Testing A Transgenerational Cycles Of Violence Model In Timor-Leste: Impact Of Maternal Anger On Childhood Aggression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$881,002.00
Summary
We will examine ways in which war trauma can cause mental disorder and behavioural disturbances in the next generation. We will examine the problem of extreme anger amongst mothers caused by war trauma, domestic violence and other stresses. Mothers with anger may have difficulties parenting their children, resulting in behavioural disturbances in the next generation. In the longer term, these children may show aggressive behaviour that leads to ongoing family and social instability.
The Effect Of Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy On Child Cognitive Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,562.00
Summary
During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later dev ....During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later development is in fetal life (during pregnancy). We have the opportunity to test whether iron nutrition in fetal life influences childhood development by assessing the cognitive abilities of children who were in our earlier study of iron supplementation in pregnancy. Our aim is to assess the children at 4 years to determine if iron nutrition in pregnancy predicts development. This may change the dietary advice we give pregnant women to ensure they give their babies the best start in life.Read moreRead less
Obesity During Pregnancy: How Can We Improve Health Outcomes For Women, Infants And Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,449.00
Summary
Obesity is a common issue facing Australian women and has a role to play in health in pregnancy, birth and later life for the woman and her children. Providing interventions for better health during pregnancy is likely to be an important factor in improving outcomes for a woman and her infant, both at the time of pregnancy and in later life.
Strategies To Increase Breastfeeding Duration In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,870.00
Summary
I am a general practitioner and lactation consultant with expertise in breastfeeding research and practice. I am an international expert in nipple and breast pain in breastfeeding women, and have published widely on other clinical topics, including medications for breastfeeding women; also breastfeeding rates and factors associated with lower rates, such as maternal smoking, obesity and low-income. This fellowship allows me to look at ways to improve breastfeeding rates in Australia and to impro ....I am a general practitioner and lactation consultant with expertise in breastfeeding research and practice. I am an international expert in nipple and breast pain in breastfeeding women, and have published widely on other clinical topics, including medications for breastfeeding women; also breastfeeding rates and factors associated with lower rates, such as maternal smoking, obesity and low-income. This fellowship allows me to look at ways to improve breastfeeding rates in Australia and to improve the experience for women and their families.Read moreRead less
Understanding Current And Future Opportunities To Promote Healthy Maternal Weight During Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,620.00
Summary
The PhD will document clinical management of maternal weight gain during and post pregnancy, across a range of antenatal care providers and deliver a nine month pilot intervention study for first time mothers, aimed at reducing post pregnancy weight retention and promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Findings from this PhD will inform important future development of healthy weight interventions across the reproductive years.
Relationship Between Caregiver Time And Mental Health&well-being Of Mothers Caring For Children With Chronic Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,127.00
Summary
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has calculated that the dollar value of unpaid caring labour is approximately double the total (monetary) welfare service expenditure in Australia. Furthermore, most authorities predict that the need for informal care will grow as the population ages and as government policies continue to emphasize de-institutionalisation and care in the community. A significant group of these informal caregivers are mothers caring for children with chronic disabili ....The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has calculated that the dollar value of unpaid caring labour is approximately double the total (monetary) welfare service expenditure in Australia. Furthermore, most authorities predict that the need for informal care will grow as the population ages and as government policies continue to emphasize de-institutionalisation and care in the community. A significant group of these informal caregivers are mothers caring for children with chronic disabilities. These mothers have long been known to have higher rates of psychosocial problems than other mothers. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which these problems arise. This is a significant omission, as the potential benefit of home-based care for children with chronic disabilities will only be realised if caregivers remain healthy. It seems unlikely that caregivers will be able to provide effective care for children if their own health has been compromised by the demands of caring for the children's disabilities. The present study will provide new information about the relationship between the caregiving time mothers must spend caring for children with chronic disability, and maternal psychological adjustment and health-related quality of life. A better understanding of the mechanisms which give rise to maternal psychosocial problems in this population is important for two reasons. First, information in this area is an essential prerequisite for the development of effective support to reduce the problems experienced by primary caregivers and ensure they can play an effective ongoing role in the care of children with chronic disability. Second, at a theoretical level there is a great need to obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which environmental stressors give rise to mental health problems, particularly depression, in the general population.Read moreRead less
Uncovering The Hidden Impacts And Costs Of Exposure To Intimate Partner Violence In Childhood: A 20-year Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,595,473.00
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and adverse childhood experiences are common, and cluster within families. This longitudinal study will improve understanding of intergenerational impacts and costs of IPV and provide evidence regarding strategies that may reduce the risk of poor mental health in adult life for the more than 1 in 3 Australian children growing up in households where IPV is occurring.
STan Intrapartum Fetal Monitoring (cardiotocographic Plus Electrocardiographic) Compared With Cardiotocographic (CTG) Monitoring Alone: An Australian Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,369.00
Summary
Women in high risk labour have their babies monitored by electronic fetal monitoring. This detects unborn babies not coping during labour, but may lead to unnecessary caesarean sections by incorrectly indicating that the baby is at risk. We will compare CTG to STan monitoring, which may give fewer false readings. We will show if STan reduces emergency caesarean section, and will investigate the impact on the baby, assess psychological aspects such as mental health and wellbeing, and costs.
The Effects Of Dietary And Lifestyle Interventions Among Pregnant Women Who Are Overweight Or Obese On Longer-term Maternal And Early Childhood Outcomes: An Individual Participant Data (IPD) Meta-analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,317.00
Summary
Obesity affects 50% of pregnant women, and is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In the longer-term, maternal obesity predicts high infant birth weight and future child obesity. We will combine and analyse randomised controlled trial data available world-wide through an individual participant data meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of antenatal dietary intervention among women who are overweight or obese on longer-term maternal and child health.
New Technology For New Mums - A Pragmatic Trial Of Web-Based Support For Mothers Of Young Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$916,717.00
Summary
"New Technology for New Mums" is a research project to test the effectiveness of a combined nurse and internet-based support service for carers of infants from 4 weeks to 18 months.