Cindy Branch-Smith
Honorary Research Associate
BSc (Hons) PhD
cindy.branch-smith@thekids.org.au
+61 416 580 255
Dr Cindy Branch-Smith is an Honorary Research Associate with the Health Promotion and Education Research Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Her PhD studies explored parental experiences of early surveillance for CF lung disease and how parents cope with regimen. She now focusses on mental health for children and young people living with CF in the school context, which has resulted in the development of a smartphone app that will build resilience and promote social and emotional health in young people attending school. Dr Branch-Smith is also a Standards Monitor and Data Analyst for with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist with the Western Australian Government, where she monitors and investigates standards of psychiatric care across Western Australia.
Published research
Early disease surveillance in young children with cystic fibrosis: A qualitative analysis of parent experiences
Sensitive measures of early lung disease are being integrated into therapeutic trials and clinical practice in cystic fibrosis (CF). The impact of early disease surveillance (EDS) using these novel and often intensive techniques on young children and their families is not well researched.
Developing a smartphone application to support social connectedness and wellbeing in young people with cystic fibrosis
This study developed and tested a highly usable, and moderately acceptable, smartphone app to improve the psychosocial health of young people living with CF
Bullying and mental health amongst Australian children and young people with cystic fibrosis
This study describes the peer bullying experiences of young people with CF, and examines associations between school bullying and the psychological well-being of these young people
Protocol for a study of the psychosocial determinants of health in early childhood among children with cystic fibrosis
This protocol outlines the study aims to investigate the causal effect of psychosocial functioning, parenting and attachment on physical health outcomes in...
Protocol For Study Of Information Needs Of Parents Of Infants Newly Diagnosed With Cystic Fibrosis
This study aimed to investigate the information needs, priorities, and information-seeking behaviours of parents of infants newly diagnosed with CF.
Parental experiences of early pulmonary surveillance for children with cystic fibrosis: A research proposal for improved family psychosocial outcomes
The proposed study intends to explore parental experiences, including coping, related to their child's involvement in the early surveillance program.
Education and Qualifications
2016
PhD (Psychology)
Supervisors: Julie Ann Pooley, Tonia Douglas, Linda Shields, Stephen Stick
The Kids Research Institute Australia and School of Psychology and Social Science, Edith Cowan University
A resiliency perspective of the lived experience of parenting infants and young children with cystic fibrosis in the context of early lung disease surveillance
2009
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) First Class Honours
School of Psychology and Social Science
Edith Cowan University
Awards/Honours
2016 - Friends of the Institute International Travel Award
2015 - Edith Cowan University Travel Grant
2014 - Graduate Women of Western Australia Foundation Scholarship
2014 - Friends of the Institute International Travel Award
2014 - The Kids Research Institute Australia Student Travel Award
2013 - Friends of the Institute International Travel Award
2011 - Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship
2011 - Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia Top-up Award
Active Collaborations
Cystic Fibrosis Western Australia
Princess Margaret Hospital
Monash Children’s Hospital (Victoria)