Publications

This study explored whether exposure to either an ‘ambiguous consumption’ prototype (no amount of alcohol specified) or a ‘small consumption’ prototype (‘small’ amount of alcohol specified) had an impact on prototype perceptions of, and willingness to use, small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy.

Research has suggested that information communicated by public health and industry-funded organizations differ, as organizations linked to industry have tended to downplay risks with alcohol more broadly and pregnancy specifically. This study describes communication of health risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy on Twitter by Australian-based organizations and stakeholders. 

This study sought to determine data collection approaches in Australian cohort studies and explore the potential impact on reported prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) prevalence and patterns. PAE prevalence was estimated as 48% (95% CI: 38 to 57%). Use of trained assessors was an influencing factor of the prevalence estimates when data were collected via interview. Alcohol-focused studies reported higher prevalence of PAE, regardless of method of survey administration. Where interviewer training is not possible, self-administered questionnaires was found most likely provide the most reliable PAE estimates.

This study published in 2021 explored the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and associated stressors in individuals with FASD; compared the ACEs profiles of those who had been involved with the child protection system only, justice system only, both or neither; examined the relationship between ACEs and comorbid conditions such as mood and neurodevelopmental disorders.

This study evaluated the use of the Model of Engaging Communities Collaboratively (MECC) to guide the Jandu Yani U (For All Families) project, in which the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program was collaboratively adapted for use in very remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

The Australian Child Rights Taskforce considers the mistreatment and over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in youth detention to be a national crisis that requires urgent action. In 2020, the unequal positioning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia was shown by an incarceration rate that was 17 times higher than the incarceration rates of Australian youth of all other ethnicities combined. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent only 6% of the Australian population aged 10–17 years, each day, on average they comprised 48% of those in youth detention. From age 10 years, the most vulnerable and marginalised young people in Australia, many with complex physical and mental health needs, disability needs, and social needs, are criminalised, punished, and removed from their family and community during crucial stages of their development.