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Research

Bullying

Bullying is now regarded as a health problem and not just a disciplinary problem. Increasing evidence shows both traditional bullying (e.g. hitting, teasing) and cyberbullying have lasting effects on young people (both those who bully and those who are bullied), including damage to self-esteem, academic results and mental health.

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Effect of methylphenidate exposure on glutamate and glutamate-related metabolites in patients with ADHD: a systematic review

Dysfunctional glutamatergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the underlying pathogenesis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH), which is used as a first line treatment for ADHD, has been shown to have both acute and chronic effects on prefrontal cortex glutamatergic afferents. Animal studies have also identified an effect of MPH and glutamate in prefrontal areas. Despite this there are ongoing questions as to the extent and direction of this effect, as well as its impact on other neurobiological processes. 

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A group randomized controlled trial evaluating parent involvement in whole-school actions to reduce bullying

Whole-school capacity-building intervention in early and middle childhood can improve the likelihood and frequency of positive parent–child communication about bullying

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Has the Prevalence of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders in Australia Changed Between 1998 and 2013 to 2014?

This study examined whether the 12-month prevalence of major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder among 6- to 17-year-olds in Australia changed between 1998 and 2013 to 2014. It also investigated whether changes in the prevalence of disorders over this time varied for children living in families containing 2 parents versus single parents, and families with high versus low income.

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Variation in the prevalence of different forms of bullying victimisation among adolescents and their associations with family, peer and school connectedness: a population-based study in 40 lower and middle income to high-income countries (LMIC-HICs)

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different forms of bullying victimization experiences and their association with family functioning, peer relationships and school connectedness among adolescents across 40 lower and middle income to high-income countries (LMIC-HICs).

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What Works for Whom in School-Based Anti-bullying Interventions? An Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis

The prevalence of bullying worldwide is high (UNESCO, 2018). Over the past decades, many anti-bullying interventions have been developed to remediate this problem. However, we lack insight into for whom these interventions work and what individual intervention components drive the total intervention effects.

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Motivational interviewing as a positive response to high-school bullying

We provide a narrative review of Motivational Interviewing and map its core features onto the extant literature on self‐reported motivations for bullying

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Norm Misperception and Witnessing Bullying: The Role of Individual and Contextual Characteristics

Previous studies have shown that when young people witness bullying, perceived social norms of their peer group affect their behavior. However, few studies have examined the specificity of norm misperception (i.e., overestimation of peer antisocial responses and the underestimation of prosocial responses relative to the objective group norm) on specific witness responses (joining in, bystanding or active defending). 

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Telling an Adult at School about Bullying: Subsequent Victimization and Internalizing Problems

To prevent persistent victimization, schools and teachers need to be better equipped to respond effectively when a student first becomes a target of bullying

News & Events

Kids with ADHD struggling at school

A study by The Kids Research Institute Australia has found children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have significantly worse school outcomes.

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Correlates of Help-Seeking Behaviour in Adolescents Who Experience Bullying Victimisation

A commonly suggested strategy for addressing bullying is for victims to seek help from a trusted person. Despite this recommendation, there are a group of adolescent victims who choose not to seek help. This study aimed to identify factors associated with not seeking help among adolescents who experienced bullying victimisation.

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Strengthening student social and emotional wellbeing and preventing bullying behaviours: Insights from 20 years of Friendly Schools research in Australian schools.

Strong evidence supports our current understandings of student bullying behaviours and ways schools can prevent and respond effectively to bullying behaviour. In the late 1990’s, however, little was understood about the most effective ways to reduce bullying in Australian schools. In response to schools’ need for evidence-informed action, a pipeline of research called Friendly Schools was initiated in 1999 which for the past twenty years, has provided robust whole-school evidence-based knowledge and skills to support policy makers, school staff and other practitioners working in schools and families across Australia.

News & Events

New screening tool for FASD and ADHD in children

The Kids is trialling a new tool for earlier and easier screening of FASD and ADHD in children, using cutting-edge eye-tracking technology developed by the Kids Brain Health Network in Canada.

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Genome-Wide Analyses of Vocabulary Size in Infancy and Toddlerhood: Associations With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Literacy, and Cognition-Related Traits

The number of words children produce (expressive vocabulary) and understand (receptive vocabulary) changes rapidly during early development, partially due to genetic factors. Here, we performed a meta-genome-wide association study of vocabulary acquisition and investigated polygenic overlap with literacy, cognition, developmental phenotypes, and neurodevelopmental conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. 

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Early Intervention Delivery Methods for New Zealand Children with Autism: Current Practices Versus Parental Preferences

Little is known about parent preferences regarding delivery methods of early interventions. This research examined, through parent report, the current and preferred delivery methods of seven common educational early interventions accessed by New Zealand children with autism spectrum disorder.

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ADHD is associated with a "Western" dietary pattern in adolescents

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and ADHD in a population-based cohort of adolescents.

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Towards a molecular characterization of autism spectrum disorders: An exome sequencing and systems approach

This paper profiles the functional pattern of DNA variants found at a higher rate in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), X-linked intellectual...

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The increasing prevalence of reported diagnoses of childhood psychiatric disorders: a descriptive multinational comparison

The objective of this study is to compare the time trend of reported diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, hyperkinetic disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and...