research

population health studies of adolescents

summary

Our group addresses the major health problems that affect young Australians between the ages of 10-24 years. Our studies aim to understand the causes and consequences of these health problems and design the best strategies for preventing and treating them. Ultimately we look to influence health care and health policy locally, nationally and internationally.

group leader(s)

George Patton

Professor George Patton
Director of Adolescent Health Research
Centre for Adolescent Health
Level 2 East
Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville   VIC   3052

T  + 61 3 9345 6457
F  + 61 3 9345 6343
E  george.patton@rch.org.au

  group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: 2000 Stories

2000 Stories began in 1992 with the aim of understanding how different adolescent health problems come to cluster in individuals. The study then became concerned with the consequences of adolescent health problems in later life. In its latest form, the study is examining the consequence for the offspring of the study participants.

Students in Years 9 and 10 completed six surveys, six months apart. The surveys covered physical and mental health, sexual behaviours, drug and alcohol use, symptoms of eating disorder and other aspects of lifestyle relevant to health.  Participants were surveyed in 1998, 2002 and 2007 about their health, work, university studies, relationships, living arrangements and offspring.

The nine surveys collected valuable information about the participants' development over fifteen years. The findings have been widely published and information about cannabis use was highlighted in a US media campaign.

The information collected in 2000 Stories continues to inform government policies on public health. As survey participants and their families grow older, 2000 Stories has the unique opportunity to understand the long-lasting effects of adolescence on health, social adjustment and the well-being of future generations of Australians. visit the site

Project 2:. International Youth Development Study (IYDS)

The International Youth Development Study (IYDS) is a long-term study that looks at the development of both healthy and problem behaviours among young people in the state of Victoria and in Washington State in the United States of America. IYDS is one of the first studies designed to examine whether or not differences in Australian and American cultures and schools affect youth development.


Project 3:. The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS)

Profound changes take place as children move through puberty into adolescence.   This is a life phase in which an individual can achieve great health, fitness and cognitive skills.  It is also a life phase in which emotional problems and future health risks can emerge.  The CATS study is a new and unique longitudinal study of children in metropolitan Melbourne as they approach adolescence.  The study begins in 2012 and will follow over 2000 children from grade 3 (8-9 years of age). They will be visited once every year and we will also collect information from their parents and teachers. The main study focus is on physical health and emotional development through these middle years of school.  We will ask about the experiences of children and their families, their changing social context as they move into secondary school and their reactions to biological changes of puberty.  The research will help us identify when and how to promote the best health and emotional adjustment in pre-teens. More information on CATS can be found here.

Project 4: Staying Fit Project

Staying Fit is an online weight management program to encourage overweight adolescents to make healthy food choices and increase physical activity.  The program has been used successfully in the United States and we have modified it to make it suitable for young people in Australia. Personalised support for each individual is delivered after considering each adolescent's BMI, weight and shape concerns, and interests. There are specific "tracks" to fully address adolescents' risk circumstances, with different sub-tracks for those with or without body shape and weight concerns. The program takes approximately 1 hour per week for around 12 weeks.

The participants are asked to complete online questionnaires and have their height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference measured by a researcher at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-ups. Parents are also invited to complete questionnaires and are sent regular newsletters on how they can support their teenager. The results will demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of using the personalised, targeted Staying Fit program for addressing weight-related behaviours during adolescence.

 

team members

  • Rana Abou-Sinna - Research Assistant
  • Jane Adams - Interviewer
  • Anette Agardh - VISITING ACADEMIC
  • Alexandra Alipan - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Peter Azzopardi - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Sophie Barker - Research Assistant
  • Keshini Bartlett - Interviewer
  • Kristina Bennett - Research Manager
  • Andrew Blosfelds - Visiting Masters Student
  • Lyndal Bond - HONORARY FELLOW
  • David Broderick - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Sally Brookes - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Janelle Campbell - School Survey Assistant
  • Louise Canterford - Research Assistant
  • Karly Cini - Project Coordinator
  • Carolyn Coffey - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Diana Crocker - Administrative Assistant
  • Alexander Crooke - Research Assistant
  • Sarah Drew - HONORARY FELLOW MANAGER
  • Sarah Egan - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Rachel Ellis - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Tracy Evans-Whipp - Senior Research Officer
  • Izabela Fedyszyn - Interviewer
  • Nola Firth - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Amber Fougere - Project Coordinator
  • Anna Gorman - Interviewer
  • David Hallford - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Emma Halpin - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Stephen Hearps - Research Assistant/Data Analyst
  • Charlotte Hudson - Interviewer
  • Elizabeth Hughes - HONORARY FELLOW MANAGER
  • Jenny Hynson - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Sylvia Kauer - PhD Student (UoM Psych)
  • Alvin Lee - INTERVIEWER
  • Rachel Leung - Research Assistant
  • Suzanne Lipshut - Interviewer
  • Keri Little - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Jacqueline Macdonald - PhD UoM
  • Meaghan Maguire - Research Assistant
  • Dean Mckenzie - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Paulina Mech - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Amy Morton-Williams - INTERVIEWER
  • Josh Muller - Interviewer
  • Lisa Mundy - Project Officer
  • Christina O'Loughlin - Project Manager
  • Craig Olsson - Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Amber Osborn - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Vivek Rajan - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Janette Rees - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Sophie Reid - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Stephanie Romagnano - PhD Student (RMIT HlthSci)
  • Jessica Ryan - Interviewer
  • Charmaine Sambathkumar - RESEARCH AFFLIATE
  • Lena Sanci - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Susan Sawyer - GROUP LEADER / HONORARY FELLOW
  • Rachel Smith - PROJECT MANAGER
  • Anna Snell - SENIOR INTERVIEWER/SHIFT SUPERVISOR
  • Elizabeth Spry - Project Co-ordinator
  • Natasha Stoilov - PROJECT COORDINATOR
  • Jessica Synot - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Kate Templer - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Michelle Tollit - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Janet Tong - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • John Toumbourou - HONORARY FELLOW MANAGER
  • Alice Tsai - Interviewer
  • Friederike Veit - HONORARY FELLOW
  • Nandi Vijayakumar - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
  • Deborah Wagner - SENIOR INTERVIEWER/SHIFTSUPERVISOR
  • Aisha Williams - PROJECT ASSISTANT
  • Joanne Williams - Principle Research Fellow
  • Ian Williams - POST DOCTORAL FELLOW

publications

  • Badcock PB., Moore E., Williamson E., Berk M., Williams LJ., Bjerkeset O., Nordahl HM., Patton GC., Olsson CA. Modeling gene-environment interaction in longitudinal data: Risk for neuroticism due to interaction between maternal care and the Dopamine 4 Receptor gene (DRD4). AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 63 (1) : 18 - 25(2011)
  • Bamberg JH., Chiswell M., Toumbourou JW. Use of the Program Explication Method to Explore the Benefits of a Service for Homeless and Marginalized Young People. PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING 28 (2) : 140 - 149(2011) PubMed
  • Berk M., Johansson S., Wray NR., Williams L., Olsson C., Haavik J., Bjerkeset O. Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) and self reported depression: An association study from the HUNT. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS 131 (40603) : 207 - 213(2011) PubMed
  • Coomber K., Toumbourou JW., Miller P., Staiger PK., Hemphill SA., Catalano RF. Rural Adolescent Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Use: A Comparison of Students in Victoria, Australia, and Washington State, United States. Journal of Rural Health 27 (4) : 409 - 415(2011) PubMed
  • Degenhardt L., Singleton J., Calabria B., McLaren J., Kerr T., Mehta S., Kirk G., Hall WD. Mortality among cocaine users: A systematic review of cohort studies. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE 113 (40604) : 88 - 95(2011) PubMed
  • Gartland D., Bond L., Olsson CA., Buzwell S., Sawyer SM. Development of a multi-dimensional measure of resilience in adolescents: The Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire. BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (134) : 1 - 10(2011) PubMed
  • Gore FM., Bloem PJN., Patton GC., Ferguson J., Joseph V., Coffey C., Sawyer SM., Mathers CD. Global burden of disease in young people aged 10-24 years: a systematic analysis. LANCET 377 (9783) : 2093 - 2102(2011) PubMed
  • Hawkins MT., Letcher P., Sanson A., O'Connor M., Toumbourou JW., Olsson C. Stability and Change in Positive Development During Young Adulthood. JOURNAL OF YOUTH AND ADOLESCENCE 40 (11) : 1436 - 1452(2011) PubMed
  • Hemphill SA., Heerde JA., Herrenkohl TI., Patton GC., Toumbourou JW., Catalano RF. Risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use in Washington State, the United States and Victoria, Australia: A longitudinal study. Journal of Adolescent Health 49 (3) : 312 - 320(2011) PubMed
  • Hiscock H., Scalzo K., Canterford L., Wake M. Sleep duration and body mass index in 0-7-year olds. ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD 96 (735) : 739 (2011) PubMed
  • Kelly AB., Chan GC., Toumbourou JW., O'Flaherty M., Homel R., Patton GC., Williams J. Very young adolescents and alcohol: evidence of a unique susceptibility to peer alcohol use. Addictive behaviors 37 (4) : 414 - 9(2012) PubMed
  • Kelly AB., O'Flaherty M., Toumbourou JW., Connor JP., Hemphill SA., Catalano RF. Gender differences in the impact of families on alcohol use: a lagged longitudinal study of early adolescents. ADDICTION 106 (8) : 1427 - 1436(2011) PubMed
  • Kelly AB., O'Flaherty M., Toumbourou JW., Homel R., Patton GC., White A., Williams J. The influence of families on early adolescent school connectedness: evidence that this association varies with adolescent involvement in peer drinking networks. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 40 (3) : 437 - 47(2012) PubMed
  • Larance B., Degenhardt L., Lintzeris N., Winstock A., Mattick R. Definitions related to the use of pharmaceutical opioids: Extramedical use, diversion, non-adherence and aberrant medication-related behaviours. DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW 30 (3) : 236 - 245(2011) PubMed
  • Mason WA., Toumbourou JW., Herrenkohl TI., Hemphill SA., Catalano RF., Patton GC. Early Age Alcohol Use and Later Alcohol Problems in Adolescents: Individual and Peer Mediators in a Bi-National Study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 25 (4) : 625 - 633(2011) PubMed
  • Mathews RRS., Hall WD., Vos T., Patton GC., Degenhardt L. What are the major drivers of prevalent disability burden in young Australians?. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA 194 (5) : 232 - 235(2011) PubMed
  • McKenzie DP., Toumbourou JW., Forbes AB., Mackinnon AJ., McMorris BJ., Catalano RF., Patton GC. Predicting future depression in adolescents using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire: A two-nation study. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS : 338 (2011) PubMed
  • McKenzie M., Jorm AF., Romaniuk H., Olsson CA., Patton GC. Association of adolescent symptoms of depression and anxiety with alcohol use disorders in young adulthood: findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA 195 (3) (2011) PubMed
  • McMorris BJ., Catalano RF., Kim MJ., Toumbourou JW., Hemphill SA. Influence of family factors and supervised alcohol use on adolescent alcohol use and harms: Similarities between youth in different alcohol policy contexts. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 72 (3) : 418 - 428(2011) PubMed
  • Moore EE., Jayasinghe Y., Olsson CA., Romaniuk H., Sasongko V., Patton GC., Garland SM. Assessment of first sexual intercourse in young women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY 51 (3) : 276 - 279(2011) PubMed
  • Moran P., Coffey C., Romaniuk H., Olsson C., Borschmann R., Carlin JB., Patton GC. The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: A population-based cohort study. LANCET (2011)
  • Moran P., Coffey C., Romaniuk H., Olsson C., Borschmann R., Carlin JB., Patton GC. The natural history of self-harm from adolescence to young adulthood: a population-based cohort study. LANCET 379 (9812) : 236 - 43(2012) PubMed
  • Nilsen W., Olsson CA., Karevold E., O'Loughlin C., McKenzie M., Patton GC. Adolescent depressive symptoms and subsequent pregnancy, pregnancy completion and pregnancy termination in young adulthood: findings from the victorian adolescent health cohort study. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 25 (1) : 6 - 11(2012) PubMed
  • O'Connor M., Hawkins MT., Toumbourou JW., Sanson A., Letcher P., Olsson CA. The relationship between social capital and depression during the transition to adulthood. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 63 (1) : 26 - 35(2011)
  • Olsson CA., Moyzis RK., Williamson E., Ellis JE., Parkinson-Bates M., Patton GC., Dwyer T., Romaniuk H., Moore EE. Gene-environment interaction in problematic substance use : interaction between DrD4 and insecure attachments. Addiction Biology (2011)
  • Olsson CA., Moyzis RK., Williamson E., Ellis JE., Parkinson-Bates M., Patton GC., Dwyer T., Romaniuk H., Moore EE. Gene-environment interaction in problematic substance use: interaction between DRD4 and insecure attachments. Addiction Biology (2011) PubMed
  • Patton GC. MOVING BEYOND THE GRASS CEILING. ADDICTION 106 (2) : 246 - 247(2011) PubMed
  • Patton GC., Coffey C., Cappa C., Currie D., Riley L., Gore F., Degenhardt L., Richardson D., Astone N., Sangowawa AO., Mokdad A., Ferguson J. Health of the world's adolescents: a synthesis of internationally comparable data. LANCET 379 (9826) : 1665 - 75(2012) PubMed
  • Patton GC., Coffey C., Carlin JB., Sawyer SM., Williams J., Olsson CA., Wake M. Overweight and obesity between adolescence and young adulthood: a 10-year prospective cohort study. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine 48 (3) : 275 - 80(2011) PubMed
  • Patton GC., Tollit MM., Romaniuk H., Spence SH., Sheffield J., Sawyer MG. A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks. PEDIATRICS 127 (2) : 308 - 316(2011) PubMed
  • Reid SC., Kauer SD., Hearps SJ., Crooke AH., Khor AS., Sanci LA., Patton GC. A mobile phone application for the assessment and management of youth mental health problems in primary care: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Family Practice 12 (131) (2011) PubMed
  • Resnick MD., Catalano RF., Sawyer SM., Viner R., Patton GC. Seizing the opportunities of adolescent health. LANCET 379 (9826) : 1564 - 7(2012) PubMed
  • Sanderson K., Patton GC., McKercher C., Dwyer T., Venn AJ. Overweight and obesity in childhood and risk of mental disorder: a 20-year cohort study. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 45 (5) : 384 - 392(2011) PubMed
  • Sawyer SM., Afifi RA., Bearinger LH., Blakemore SJ., Dick B., Ezeh AC., Patton GC. Adolescence: a foundation for future health. LANCET 379 (9826) : 1630 - 40(2012) PubMed
  • Swith W., Coffey C., Degenhardt L., Carlin JB., Romaniuk H., Patton GC. Cannabis and progression to other substance use in young adults: findings from a 13-year prospective population-based study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2011) PubMed
  • Toumbourou JW., Williams I., Letcher P., Sanson A., Smart D. Developmental trajectories of internalising behaviour in the prediction of adolescent depressive symptoms. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 63 (4) : 214 - 223(2011)
  • Ukoumunne OC., Wake M., Carlin J., Bavin EL., Lum J., Skeat J., Williams J., Conway L., Cini E., Reilly S. Profiles of language development in pre-school children: a longitudinal latent class analysis of data from the Early Language in Victoria Study. CHILD CARE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT (2011) PubMed
  • van Eekelen JAM., Olsson CA., Ellis JA., Ang W., Hutchinson D., Zubrick SR., Pennell CE. Identification and genetic determination of an early life risk disposition for depressive disorder: Atypical stress-related behaviour in early childhood. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 63 (1) : 6 - 17(2011)
  • Viner RM., Coffey C., Mathers C., Bloem P., Costello A., Santelli J., Patton GC. 50-year mortality trends in children and young people: a study of 50 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. LANCET 377 (9772) : 1162 - 1174(2011) PubMed
  • Wake M., Canterford L., Hardy P., Ukoumunne OC. At what BMI are parents of pre-schoolers concerned? National cross-sectional study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OBESITY 6 (499) : 501 (2011) PubMed
  • Williams JW., Canterford L., Hesketh KD., Hardy P., Waters EB., Patton GC., Wake M. Changes in body mass index and health related quality of life from childhood to adolescence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OBESITY 6 (40576) (2011) PubMed