Current Research Projects

1. Emotion in parenting and child behaviour problems, M. Mence (USYD), D. Hawes (USYD) & Karitane Toddler Clinic staff
This study will investigate the cognitive and emotional dimensions of parenting which influence parent-child interactions and early childhood behaviour problems. Parents’ perceptions of children’s negative emotions will be explored, as will the relationship of these perceptions to parenting style, parents’ management of their own emotions, and the treatment of child behaviour problems.

2. Toddler biology and behaviour, D. Hawes (USYD), B. Barnett (Karitane) & Karitane Toddler Clinic staff
This study will examine characteristics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a brain region which has been implicated in the development of behavioural problems. The research will identify important links between HPA-axis function, parenting practices and family environment, and features of disruptive behaviour problems in toddlers.

3. Personality disorders and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), S. Matthey (SSWAHS), R. Crncec (SSWAHS), B. Barnett (Karitane), M. Stuchbery (Karitane)
This study aims to (a) provide empirical evidence on whether women scoring high on the EPDS are more likely to have a 'borderline personality disorder' than women scoring in the moderate range on the EPDS; (b) report the rate of women scoring in the severe range on the EPDS who also have a borderline personality disorder.

4. The perinatal journey: The process and impact of psychosocial assessment, V. Schmied (UWS), L. Kemp (CHETRE), T. Covic (UWS), B. Barnett (Karitane), R. Mills (Karitane), D. Nemeth (Karitane), M. Hughes (Karitane)
Australian governments are recommending all pregnant women and new mothers be assessed for psychosocial risk factors. This study will examine the process and impact of psychosocial assessment. It will capture for the first time the dynamics of the interaction and approach needed to engage women.

5. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families with children aged 15-24 months, J. Phillips (Karitane), S. Morgan (Karitane) and Karitane Toddler Clinic staff
PCIT has a well established evidence base for children aged 2-7 years, however the Karitane Toddler Clinic applies a modified version of PCIT to families with children as young as 15 months. This project will examine the effectiveness of PCIT delivered to families with toddlers aged 15–24 months.

6. Maternal separation anxiety, parenting and infant behaviour, J. Phillips (Karitane), B. Barnett (Karitane) & V. Eapen (SSWAHS)
This study will provide important new information about the prevalence, nature, co-morbidities and associated outcomes of maternal separation anxiety in a postnatal population, recruited from the Karitane Residential Unit.

7. The place of Volunteer Home Visiting (VHV) services in a continuum of early childhood prevention and intervention strategies in NSW, T. Burnstock (UNSW), B. Cass (UNSW), N. Cortis (UNSW)
Given the broad range of early intervention and prevention services for families with young children in NSW, this project will seek to discover what may be unique to Volunteer Home Visiting services.

8. Evaluation of the Karitane Family Care Centres, J. Phillips (Karitane) & T. Burnstock (Karitane)
This project evaluated the Karitane Randwick and Liverpool Family Care Centre (FCC) programs. Specific aims were to evaluate consumer satisfaction and clinical outcomes for clients receiving treatment at the centres.

Publications
Nemeth, D. & Sinclair, A. (2004). An example of evidence based practice: Ceasing head elevation in the management of infant Gastro Oesophageal Reflux (GOR). The Australian Journal of Child and Family Health Nursing, 1(1), 11-13.

Phillips, J., Sharpe, L. & Matthey, S. (2007). Rates of depressive and anxiety disorders in a residential mother-infant unit for unsettled infants. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41, 836-842.

Phillips, J., Morgan, S., Cawthorne, K. & Barnett, B. (2008). Pilot evaluation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) delivered in an Australian community early childhood clinic Setting. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42, 712-719.

Stuchbery, M., Phillips, J. & Barnett, B. (2008). Jade House: A perinatal mood disorders day unit in South Western Sydney. The Journal of the Child and Family Health Nurses Association (NSW), 9 (1), 13-15.

Nemeth, D. (2008). Learning and working together: The benefits of embracing a multidisciplinary approach to family partnership training. The Journal of the Child and Family Health Nurses Association (NSW), 19 (2), 5-8.

Matthey, S., McGregor, K. & Ha, M. (2008). Developing partner awareness and empathy in new parents: The Great Parents’ Quiz. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 10 (3), 5-16.

Crncec, R., Barnett, B. & Matthey, S. (2008). Development of an Instrument to Assess Perceived Self-Efficacy in the Parents of Infants, Research in Nursing & Health, 31, 442-453.

Priest, S., Barnett, B. (2008). Perinatal anxiety and depression: Issues, outcomes and interventions. In: A. Sved Williams and V. Cowling (Eds). Infants of parents with mental illness. Chapter 3. Queensland: Australian Academic Press.

Milgrom, J., Gemmill, A. W., Bilszta, J. L., Hayes, B., Barnett, B., Brooks, J., Ericksen, J., Ellwood, D., Buist, A. (2008). Antenatal risk factors for postnatal depression: a large prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 108, 147-157.

McMahon, C., Trapolini, T., Barnett, B. (2008). Maternal state of mind regarding attachment predicts persistence of postnatal depression in the preschool years. Journal of Affective Disorders, 107, 199-203.

Matthey, S., Speyer, J. (2008). Changes in unsettled infant sleep and maternal mood following admission to a parentcraft residential unit. Early Human Development, 84, 623-629.

Phillips, J., Charles, M., Sharpe, L. & Matthey, S. (2009). Validation of the subscales of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in a sample of women with unsettled infants. Journal of Affective Disorders, 118, 101-112.

Phillips, J., Sharpe, L., Matthey, S. & Charles, M. (2009). Maternally focused worry. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 12, 409-418.

Phillips, J., Sharpe, L., Matthey, S. & Charles, M. (2010). Subtypes of postnatal depression? A comparison of women with recurrent and de novo postnatal depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 120, 67–75.

Phillips, J., Sharpe, L. & Nemeth, D. (2010). Maternal psychopathology and outcomes of a residential mother-infant intervention for unsettled infant behaviour. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44, 280-289.

Crncec, R., Matthey, S. & Nemeth, D. (2010). Infant sleep problems and emotional health: A review of two behavioural approaches. The Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 28 (1), 44-54.

Nemeth, D. (2010). Cariing for our future: Exploring the possibilities for parenting education to bring about positive change for working mothers with young children. The Journal of the Child and Family Health Nurses Association (NSW), 21 (1), 4-10.

In house publications/reports
Crncec, R., Barnett, B., & Matthey, S. (2008). Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale: Manual. Karitane. Sydney: Australia.

Phillips, J., Burnstock, T., Nemeth, D. (2009). Adolescent Mothers in Custody: Linking to a new future for families. Evaluation Report. Karitane. Sydney: Australia.

Phillips, J. & Burnstock, T. (2010). Evaluation of the Karitane Family Care Centres. Karitane. Sydney: Australia.

Contact
For more information, please contact:
Dr Jane Phillips
Karitane Research Coordinator
Jane.Phillips@sswahs.nsw.gov.au