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Pathways To Mental Health And Obesity In Young Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,510.00
Summary
While the health of the population has been gradually improving, there are some health problems which are increasing. The mental health of young people is one such area. Based on data relating to youth suicide, substance abuse, cigarette smoking by females and behavioural or mental health problems in the young, there has been evidence of a marked increase in some important health problems faced by the young. Little is known about the causes of these problems and even less is known about the reas ....While the health of the population has been gradually improving, there are some health problems which are increasing. The mental health of young people is one such area. Based on data relating to youth suicide, substance abuse, cigarette smoking by females and behavioural or mental health problems in the young, there has been evidence of a marked increase in some important health problems faced by the young. Little is known about the causes of these problems and even less is known about the reasons for the increase. Based on the available evidence, 20-25% of young persons manifest a mental health problem. A second area of marked health deterioration concerns youth (and adult) obesity. Existing research points to the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity from a very early age. Over 10% of youth are obese and a substantially higher proportion are overweight. There is evidence that the rate of obesity has been substantially increasing. Again little is known about the factors that contribute to obesity or the causes of the increase in the rates of obesity in the population. This proposal is for a 21-year follow-up of a sample of youth first enrolled when their mothers attended for their first obstetrical visit. Using a substantial body of existing data, we propose to examine the changes in levels of mental health and obesity and to identify the factors which contribute to these changes. This study involves the largest Australian cohort ever assembled for such research. The main questions asked in this study concern the impact of the mother's social and economic circumstances, her physical health and well-being, her use of addictive substances (including alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs) on the youth's health. We will also examine the association between early indicators of mental health and well-being and subsequent youth health and development.Read moreRead less
Impact Of An Infant Sleep Intervention On Infant Sleep And Maternal Wellbeing: A Cluster Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$205,500.00
Summary
Infant sleep problems and postnatal depression are common in the Australian community. Over a third of Australians report a problem with their infant's sleep in the second six months of life whilst 10-15% of Australian women will experience an episode of depression in the first year after their child is born. Both infant sleep problems and postnatal depression have been associated with serious outcomes including child abuse, child behaviour problems, maternal physical and emotional problems, fam ....Infant sleep problems and postnatal depression are common in the Australian community. Over a third of Australians report a problem with their infant's sleep in the second six months of life whilst 10-15% of Australian women will experience an episode of depression in the first year after their child is born. Both infant sleep problems and postnatal depression have been associated with serious outcomes including child abuse, child behaviour problems, maternal physical and emotional problems, family stress and family breakdown. This study builds on previous work conducted by researchers at the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. In this work, a brief behavioural intervention significantly decreased infant sleep problems and symptoms of maternal depression, particularly for depressed mothers. The intervention consisted of controlled crying and removal of sleep associations such as a dummy which the infant had become dependent upon to fall asleep. Mothers who received the intervention reported 20% fewer sleep problems and a 45% reduction in depression symptoms compared with mothers who did not receive the intervention. The interention also improved maternal sleep quality and quantity and reduced the need for professional sleep services. It was acceptable to mothers, of low cost and was minimally disruptive to families - in contrast to many current strategies directed primarily at postnatal depression. This trial aims to determine whther a similar intervention delivered by Victorian Maternal and Child health nurses within their usual practice settings can replicate these important benefits.Read moreRead less
Deaths In Young People Involved In The Youth Justice System: Towards Evidence-based Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,705.00
Summary
Young offenders have complex health needs and are at dramatically increased risk of preventable death due to drug overdose, suicide and injury. In order to inform effective prevention, a more detailed understanding of mortality in these young people is required. This project will examine all deaths in young offenders in Queensland from 1993 to 2015, identify targets for prevention, and recommend policy reforms and interventions that are supported by evidence and are culturally appropriate.
Orygen Virtual World Project: Bringing To Life A New Age Of Digitally Enhanced Youth Mental Health Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,423.00
Summary
Providing mental health care to young people is essential as we know that most mental health problems begin before the age of 25. Harnessing technologies to connect young people to youth mental health (YMH) services remotely has enormous potential to improve access and engagement. The project aims to design a unique virtual world or 'clinic' with the help of young people with lived experience and then test three types of therapy to see if they are liked by young people and feasible to deliver.
Disentangling The Interrelationship Between Multimordibity, Multimedicine Use, And Cardiovascular Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,978.00
Summary
Australians are living longer, but are also living with more health conditions and taking more medicines to treat those conditions. For people with cardiovascular disease (CVD), this is a problem as hundreds of non-cardiac medicines known to increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure. We will take a holistic, patient-centred approach determine the true burden of CVD related to use of medicines to treat comorbid conditions in Australia.
Promoting engagement with life in older adulthood. This project aims to examine engagement in meaningful activities among older adults. Increasing older adults' engagement could promote direct benefits for social integration, well-being and better quality of life. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on programs that effectively promote engagement, as well as evaluating a new tailored approach to promoting engagement that aligns with individuals' unique strengths, capabilities and ....Promoting engagement with life in older adulthood. This project aims to examine engagement in meaningful activities among older adults. Increasing older adults' engagement could promote direct benefits for social integration, well-being and better quality of life. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on programs that effectively promote engagement, as well as evaluating a new tailored approach to promoting engagement that aligns with individuals' unique strengths, capabilities and values. The findings aim to provide benefits for community organisations and aged care service providers adopting innovative approaches to promoting ageing well.
Read moreRead less
Health And Fertility Of Young Men Conceived Using Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,570.00
Summary
The injection of a single sperm into the egg (ICSI) has been the main IVF treatment for men with poor sperm quality since 1993 but is now often used for other types of infertility. Concern has been raised about the health of the children. We will approach >800 parents and their adult sons conceived using ICSI and will assess his general health and development, and fertility. This work will improve patient counselling and practice guidelines, and direct research into the safety of ICSI.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,148.00
Summary
Creative ageing through transformative engagement with music. This project aims to evaluate how participation in music activities can foster personal growth, self-efficacy and purpose amongst older adults. Using a novel hybrid theoretical framework, it will generate new knowledge about what elements in music activities deliver such transformative effects and how to widen access. Expected outcomes include a blueprint for transformative music activities, and resources to design them, as well as gu ....Creative ageing through transformative engagement with music. This project aims to evaluate how participation in music activities can foster personal growth, self-efficacy and purpose amongst older adults. Using a novel hybrid theoretical framework, it will generate new knowledge about what elements in music activities deliver such transformative effects and how to widen access. Expected outcomes include a blueprint for transformative music activities, and resources to design them, as well as guidelines and an online, interactive map to make them more widely accessible to our ageing population. Benefits will be improved wellbeing and quality of life for older adults and carers, guidance for music groups, and resources and recommendations for aged-care providers to implement music activities.Read moreRead less
Safe and accessible care for older survivors of psychological trauma. This project aims to improve the safety and accessibility of community aged care services for older survivors of psychological trauma, particularly those from diverse populations. We will co-design and test a practice framework that transforms the conceptual principles of trauma-informed care into actionable care behaviours and processes for implementation. Outcomes will include a world-first roadmap to guide implementation of ....Safe and accessible care for older survivors of psychological trauma. This project aims to improve the safety and accessibility of community aged care services for older survivors of psychological trauma, particularly those from diverse populations. We will co-design and test a practice framework that transforms the conceptual principles of trauma-informed care into actionable care behaviours and processes for implementation. Outcomes will include a world-first roadmap to guide implementation of trauma-informed aged care, as well for policy makers to regulate and monitor its delivery. The project will also increase knowledge about the priorities for change within aged care from the perspective of older trauma survivors, and improve understanding of how best to engage this group in co-design.Read moreRead less
A Life Course Approach To Characterising And Predicting Inactivity And Sedentary Behaviour Of Young Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,006.00
Summary
Poor activity habits are expected to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of health burden in Australia. Poor activity habits increase the risk for a shorter life and many health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and diabetes. Young adulthood is an important time for individuals to develop their lifestyle habits. This study will provide the first detailed description of the inactivity habits of Australians in their early 20s and factors we can target before adulthood to e ....Poor activity habits are expected to overtake smoking as the leading preventable cause of health burden in Australia. Poor activity habits increase the risk for a shorter life and many health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and diabetes. Young adulthood is an important time for individuals to develop their lifestyle habits. This study will provide the first detailed description of the inactivity habits of Australians in their early 20s and factors we can target before adulthood to encourage healthy habits.Read moreRead less