A biological model of early-onset aggression and antisocial behaviour. Aggression and antisocial behaviour have their origins in childhood. The causes involve a combination of environmental and biological factors. This project develops and tests an innovative model of how neural/hormonal processes predispose children to develop different forms of aggressive and antisocial behaviour.
Environmental and genetic risk factors for anxiety disorders in children. Anxiety disorders provide one of the largest sources of disability affecting Australian society. The results of this study will lead to critical advances in our understanding of the causes of anxiety disorders. Having greater understanding of factors that place a child at risk for disorder will allow intervention programs to more accurately target those children and families at greatest risk. Given the prevalence of anxiet ....Environmental and genetic risk factors for anxiety disorders in children. Anxiety disorders provide one of the largest sources of disability affecting Australian society. The results of this study will lead to critical advances in our understanding of the causes of anxiety disorders. Having greater understanding of factors that place a child at risk for disorder will allow intervention programs to more accurately target those children and families at greatest risk. Given the prevalence of anxiety disorders and the significant life interference associated with these disorders, improving intervention efforts will give rise to significant enhancement in the mental health of thousands of Australian children. Read moreRead less
Continuity and change in the development of young children with autism. Autism is a severe condition affecting social interaction, communication, behaviour and interests. Parents of children with autism experience high levels of stress associated with the burden of caring. There is a high societal cost associated with the care of people with autism. Research shows outcome in autism is poor, but that early intervention may improve outcome. This project will identify specific early precursors of a ....Continuity and change in the development of young children with autism. Autism is a severe condition affecting social interaction, communication, behaviour and interests. Parents of children with autism experience high levels of stress associated with the burden of caring. There is a high societal cost associated with the care of people with autism. Research shows outcome in autism is poor, but that early intervention may improve outcome. This project will identify specific early precursors of autism which predict outcome. This will allow the development of targeted intervention to give children the best possible start in life and improve longterm outcome. Improvement to the outcome of people with autism will considerably reduce parental and family burden and cost to the community.Read moreRead less
Attentional mechanisms in the relationship between sleep disruption and academic outcomes in Australian school children. This project will assess the impact of sleep problems on attention and academic performance in primary school children. The project will investigate typically developing children and children with developmental disorders over 18 months. The research will advance knowledge of the interplay between sleep, attention and learning across development.
Behaviour and emotional problems in young children with developmental delay. This research will provide health professionals, researchers and service providers with a reliable and valid measure to assess behaviour in young children with developmental delay. This will be the first instrument of its kind worldwide. The study will provide the largest and most comprehensive survey of behaviour and emotional problems in young children with developmental delay internationally to date. It will provide ....Behaviour and emotional problems in young children with developmental delay. This research will provide health professionals, researchers and service providers with a reliable and valid measure to assess behaviour in young children with developmental delay. This will be the first instrument of its kind worldwide. The study will provide the largest and most comprehensive survey of behaviour and emotional problems in young children with developmental delay internationally to date. It will provide information on the types of treatment that are needed for these children and what support is needed for their families. The outcomes of this study have the potential to promote the best possible start in life and long term mental health of this group of at risk and disadvantaged young Australians.Read moreRead less
The cognitive neuroscience of executive control: behavioural, physiological and genetic mechanisms. How genes influence our human abilities to think, reason and control behaviour has puzzled scientists for decades. The human genome project has allowed us to ask how individual genes influence these capacities. Understanding the genetics of these abilities provides a solid platform from which to launch gene discovery projects in clinical disorders where these abilities are compromised. The curr ....The cognitive neuroscience of executive control: behavioural, physiological and genetic mechanisms. How genes influence our human abilities to think, reason and control behaviour has puzzled scientists for decades. The human genome project has allowed us to ask how individual genes influence these capacities. Understanding the genetics of these abilities provides a solid platform from which to launch gene discovery projects in clinical disorders where these abilities are compromised. The current project is directly relevant to the genetics of mental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), that place a large burden, both financially and emotionally, on our society. Understanding the genes and biological pathways that increase risk for mental disorders will ultimately lead to improved treatments for these conditions.Read moreRead less
From Anxious Temperament to Disorder: The role of the parent- child interaction. Three studies are proposed. The first examines parent behaviour (overinvolvement, encouragement of avoidance) in a large group of inhibited and uninhibited preschoolers over two-years. The aim is to determine whether parent behaviour places an inhibited child at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The second examines parents of anxious children interacting with non-clinical children and parents of non-cl ....From Anxious Temperament to Disorder: The role of the parent- child interaction. Three studies are proposed. The first examines parent behaviour (overinvolvement, encouragement of avoidance) in a large group of inhibited and uninhibited preschoolers over two-years. The aim is to determine whether parent behaviour places an inhibited child at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The second examines parents of anxious children interacting with non-clinical children and parents of non-clinical children interacting with anxious children. It is expected that anxious children will elicit more help from non-clinical mothers. The third examines anxiety-disordered parents interacting with their children. It is expected that anxiety-disordered mothers would be overinvolved regardless of the child's anxiety.Read moreRead less
Controlled trial of a family intervention for children bullied by peers. Bullying by peers begins as early as pre-school and affects a tenth of Australian children almost every day. This has serious ongoing consequences including increased risk of mental health problems, onset of health problems, development of negative school attitudes and behaviour problems and loss of friendships. This study is a controlled trial of a family program to assist children and parents to reduce the incidence and i ....Controlled trial of a family intervention for children bullied by peers. Bullying by peers begins as early as pre-school and affects a tenth of Australian children almost every day. This has serious ongoing consequences including increased risk of mental health problems, onset of health problems, development of negative school attitudes and behaviour problems and loss of friendships. This study is a controlled trial of a family program to assist children and parents to reduce the incidence and impact of bullying. If successful, such a program could provide relief to many children and families struggling with bullying and save untold millions of dollars lost to future mental health demands.Read moreRead less
Prospective predictors of body image attitudes and dieting beliefs during first years of school: Providing guidance for prevention. Although it is recognised that body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for the development of a wide range of mental health problems, little is known about its early development. There is a distinct increase in body dissatisfaction and dieting awareness during early school years. However, there has not been an exploration of a wide range of family, media, peer and sch ....Prospective predictors of body image attitudes and dieting beliefs during first years of school: Providing guidance for prevention. Although it is recognised that body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for the development of a wide range of mental health problems, little is known about its early development. There is a distinct increase in body dissatisfaction and dieting awareness during early school years. However, there has not been an exploration of a wide range of family, media, peer and school adaptation variables as predictors of body image and weight change behaviours in both girls and boys. This project will examine prospective predictors of body image and related variables in five to seven years old children. Findings will inform development of prevention interventions to assist parents and schools provide a positive body image and eating environment for Australian children.Read moreRead less
Motor coordination in infancy and its relationship to motor and psychosocial development in childhood. Few studies have examined the impact of early motor development on later development, even though there is evidence to show that these early movements influence later motor ability. Motor development can also impact on cognitive, emotional and social development. The current study has data on early motor ability in over 90 infants which includes children at risk of developmental disorders. We ....Motor coordination in infancy and its relationship to motor and psychosocial development in childhood. Few studies have examined the impact of early motor development on later development, even though there is evidence to show that these early movements influence later motor ability. Motor development can also impact on cognitive, emotional and social development. The current study has data on early motor ability in over 90 infants which includes children at risk of developmental disorders. We will carry out a longitudinal investigation of the relationship between early motor development in infancy on motor and psychosocial development in childhood. The results will provide information on early markers for developmental disorders and appropriate intervention techniques than can be initiated in infancy. Read moreRead less