Investigators
Dr Alix Woolard, Prof Helen Milroy AM, Assoc Prof Jeneva Ohan, Assoc Prof Kristin Gainey, Dr Pradeep Rao, Ms Lisa McGivern, Miss Grace Brown, Miss Nicole Wickens
Project description
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. For some parents, this distress can be severe and persist well beyond the period that their child is discharged from hospital. This is problematic not only for the parent themself, but also for the child. The negative impact that parents’ mental illness can have on a child is considerable, including physical and mental health problems, poor development and relationships, as well as behavioural and emotional problems.
This study will work with parents and experts in perinatal health to co-design the first trauma-informed parenting program in WA that aims to improve parent-infant relationships, family cohesion, and the social and emotional wellbeing of both parents and infants following a distressing event.
If you would like more information about this project, please contact Alix Woolard (Alix.Woolard@telethonkids.org.au) or Lisa McGivern (Lisa.McGivern@telethonkids.org.au)
Funding
Embrace @ The Kids Research Institute Australia, Seeding Grant