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Senior Research Officer Tanika Sgherza is on the Healing Kids, Healing Families team.
The aim of this project is to develop and implement a culturally safe, responsive and trauma-informed parenting program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Having a newborn child admitted into a NICU can be highly traumatic for parents. The compounding effects of the NICU clinical environment, having a seriously ill child, in addition to the inability to care or adequately bond with your child can be extremely distressing.
Parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often make disclosure decisions about their child's ADHD on their behalf. While disclosure can facilitate access to support, it risks stigma. Despite ADHD being one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, little is known about parent's experiences in relating information about their child's ADHD diagnosis or medication use, to others.
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.
The prevalence of child and adolescent breakfast skipping is concerning, and limited existing evidence suggests an association between skipping breakfast and negative emotional wellbeing outcomes. However, positive emotional wellbeing outcomes have been neglected from research in this space.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a 'family illness'; diagnoses and management can be perceived as invasive or traumatic. Caregivers bear the brunt of the diagnostic shock, influencing their child's experience. Children and adolescents may grapple with the psychological effects of past/ongoing medical trauma. Additionally, adolescents may struggle with their mental health as they navigate tensions between caregiver involvement and their developmental need for autonomy.
Dissociative disorders in children and young adolescents are under-recognised and under-treated. Current diagnostic criteria rely on downward extensions of adult models and do not adequately consider developmental differences in younger populations. This reliance risks overlooking symptom patterns that may be unique in childhood, thereby perpetuating diagnostic gaps and delayed treatment.
Stigma towards individuals with mental health concerns is a global issue, including among young people at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. This study compared two written anti-stigma resources: (a) Education and (b) Lived Experience + Education, among young adults and parents/caregivers.
The construct of empowerment is associated with beneficial outcomes in numerous populations with well-being across multiple domains. Within families, empowerment has been found to be related to both parent and child well-being. As such, empowerment appears to be a promising concept to support parents of young (< 18 years) trans and gender diverse children and adolescents; however, what empowerment means for parents of trans children and adolescents is not known.