between 10 and 15 years completed the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale and the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire. Network structure was estimated using the Gaussian graphical model and node centrality was assessed using one‐step expected influence (EI) and bridge EI. “Depressed,” “lonely,” and “low energy” were identified as core symptoms of depression. “Shape and weight dissatisfaction,” “desire to lose weight,” and “preoccupation with shape or weight” were identified as core ED symptoms. “Irritable,” “social eating,” and “depressed” were identified as the most important nodes connecting (i.e., bridging) symptoms of depression and EDs. This study provides an important symptom‐level conceptualization of the association between depression and ED symptoms in a community s le of adolescents. This preliminary evidence may guide the development of public health prevention and early intervention programs. Future research should be conducted to address the study limitations (e.g., cross‐sectional design).
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 30-06-2023
DOI: 10.1136/ARCHDISCHILD-2023-325662
Abstract: Nurse home visiting (NHV) is designed to redress child and maternal health inequities. Of the previous trials to investigate NHV benefits beyond preschool, none were designed for populations with universal healthcare. To address this evidence gap, we investigated whether the Australian ‘right@home’ NHV programme improved child and maternal outcomes when children turned 6 and started school. A screening survey identified pregnant women experiencing adversity from antenatal clinics across two states (Victoria, Tasmania). 722 were randomised: 363 to the right@home programme (25 visits promoting parenting and home learning environment) and 359 to usual care. Child measures at 6 years (first school year): Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) (maternal/teacher-reported) general health and paediatric quality of life (maternal-reported) and reading/school adaptation items (teacher-reported). Maternal measures: Personal Well-being Index (PWI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, warm/hostile parenting, Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS), emotional abuse and health/efficacy items. Following best-practice methods for managing missing data, outcomes were compared between groups (intention-to-treat) using regression models adjusted for stratification factors, baseline variables and clustering (nurse/site level). Mothers reported on 338 (47%) children, and teachers on 327 (45%). Patterns of group differences favoured the programme arm, with small benefits (effect sizes ranging 0.15–0.26) evident for SDQ, SSIS, CHEXI, PWI, warm parenting and CPRS. Four years after completing the right@home programme, benefits were evident across home and school contexts. Embedding NHV in universal healthcare systems from pregnancy can offer long-term benefits for families experiencing adversity. ISRCTN89962120 .
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 13-09-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0257357
Abstract: Australia has maintained low rates of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) infection, due to geographic location and strict public health restrictions. However, the financial and social impacts of these restrictions can negatively affect parents’ and children’s mental health. In an existing cohort of mothers recruited for their experience of adversity, this study examined: 1) families’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions in terms of clinical exposure, financial hardship family stress, and family resilience (termed ‘COVID-19 impacts’) and 2) associations between COVID-19 impacts and maternal and child mental health. Participants were mothers recruited during pregnancy (2013–14) across two Australian states (Victoria and Tasmania) for the ‘right@home’ trial. A COVID-19 survey was conducted from May-December 2020, when children were 5.9–7.2 years old. Mothers reported COVID-19 impacts, their own mental health (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales short-form) and their child’s mental health (CoRonavIruS Health and Impact Survey subscale). Associations between COVID-19 impacts and mental health were examined using regression models controlling for pre-COVID-19 characteristics. 319/406 (79%) mothers completed the COVID-19 survey. Only one reported having had COVID-19. Rates of self-quarantine (20%), job or income loss (27%) and family stress (e.g., difficulty managing children’s at-home learning (40%)) were high. Many mothers also reported family resilience (e.g., family found good ways of coping (49%)). COVID-19 impacts associated with poorer mental health (standardised coefficients) included self-quarantine (mother: β = 0.46, child: β = 0.46), financial hardship (mother: β = 0.27, child: β = 0.37) and family stress (mother: β = 0.49, child: β = 0.74). Family resilience was associated with better mental health (mother: β = -0.40, child: β = -0.46). The financial and social impacts of Australia’s public health restrictions have substantially affected families experiencing adversity, and their mental health. These impacts are likely to exacerbate inequities arising from adversity. To recover from COVID-19, policy investment should include income support and universal access to family health services.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 28-11-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0277773
Abstract: Nurse home visiting (NHV) is widely implemented to address inequities in child and maternal health. However, few studies have examined longer-term effectiveness or delivery within universal healthcare systems. We evaluated the benefits of an Australian NHV program (“right@home”) in promoting children’s language and learning, general and mental health, maternal mental health and wellbeing, parenting and family relationships, at child ages 4 and 5 years. Randomised controlled trial of NHV delivered via universal, child and family health services (the comparator). Pregnant women experiencing adversity (≥2 of 10 risk factors) were recruited from 10 antenatal clinics across 2 states (Victoria, Tasmania) in Australia. Mothers in the intervention arm were offered 25 nurse home visits (mean 23·2 home visits [SD 7·4, range 1–43] received) of 60–90 minutes, commencing antenatally and continuing until children’s second birthdays. At 4 and 5 years, outcomes were assessed via parent interview and direct assessment of children’s language and learning (receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, attention, and executive function). Outcomes were compared between intervention and usual care arms (intention to treat) using adjusted regression with robust estimation to account for nurse/site. Missing data were addressed using multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting. Of 722 women enrolled in the trial, 225 of 363 (62%) intervention and 201 of 359 (56%) usual care women provided data at 5 years. Estimated group differences showed an overall pattern favouring the intervention. Statistical evidence of benefits was found across child and maternal mental health and wellbeing, parenting and family relationships with effect sizes ranging 0·01–0·27. An Australian NHV program promoted longer-term family functioning and wellbeing for women experiencing adversity. NHV can offer an important component of a proportionate universal system that delivers support and intervention relative to need. 2013–2016, registration ISRCTN89962120
Publisher: Rural and Remote Health
Date: 28-10-2019
DOI: 10.22605/RRH5240
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.BODYIM.2022.06.012
Abstract: Despite frequently co-occurring, the temporal relationship between depression and eating disorder symptoms remains poorly understood. This exploratory study sought to investigate the reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and (1) shape and weight dissatisfaction, (2) shape and weight overvaluation, (3) preoccupation with shape or weight, (4) preoccupation with food, (5) dietary restraint and (6) binge eating in early adolescence. Adolescents (N = 1393) aged between 11.4 and 13.9 years (M = 12.50, SD = 0.38) completed the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale-Revised and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Adolescent version at the beginning of secondary school (T1) and 12-months later (T2). Cross-lagged models were created to assess the reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and ED symptoms. Depressive symptoms at T1 predicted shape and weight dissatisfaction, shape and weight overvaluation, preoccupation with shape or weight, preoccupation with food, dietary restraint and binge eating at T2. Shape and weight dissatisfaction and binge eating were the only ED symptoms at T1 to predict depressive symptoms at T2. Findings suggest young adolescents who experience depressive symptoms in their first year of secondary school are at-risk of developing ED symptoms over the subsequent 12-month period.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-03-2023
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.23928
Abstract: A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between depressive symptoms and eating disorder ( ED ) symptoms requires consideration of additional variables that may influence this relationship. Health‐related quality of life ( HRQOL ) has been associated with both depression and EDs however, there is limited evidence to demonstrate how all three variables interact over time. This study sought to explore the bi‐directional relationships between depressive symptoms, ED symptoms and HRQOL in a large community s le of young adolescents Adolescents ( N = 1393) aged between 11 and 14 years ( M = 12.50, SD = 0.38) completed an online survey measuring depressive symptoms, ED symptoms and HRQOL. Two‐level autoregressive cross‐lagged models with three variables (i.e., depressive symptoms, HRQOL and ED) assessed across two time points (T1 and T2) were created to address the study aims. HRQOL was found to predict depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms were found to predict ED symptoms. Components of HRQOL (i.e., social relationships and ability to cope) were found to share a differential relationship with depressive symptoms. Inability to cope predicted depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms predicted negative social relationships. EDs were found to predict reduced HRQOL and negative social relationships. Findings suggest prevention and early intervention programs designed to address adolescent depression should focus on improving HRQOL. Future research should assess the relationship between HRQOL and in idual ED symptoms (e.g., body‐related ED symptoms, restrictive symptoms) as a means of exploring relationships that may have been masked by assessing ED symptoms using a total score. This study sought to explore how eating disorders, depressive symptoms, and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) relate over time in a s le of young adolescents. Findings indicate adolescents who self‐reported lower levels of HRQOL, including a reduced ability to cope, are at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. Adolescents should be provided with the tools to develop problem‐focused coping strategies as a means of reducing depressive symptoms.
No related grants have been discovered for Bridget Kenny.