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The Human Development and Community Wellbeing Team conducts research across the lifespan from conception, childhood, and youth to adulthood and the social determinants that impact and influence outcomes. The team’s focus is on the broader life course of individuals and communities within the family, school, and online environments, and includes economic evaluation of programs and outcomes.
News & Events
Survey finds parents don’t always know if their kids are struggling emotionallyAs a parent of two teenage daughters, I like to think I know what's going on in their lives and how they are feeling.
Research
Early mental health morbidity and later smoking at age 17 yearsWe examined the relationship between the onset and pattern of childhood mental health disorders and subsequent current smoking status at age 17 years.
Research
Severity and persistence of asthma and mental health: a birth cohort studyThe goal of the current study was to investigate asthma and mental health among youth in the community.
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Antecedents of hospital admission for deliberate self-harm from a 14-year follow-up study using data-linkageA prior episode of deliberate self-harm (DSH) is one of the strongest predictors of future completed suicide. Identifying antecedents of DSH may inform strategi
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Evidence of a complex association between dose, pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and child behaviour problemsThere is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of dose, pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and behaviour problems in children aged 2 years.
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Identification and genetic determination of an early life risk disposition for depressive disorder:Progress in psychiatric genetics has been slow despite evidence of high heritability for most mental disorders
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A Review of Self-Compassion as an Active Ingredient in the Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Young PeoplePrevious meta-analyses have found higher self-compassion is associated with lower anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of self-compassion as an active ingredient in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in youth. This was conducted through (i) a systematic review of the literature and (ii) qualitative consultation with young people and researchers in self-compassion.
Research
Harmonization of SDQ and ASEBA Phenotypes: Measurement Variance Across CohortsHarmonizing the scores obtained by different instruments that measure the same construct enable researchers to combine them in one analysis. An important step in harmonization is checking whether there is measurement invariance across populations.
Research
Trauma-informed prevention programmes for depression, anxiety, and substance use among young people: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic reviewMental ill-health and substance use bear a substantial burden and harm on young people and often arise from co-occurring and compounding risk factors, such as traumatic stress. Trauma-informed prevention of mental ill-health and substance use demonstrates significant promise in reducing this burden.