Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Evaluation Of Childhood Anxiety And Depression: Pathways, Risk Factors And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,055.00
Summary
Anxiety and depression are the most common forms of psychological distress affecting Australian children today. These disorders are seriously disabling and continuous across time. Therefore, it is very important to understand more about the onset and course of these disorders, and about factors which influence these disorders in either a positive or negative manner. There are three major goals for the current project. The first is to further our understanding of the development, maintenance, and ....Anxiety and depression are the most common forms of psychological distress affecting Australian children today. These disorders are seriously disabling and continuous across time. Therefore, it is very important to understand more about the onset and course of these disorders, and about factors which influence these disorders in either a positive or negative manner. There are three major goals for the current project. The first is to further our understanding of the development, maintenance, and amelioration of anxiety and depression in a child and youth population. The second is to understand the relationship between these two disorders in children and youth. The third is to use the acquired information to assist in the identification of optimal ages for preventive interventions, and to aid in the matching of interventions to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children versus adolescents. This project aims to meet these goals through implementation of a controlled prevention trial. The aims fo the research are: 1. To examine the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depresison in Australian children and youth 2. To gain valuable clinical information regarding the assessment and prevention of these disorders 3. To understand the risk and protective factors associated with these disorders, and the impact of these factors over time 4. To implement and evaluate a school-based prevention program The expected outcomes of the research are: 1. To acquire valuable information related to the onset and course of anxiety and depression in children and youth, and their associated risk and protective factors 2. To further development of more timely and targeted interventions for the prevention of anxiety and depression 4. To enhance the emotional resilience of participating children and prevent the onset of anxiety and depression 5. To promote Australian research by publishing the results of the project within the international research literatureRead moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of Health, Social And Forensic Outcomes In Young Offenders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,000.00
Summary
In our environment of increasing illicit drug abuse and violent crime, there is an urgent need to gain an understanding of the forensic, health and social factors leading to offending by young people in Australia. Little research has been conducted worldwide looking at the health profile of young people offending across the entire spectrum of seriousness, and we could not find any studies examining this population in Australia. Most reports concern offenders who have received custodial sentences ....In our environment of increasing illicit drug abuse and violent crime, there is an urgent need to gain an understanding of the forensic, health and social factors leading to offending by young people in Australia. Little research has been conducted worldwide looking at the health profile of young people offending across the entire spectrum of seriousness, and we could not find any studies examining this population in Australia. Most reports concern offenders who have received custodial sentences, the most serious end of the offending spectrum. Furthermore, overseas studies are of limited usefulness in the Australian context, as it is difficult to apply observations from communities where the social, ethnic and crime profile may be markedly dissimilar. We propose to interview 450 young people immediately after they obtain their first sentence, usually a community-based order. The problems we will ask about include depression and anxiety, heavy alcohol consumption, heavy use of cannabis and other illegal drugs, deliberate self harm, sexual risk taking behaviour and offending behaviour. We will also ask about the social circumstances, friends and family structure and support. We will then repeat this interview six months later. In addition, we will monitor the participants' compliance with their order, treatment programs they may be on and re-offending until the end of data collection. The study will give us the basis to examine continuity and inter-relationship between problems such as depression and substance abuse, social factors and continued offending. Further, the study will establish a framework to follow-up these young offenders in the medium and long-term. The development of this sound and thorough research program will provide a rational basis for the planning of preventative interventions, aimed at improving the health and welfare and at reducing recidivism in this marginalised and often disadvantaged group of young people.Read moreRead less
The Epidemiology Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Antibiotic Resistance In Community-acquired Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,267,784.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus infections range from boils to life-threatening diseases and are increasingly resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat. This study follows patients with community-acquired S. aureus infections, and close contacts, for 24 months to see if they carry S. aureus (nose swabs) or develop infection. Our data on risk factors for colonisation and infection will help doctors decide whether to trace and treat contacts of patients to protect households from further infection.
MALE OSTEOPOROSIS: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY IN GEELONG
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,645.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a term used to indicate that bones have become thin and fragile. During the ageing process bone fragility increases and fractures occur more easily and more often. Fractures may also occur during normal daily activities, with fractures of the spine, forearm and hip being common. However, many other sites may fracture. This is a serious problem because fractures cause pain, disability and, sometimes, death. Although previously overshadowed by its effect in women, osteoporosis is i ....Osteoporosis is a term used to indicate that bones have become thin and fragile. During the ageing process bone fragility increases and fractures occur more easily and more often. Fractures may also occur during normal daily activities, with fractures of the spine, forearm and hip being common. However, many other sites may fracture. This is a serious problem because fractures cause pain, disability and, sometimes, death. Although previously overshadowed by its effect in women, osteoporosis is increasingly being recognised in men. In Australia, 39% of all fractures occur in men and prognosis for fracture in men is worse than in women. A consequence of increasing male longevity is that osteoporosis will affect a growing number of Australian men. It is anticipated that between 1996 and 2051, the number of men with fracture will double, with a 4-fold increase in the number of male hip fractures. Unless the problem of osteoporosis in men is addressed and effective interventions are implemented, the substantial health burden imposed by age-related fractures will continue to escalate. In this case-control study of fracture risk in men, men with fractures (cases) will be identified prospectively for 3 years from radiological reports. Controls will be selected concurrently, at random from electoral rolls. Anticipated number of cases and controls are 800 and 1400, respectively. Cases and controls will be characterised for risk factors for fracture: bone density and bone geometry will be measured, serum samples collected, and diet, lifestyle and medical history documented by questionnaire. The advantage of this type of data is that information from patients with fracture will be used to tell us about the risk of fracture in healthy, unaffected men and about the characteristics of the Australian male population at risk for fracture. The information can be used in decision making for the individual and in policy making for the whole population.Read moreRead less
Which Mental Activities And When For Dementia Prevention? The Four Nations Longitudinal Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,218.00
Summary
We will examine the link between lifetime participation in complex mental activities and long term dementia risk in a level of detail not previously possible. Four major studies of brain health from around the world will join forces for the first time to determine which mental activities are most closely linked to protection from dementia, and when during the lifespan these are most important. Mental activity will be assessed using our recently published Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire.
The DRUID Study: Diabetes And Related Disorders In Urban Indigenous People In The Darwin Region.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,116,052.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians suffer a high burden of ill health from diabetes and related conditions, but very little is known about the burden of diabetes and its complications among Indigenous people in urban areas, and how to reduce it. Unlike Indigenous people in rural and remote areas, Indigenous people in urban areas (the majority of Indigenous Australians) have rarely been the subjects of health research and have even more rarely been the drivers of such research. The DRUID Study (Diabetes and ....Indigenous Australians suffer a high burden of ill health from diabetes and related conditions, but very little is known about the burden of diabetes and its complications among Indigenous people in urban areas, and how to reduce it. Unlike Indigenous people in rural and remote areas, Indigenous people in urban areas (the majority of Indigenous Australians) have rarely been the subjects of health research and have even more rarely been the drivers of such research. The DRUID Study (Diabetes and Related Disorders in Urban Indigenous People in the Darwin Region) is a partnership between researchers and members of the Darwin Indigenous community to: examine the health of adults aged 15 years and over; refer people with disease to appropriate health care and related services; follow people over time to collect information on the state of their health and their use of health services; and test the effectiveness of a program to improve dietary quality, increase physical activity and reduce tobacco smoking among those at highest risk for diabetes. The results will be of significant value to policy-makers, health practitioners, researchers, and, most importantly, Indigenous people and organisations. The study will provide the first-ever data on the burden of diabetes and related conditions in an urban Indigenous population. This information can be directly compared with recently collected national data from the AusDiab study, and used to inform the development and implementation of strategies for reducing the impact of diabetes and related conditions. The study will provide an important vehicle for the training and development of Indigenous researchers, and the central involvement of Indigenous people in the study will promote improved local awareness and understanding of diabetes among Indigenous people and increase the capacity of Indigenous people and service providers to manage diabetes and related disorders.Read moreRead less
Adolescent Depression: Evaluation Of A Preventive Intervention And Identification Of Risk Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,313.00
Summary
This project will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a school-based program to prevent depression among adolescents. It also aims to identify factors that predict the onset of depression in those who do not receive the intervention. The intervention focuses on the training of interpersonal problem solving skills and enhancement of optimistic thinking styles within a classroom-based curriculum. This project extends the current research program of the applicant. The intervention has already b ....This project will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a school-based program to prevent depression among adolescents. It also aims to identify factors that predict the onset of depression in those who do not receive the intervention. The intervention focuses on the training of interpersonal problem solving skills and enhancement of optimistic thinking styles within a classroom-based curriculum. This project extends the current research program of the applicant. The intervention has already been developed and implemented with 1600 young people, with the support of local education authorities. The evaluation uses well-researched measures and includes a control group of adolescents who do not receive the intervention. Around 5% of adolescents experience clinical levels of depression and an even larger percentage show subclinical levels. Depression results in many debilitating consequences such as impaired school, work and social functioning and is also a risk factor in adolescent suicide. The prevention of mental health problems is a priority for Commonwealth and State governments and yet there is minimal research to demonstrate the effectiveness of preventive interventions, particularly in the area of depression. If the present study demonstrates a positive outcome, it will provide important guidelines as to preventive materials that should be included in the school curriculum. It is predicted that: a) the intervention will be associated with lower levels of depression over the 4 year follow-up, particularly for adolescents who are assessed as showing mild symptoms of depression, poor problem solving skills or pessimistic cognitive style prior to intervention b) risk factors for the development of depression in adolescents who do not receive the intervention will include initial mild symptoms of depression, poor problem solving skills and pessimistic attributional style.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study To Identify The Mechanical Causes And Methods For Early Detection Of Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a great cost to society, financially and in quality of life. Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the symptoms, but many people receive joint replacements to stop pain and improve function. We need to prevent osteoarthritis, but the causes for this common disease are largely unknown. Animal studies have shown two particular mechanical factors that cause osteoarthritis, which are seen in the walking and running, or gait, patterns of some people. We call these ....Knee osteoarthritis is a great cost to society, financially and in quality of life. Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat the symptoms, but many people receive joint replacements to stop pain and improve function. We need to prevent osteoarthritis, but the causes for this common disease are largely unknown. Animal studies have shown two particular mechanical factors that cause osteoarthritis, which are seen in the walking and running, or gait, patterns of some people. We call these pathological gait patterns as they impose larger-than-normal forces on the knee's articular surfaces. We measure these knee forces with our new computer knee model coupled with data that we measure in a gait analysis laboratory. These forces may cause knee osteoarthritis in humans, but this is still unknown. Currently there is no simple medical test to detect the early onset of knee osteoarthritis. The bones in the knee are one of the first structures to show osteoarthritic changes. Using our new computerised analysis of high definition X-ray of the knee we can identify subtle differences in the knee due to osteoarthritis. This will be compared with changes to joint assessed using MRI. Osteoarthritis develops slowly in normal people, so to study progression of knee osteoarthritis we need a human population that has a higher risk of developing the disease. Partial meniscectomy in the knee is a common surgery performed to improve knee function in those who have suffered a knee meniscus injury. However, partial meniscectomy patients have a high risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, using partial meniscectomy patients we are investigating if pathological gait patterns cause knee osteoarthritis, measuring the development of the disease with our new X-ray methods. With the gait analysis methods we can also identify the movements that characterise these pathological gait patterns so we can formulate rehabilitation programmes to help prevent knee osteoarthritis.Read moreRead less
Aetiology, Burden And Causal Pathways Of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections Using Population Linked Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,476.00
Summary
Lower respiratory, or chest infections, are a problem for many children. This project will investigate the impact of chest infections on hospitals and emergency departments, the viruses and bacteria that cause them, identify those children who are at an increased risk of having chest infections and investigate the impact of routine immunisations on specific types of infections. This project will greatly add to our understanding of chest infections so appropriate interventions can be developed.
Predictors And Correlates Of Health-related Quality Of Life And Morbidity In Overweight/obese Adolescents: Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,525.00
Summary
There is now no doubting the size and long-term risks to health of the childhood obesity epidemic. However, very little research has examined at population level its immediate consequences for mental health and physical functioning, what pathways confer risk and protection for these consequences, and their likely healthcare consequences. This study will utilise an existing cohort of approximately 1500 Victorian adolescents followed since childhood to examine neglected aspects of the genesis and ....There is now no doubting the size and long-term risks to health of the childhood obesity epidemic. However, very little research has examined at population level its immediate consequences for mental health and physical functioning, what pathways confer risk and protection for these consequences, and their likely healthcare consequences. This study will utilise an existing cohort of approximately 1500 Victorian adolescents followed since childhood to examine neglected aspects of the genesis and impacts of overweight and obesity. The Health of Young Victorians Study was originally assembled in 1997 when the children were in Grades Prep-3. In addition to information on putative risk and protective factors for overweight-obesity and direct measures of height and weight, it is unique in having collected data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) since children were first recruited during the early primary school years. Eight years after the first wave, the children will be adolescents in Grades 8-11. This third wave will retain a focus on HRQoL. Innovations include study of potential emotional, behavioural and physical consequences of childhood obesity that may in turn affect the natural history of obesity. This large, population-based longitudinal study will redress neglected aspects of child and adolescent overweight-obesity specifically identified in 2003 by the NH and MRC. As well as establishing whether a range of common problems are related to overweight-obesity, it will be able to shed light on mechanisms of adverse outcomes associated with adolescent overweight-obesity, and study protective factors predicting remitting overweight from childhood to adolescence that may inform preventive activities. The study will make an international contribution to knowledge about pathways, prevalence and preventive opportunities for child and adolescent overweight-obesity.Read moreRead less