Research Findings & Publications

  • The Major Antenatal Risk factors for Postnatal Depression in Australia have now been clearly identified

In this paper recently published by the prestigious Journal of Affective Disorders, we report on what is probably the largest and most demographically comprehensive study of its kind yet conducted anywhere in the world. The relative importance of dozens of psychosocial risk factors have been determined on a sample of 40,333 women. Individual risk factors of unique importance have been partialled out. Among the novel findings in this substantial piece of work, is the first quantification of the risk of perinatal depression for Indigenous Australians.
Reference
Milgrom, J., Gemmill, A.W., Bilszta, J.L., Hayes, B., Barnett, B., Brooks, J., Ericksen, J., Ellwood, D. & Buist, A. (2007). Antenatal risk factors for postnatal depression: a large prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 108 (1-2), 147-157


  • Acceptability of Screening for PND

We have published 3 articles in this area. Well-informed Cost-Utility decisions about healthcare screening procedures require several crucial pieces of information including information on the acceptability to patients. This longstanding and important gap in research into perinatal depression screening was addressed comprehensively by the following papers:
References
Leigh, B & Milgrom, J. (2007). Acceptability of Antenatal Screening for Depression in Routine Antenatal Care. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24 (3), 14-18. (Funded by beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence)
Gemmill, A.W., Leigh, B., Ericksen, J. & Milgrom, J. (2006). A Survey of the Clinical Acceptability of Screening for Postnatal Depression in Depressed and Non-depressed Women. BioMed Central Public Health, 6, 211.
Buist, A., Condon, J., Brooks, J., Speelman, C., Milgrom, J., Hayes, B., Ellwood, D., Barnett, B., Kowalenko, N., Matthey, S., Austin, M-P. & Bilszta, J. (2006). Acceptability of Routine Screening for Postnatal Depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 93: 233-237.
PIRI has had a longstanding interest in community screening for perinatal depression. Whilst around 10% of women will experience perinatal depression, the majority do not seek help.


  • Depression and the Stress of Parenthood

With this paper, we are the first researchers to show that even when PND is treated effectively, this does not reverse the accompanying stress that mediates many of the negative effects of PND on the mother-infant relationship and ultimately infant development.
Reference
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., McCarthy, R.M. & Gemmill, A.W. (2006). Stressful impact of depression on early mother-infant relations. Stress and Health, 22 229-238.


  • Psychological Treatment of PND is Effective

This paper was an RCT comparing cognitive therapy with less specialized psychological interventions. All were demonstrated as superior to conventional routine care. There are relatively few such studies and this one had the added strengths of a broad community sample, formal clinical diagnosis of depression, manualised interventions and well-validated rating instruments.
Reference
Milgrom, J., Negri, L.M., Gemmill, A.W., McNeil, M. & Martin, P.R. (2005). A Randomised Controlled Trial of Psychological Interventions for Postnatal Depression. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44 (4), 529-542.Milgrom, J.,


  • Reliable Identification of PND

Before this paper there had been large screening studies of PND on the one hand and there had been validation studies for PND screening tools on the other. This was the first study to validate a widely used tool in a large representative Australian population against gold-standard diagnostic criteria.
Reference
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J.E., Negri, L., & Gemmill, A.W. (2005). Screening for Postnatal Depression in Routine Primary Care: Properties of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in an Australian Sample. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39(8), 745-751.


  • Focus Groups

Women’s experience of depression and barriers to seeking help
This qualitative project was a series of focus groups with women who had been experiencing depression and it concentrated on their acknowledgement of the condition and their journey towards recovery. This is a population that has been shown to be very difficult to engage in services. Of particular relevance were their attitudes and beliefs about their diagnosis and their perceived barriers to care which
provide new insight into service design and delivery for women with depression.
Reference
Submitted to Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing for publication
Bilszta, J., Ericksen, J., Buist, A., Milgrom, J. 2009. Exploring the lived experiences of women with postnatal depression: a qualitative study.


  • Beautiful Beginnings

Early Intervention to Facilitate Brain Development in Preterm Infants
The neourological development of premature infants is severely compromised leading to a high prevalence of long-term neurobehavioural problems. In this work we showed that training parents to minimize stress on their premature neonates results in significant enhancements of early brain development, which are observable on cranial MRI scans. Specifically, white matter microstructure and connectivity were improved by this early intervention.
Reference
Milgrom, J., Newnham, C., Anderson, P.J., Doyle,L.W. Gemmill, A.W., Lee, K., Hunt, R.W., Bear, M., & Inder, T. Early Sensitivity Training for Parents of Preterm Infants: Impact on the Developing Brain Submitted to Pediatric Research.

  • Development and Feasibility Study of the Towards Parenthood Program

This paper describes the development and feasibility study of the Towards Parenthood Program: A monitored self-help antenatal intervention to enhance emotional health and reduce parenting stress. Click here to download.
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Leigh, B., Romeo, Y., Loughlin, E., McCarthy, R., Saunders, B., Ramp, M., Gemmill, A. W., Ross, J., & Schembri, C. (2010). Development and Feasibility Study of a Monitored Self-Help Antenatal Intervention Program to Enhance Emotional Health and Reduce Parenting Stress.


Publications over the last five years:
Skouteris, H., McCabe, M., Ricciardelli, L., Milgrom, J., Baur, L.A., Aksan, N. & Dell’aquila, D. (2011). Parent - Child Interactions and Obesity Prevention: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Early Child Development and Care (Epub ahead of print: doi: 10-1080/03004430.210.548606).

Skouteris, H., Hartley-Clark, L., McCabe, M., Milgrom, J., Kent, B., Herring, S. & Gale, J. (2010). Preventing excessive gestational weight gain: A systematic review of interventions. Obesity Reviews, 11, 757-768.

Milgrom, J., Schembri, C., Ericksen, J., Ross, J., & Gemmill, A. (2011). Towards Parenthood: An Antenatal Intervention to Reduce Depression, Anxiety and Parenting Difficulties. Journal of Affective Disorders, 130(3), 385-394.

Milgrom, J, Mendelsohn, J, Gemmill, AW (2010). "Does Postnatal Depression Screening Work? Throwing out the Bathwater, Keeping the Baby." Journal of Affective Disorders (Epub ahead of print: doi:10.1016/j.jad.2010.09.031).

Forsyth, C., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (In Press). "Men’s emotional responses to their partner’s pregnancy and their views on support and information received." The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Accepted 24/08/10).

Wee, K.Y., Skouteris, H., Pier, C., Richardson, B., & Milgrom, J. (2011). Correlates of depressive symptoms in fathers pre- and post birth: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 130(3), 358-377.

Mulcare, H, Schofield, P., Kashima, Y. Milgrom, J. Wirth, A. Bishop, M. & Wheeler, G. (2011). Adjustment to Cancer and the Information Needs of People with Lung Cancer. Psycho-Oncology 20, 488-496.

Bilszta, J., Ericksen, J., Buist, A. & Milgrom, J. (2010). Women’s experience of postnatal depression – beliefs and attitudes as barriers to care. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 27 (3), 44-54.

Kamysheva, E., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2010). A Prospective Investigation of the Relationships among Sleep Quality, Physical Symptoms and Depressive Symptoms during Pregnancy. Journal of Affective Disorders, 123, 317-320.

Bei, B., Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J. & Trinder, J. (2010). Subjective Perception of Sleep, but not its Objective Quality, is Associated with Mood Disturbances Immediately Postpartum in Healthy Women. Sleep, 33 (4), 531-538.

Milgrom, J., Newnham, C., Anderson, P., Doyle, L.W., Gemmill, A.W. Lee, K., Hunt, R., Bear, M. & Inder, T. (2010). Early Sensitivity Training for Parents of Preterm Children: Impact on the Developing Brain. Pediatric Research, 67(3):330-335.

Moss, K., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E., Paxton, S., & Milgrom, J. (2009). Depressive and anxiety symptoms through late pregnancy and the first year post birth: An examination of prospective relationships. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 12, 345-349.

Kamysheva, E., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2009). A Prospective Investigation of the Relationships among Sleep Quality, Physical Symptoms and Depressive Symptoms during Pregnancy. Journal of Affective Disorders, 123, 317-320.

Bei, B., Milgrom, J., Erickson, J. & Trinder, J. (2010). Subjective Perception of Sleep, but not its Objective Quality, is Associated with Mood Disturbances Immediately Postpartum in Healthy Women. Sleep, 33(4), 531-538.

Newnham, C., Inder T. & Milgrom, J. (2009). Measuring Preterm Cumulative Stressors within the NICU: The Neonatal Infant Stress Scale. Early Human Development, 85(9):549-55.

Clark, A., Skouteris, H, Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2009). The Relationship between Depression and Body Dissatisfaction across Pregnancy and the Postpartum: A Prospective Study. Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 23-31.

Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E., Germano, C., Paxton, S., & Milgrom, J. (2009). Assessing sleep during pregnancy: A study across two Time points examining the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and associations with depressive symptoms. Women’s Health Issue, 19, 45-51.

Clark, A., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E., Paxton, S., & Milgrom, J. (2009). My baby body: A qualitative insight into women’s body-related experiences and mood during pregnancy and the postpartum. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 27, 330-345.

Newnham, C.A., Milgrom, J. & Skouteris, H. (2009). Effectiveness of a Modified Mother-Infant Transaction Program on Outcomes for Infants from 3 to 24 Months of Age. Journal of Infant Behavior and Development, 32 (1), 17-26.

Kamysheva, K., Wertheim, E., Skouteris, H., Paxton, S., & Milgrom, J. (2009). Frequency, Severity and Effect on Life of Physical Symptoms Experienced during Pregnancy. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 13, 497-509.

Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E., Rallis, S., Milgrom, J. & Paxton, S. (2009). Depression and Anxiety through Pregnancy and the Early Postpartum: An Examination of Prospective Relationships. Journal of Affective Disorders, 113 (3), 303-8.

Zammit, S.L., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2008). Pregnant Women’s Alcohol Consumption: The Predictive Utility of Intention to Drink and Pre-Pregnancy Drinking Behaviour. Journal of Women’s Health, 17 (9), 1513-1522.

Leigh, B. & Milgrom, J. (2008). Risk Factors for Antenatal Depression, Postnatal Depression and Parenting Stress. Biomed Central Psychiatry, 8, 24.

Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Rallis, S., Paxton, S. J., Kelly, L. & Milgrom, J. (2008) Use of Complimentary and Alternative Medicines by a Sample of Australian Women During Pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 48, 384-390.

Skouteris, H., Germano, C., Wertheim E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2008). Sleep Quality and Depression during Pregnancy: A Prospective Study. Journal of Sleep Research, 17, 217-220.

Kamysheva, E., Skouteris, H., Wertheim, E.H., Paxton, S.J. & Milgrom, J. (2008). Examination of a Multi-Factorial Model of Body-Related Experiences During Pregnancy: The Relationship among Physical Symptoms, Sleep Quality, Depression, Self-Esteem and Negative Body Attitudes. Body Image: An International Journal of Research, 5 (2), 152-163.

Buist, A., Austin, M-P, Hayes, B., Speelman, C., Bilszta, J., Gemmill, A.W., Brooks, J., Ellwood, D., & Milgrom, J. (2008). Postnatal Mental Health of Women Giving Birth in Australia 2002-2004: Findings from the beyondblue National Postnatal Depression Program. ANZ Journal of Psychiatry, 42(1), 66-73.

Bilszta, J., Tang, M., Meyer, D., Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J. & Buist, A. (2008). Single motherhood versus poor partner relationship: outcomes of antenatal mental health. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42(1), 56-65.

Buist, A., Speelman, C., Hayes, B., Reahy, R., Milgrom, J. Meyer, D. & Condon, J. (2007). Impact of Education on Women with Perinatal Depression. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 28 (1), 49-54).

Buist, A., Ellwood, D., Brooks, J., Milgrom, J., Hayes, B.A., Sved-Williams, A., Barnett, B., Karatas, J. & Bilszta, J. (2007). National Program for Depression Associated with Childbirth: The Australian Experience. Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 21(2), 193-206.

Buist, A., Bilszta, J., Milgrom, J., Barnett, B., Hayes, B. & Austin, M-P. (2006). Health Professional’s Knowledge and Awareness of Perinatal Depression: Results of a National Survey. Women and Birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 19(1), 11-16.

Buist, A., Bilszta, J., Barnett, B., Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Condon, J., Hayes, B. & Brooks, J. (2005). Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression in General Practice: A Survey of GPs and Postnatal Women. Australian Family Physician, 34 (9), 787-790.

Ericksen, J., Bliszta, J.L.C., Buist, A.E., Milgrom, J., Barnett, B., Condon, J., Hayes, B. & Pope, S. (2004). The National Postnatal Depression Program – Enhancing the quality of GP & perinatal service partnerships. Infant Mental Health Journal, 24 (Supplement 6A), 357. (Funded by beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence)

Milgrom, J., Westley, D.T. & Gemmill, A.W. (2004). The Mediating Role of Maternal Responsiveness in some Longer-term Effects of Postnatal Depression on Infant Development. Infant Behavior & Development, 27, 443-454.

Buist, A., Morse, C.A., Durkin, S. & Milgrom, J. (2004). "Metropolitan Regional Differences in Primary Health Care of Postnatal Depression." Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 21(3), 20-27.