On the Coast – Families Issue 94 I June/July 2018 | Page 39

Research explores parental influence
on baby development
B
aby development researchers
are recruiting Central Coast
parents for a new study examining
how infant development in the
critical first year of life is
influenced by parental wellbeing
and lifestyle factors.
Participation in ‘BabyMinds’ involves up
to three appointments, ideally starting
when the baby is just 6 weeks old then
again at 6 months and a year. The study
aims to help identify differences or
delays in babies’ development that can
potentially be remedied.
One of the project coordinators,
Carly Mallise, says there is little existing
research for such an early phase of
development.
“A number of conditions, such as
autism or ADHD, tend to be diagnosed
around four years of age – or even later
in life. By profiling developmental and
behavioural characteristics in infancy,
we may be able to pinpoint when
symptoms of these conditions begin to
emerge.” she explains.
“By doing so, we hope to inform early
intervention, which is key for improving
the likelihood of better child outcomes.”
Researchers film the interaction
between a mother – or father in some
cases – and baby to analyse the unique
way that parents communicate with
their child.
At six and twelve months, the
baby is placed in front of a computer
equipped with an eye-tracking camera.
Researchers can determine which part
of the screen the baby is focused on, to
determine functional aspects such as
attention span, problem-solving and
inhibition.
They also perform a Bayley
assessment of cognitive, language and
motor development, along with sensory
testing involving sight, hearing and
touch to see if the infant has processing
deficiencies.
“The variety of assessments we
conduct enables us to give parents a
written report, which provides details on
their baby’s development.” Ms Mallise,
a PhD candidate in Psychology at the
University of Newcastle, adds.
“We use toys and colourful cartoon
images across our assessments, so it’s
very fun and engaging for the babies.”
Researchers are also interested in
how mums cope caring for their babies,
screening them for postnatal depression
and parenting stress. Those struggling
with stress, or need support with their
wellbeing, are also provided with links to
follow-up services.
The study is looking for 250
mothers and babies. Testing is
conducted in the Family Interaction and
Neurodevelopmental Lab (FIND Lab) at
the Ourimbah campus of University of
Newcastle.
To find out more about BabyMinds
and participation in the study, please call
[phone] or email babymindstudy@
gmail.com. BabyMinds can also be found
on Facebook.
PhD students Olivia Whalen and Alix
Woolard are also involved in the study,
under the supervision of psychologist
Dr Linda Campbell, occupational
therapist Associate Professor Alison
Lane and neuroimaging specialist
Associate Professor Frini Karayanidis.
Masters student Briana Shailer, under
the supervision of Dr Campbell is also
involved in the Ourimbah based study.
*Carly Mallise researches in
conjunction with the Priority Research
Centre GrowUpWell. The Priority
Research Centre GrowUpWell focuses
on improving child health through
discovery and translational research that
generates measurable health impacts of
significance to our community.
AVOCA
NATUROPATH
Herbal Medicine
Nutrition
Fertility Management
Children’s Health
Wellness Programs
Diana Arundell UNIVERSITY QUALIFIED
118 Avoca Dr, Kincumber 2251
Phone [phone]
www.avocanaturopath.com.au
JUNE/JULY – ISSUE 94
39