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Research

The oral and written narrative language skills of adolescent students in youth detention and the impact of language disorder

Unmet language and literacy needs are common among young people who are involved with youth justice systems. However, there is limited research regarding the functional text-level language skills of this population with regard to narrative macrostructure (story grammar) and microstructure (semantics and syntax) elements. In this study, we examined macrostructure and microstructure elements in the oral and written narrative texts of 24 adolescent students of a youth detention centre. The students, who were aged 14- to 17- years, were all speakers of Standard Australian English, and 11 (46%) students met criteria for language disorder (LD).

Research

Comparison of stillbirth trends over two decades in Wales, United Kingdom and Western Australia: An international retrospective cohort study

Stillbirth is a critical public health issue worldwide. While the rates in high-income countries are relatively low, there are persistent between-country disparities. We compared stillbirth rates and trends in Wales and the State of Western Australia (WA), Australia, and provide insights into any differences.

Research

Comparing Web-Based Mindfulness With Loving-Kindness and Compassion Training for Promoting Well-Being in Pregnancy: Protocol for a Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Promoting psychological well-being and preventing distress among pregnant women is an important public health goal. In addition to adversely impacting the mother's health and well-being, psychological distress in pregnancy increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, compromises infant socioemotional development and bonding, and heightens maternal and child vulnerability in the postpartum period. Mindfulness and compassion-based interventions show potential for prevention and early intervention for perinatal distress.

Research

Validation of the Dutch version of the Multidimensional Adolescent Functioning Scale (MAFS)

The Multidimensional Adolescent Functioning Scale (MAFS) is a 23-item, self-report questionnaire assessing psychosocial functioning in adolescents aged 12-17 years. It captures three domains of functioning: 'general functioning', 'family-related functioning', and 'peer-related functioning'. The original English version has good psychometric properties. The aim of the current paper was to translate the MAFS to Dutch and to investigate the psychometric properties of this translation.

News & Events

Fellowship paves way for world-first LGBTQA+ suicide prevention initiative

Dr Penelope Strauss will use a prestigious Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Suicide Prevention Australia to develop and trial a world-first intervention.

News & Events

Trans Pathways researcher recognised as one of Australia’s Tomorrow Makers

Youth mental health researcher Penelope Strauss has been named an AMP Tomorrow Maker – the first researcher from The Kids Research Institute Australia to win one of the annual AMP Foundation grants.

Research

Building a culturally safe mental health system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

The impact of colonisation, genocide, and continuing discriminatory policies have created a context for ongoing disadvantage, trauma, and high rates of mental health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Research

Mindful Self-Compassion for LGBTQ youth: a multi-site randomized controlled trial

Amy Penelope Yael Zoe Larissa Finlay-Jones Strauss Perry Waters Marion BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clinical), MHealthEcon, PhD (Clin Psych) BA, MPH, PhD

Research

Rainbow Knowledge: Broome & Kununurra

Rainbow Knowledge: Broome & Kununurra is a First Nations led research project that aims to explore the perspectives, social emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and mental health experiences of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Asexual (LGBTQA+) or other sexually

Research

Sibling Stories: Improving the mental health of siblings of trans youth

Some studies indicate siblings of transgender (trans) and gender diverse young people often experience negative mental health impacts such as anxiety and depression due to complicated familial, individual and social factors associated with having a trans sibling.