Building Resilience To Support Healthy Families And Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
This research investigates effects of social adversity on the health of parents and carers and their children. We will examine the effects of adversity on parents’ and carers’ physical and mental health, health behaviours and capacity to provide care for their children, and how in turn children’s health and development may be affected. We will then examine whether designing health services that are responsive to families specific needs and strengths may help to promote health and resilience.
Heritable And Environmental Determinants Of Hospitalisation For Common Childhood Illnesses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,238.00
Summary
This study will combine the unique and powerful resources of the Western Australian (WA) Data Linkage System and the WA Twin Register to disentangle the effects of genetics and the environment on the most common infectious causes of hospital admissions in children. It will highlight appropriate pathways to prevent such admissions in the future.
Fine Mapping Of Genes Underlying Asthma And Eosinophilia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$278,000.00
Summary
Asthma is the fourth most common chronic disease in Australia, and is increasing in incidence. Genetic factors are known to be important modifiers of disease risk, and several genes have been reported in the literature as being involved in either causing asthma or altering response to therapy. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and eosinophil count are two factors known to be increased in the blood of asthmatics. In two studies by our group, one of asthma in families, the other of healthy adolescent t ....Asthma is the fourth most common chronic disease in Australia, and is increasing in incidence. Genetic factors are known to be important modifiers of disease risk, and several genes have been reported in the literature as being involved in either causing asthma or altering response to therapy. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and eosinophil count are two factors known to be increased in the blood of asthmatics. In two studies by our group, one of asthma in families, the other of healthy adolescent twins, we showed these measures to be genetically linked to two different regions in the genome. Closer examination of these regions found several genes that might be responsible for the linkage. In the present study, we plan to test which of these candidate genes actually causes elevated IgE level or eosinophil count. The approach is to compare the frequency of a putative gene in a child expressing that phenotype to that in their parents. Each child receives one copy of a gene from the father, and one from the mother, making up a complete genotype (two possibly different versions or alleles of the gene). Since each parent transmitted only one allele to the child, the remaining allele from each parent can be used to create a normal control genotype, that is guaranteed to come from the same ethnic background as the asthmatic child. Therefore, we will collect replacement blood samples in those familes where all the previously DNA has been used up in our earlier study. We will extract DNA, and measure the genotypes of parents and children at the 6 genes in our two regions that we think most likely to be involved in eosinophil count or IgE level. This family based test will allow us to decide which genes are genuinely associated with asthma in our population. We will also test if these genes interact with other genes thought to be asthma risk factors. Identification of novel genes involved in asthma will help understand and ultimately treat this condition.Read moreRead less
Evaluating The Impact Of Work And Family Stressors On The Development Of Common Mental Disorders In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,042.00
Summary
Reducing the number of Australians with mental health problems is now a major priority for policy makers. This project targets young adults struggling with stressors in their work and family lives. The study will enhance our understanding of the work and family life experiences of 2000 young adults over a period 12 years (1999-2011) to find out how major life events such as relationship breakdown, having a baby, and losing your job, impact on the mental health of young Australians.
What Can Parents Do To Prevent Mental Health Problems In Their Teenage Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,905.00
Summary
Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect th ....Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect their child from these problems.Read moreRead less