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Dr Monique Robinson

NHMRC Early Career Fellow

Monique Robinson

Honorary Team Member

PhD MPsych (Clin) MAPS

monique.robinson@telethonkids.org.au

she/her/hers

Dr Monique Robinson completed PhD and MPsych (Clinical) degrees at The University of Western Australia. Monique is currently an NHMRC Early Career Fellow at The Kids Research Institute Australia and a registered psychologist working in the field of perinatal, child and adolescent mental health.

Monique's primary research focus has been on the relationships between parents and children and in particular how maternal stress and other lifestyle factors impact child and adolescent mental health. Monique has over 50 publications in this area, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and government reports. Monique regularly advocates for child and adolescent mental health in the media and her columns on The Conversation website have been republished worldwide with over 1.5m readers.

Projects

Raine Study - Senses Special Interest Group

Published research

Risk of otitis media in offspring following maternal prenatal stress exposure

There is limited but consistent evidence that suggests prenatal factors, including maternal stress, may contribute to susceptibility for otitis media. We aimed to determine the effect of multiple life stress events during pregnancy on risk of acute and recurrent otitis media in offspring at three and five years of age. 

A hospital-based asynchronous ENT telehealth service for children with otitis media: Cost-minimisation and improved access

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a hospital-based asynchronous ear, nose, and throat telehealth service (the Ear Portal) in reducing cost and improving access for children with otitis media.

Joint developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing problems from mid-childhood to late adolescence and childhood risk factors: Findings from a prospective pre-birth cohort

There is limited evidence on heterogenous co-developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing problems from childhood to adolescence and predictors of these joint trajectories. We utilized longitudinal data from Raine Study participants to identify these joint trajectories from 5 to 17 years using parallel-process latent class growth analysis and analyze childhood individual and family risk factors predicting these joint trajectories using multinomial logistic regression.

The Impact of Waiting Times on Behavioral Outcomes for Children with Otitis Media: Results from an Urban Ear, Nose, and Throat Telehealth Service

Children with otitis media (OM) experience long waiting times to access Australia's public hospitals due to limited capacity. The aim of this article is to utilize an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) telehealth service (the Ear Portal) to examine whether delayed access to specialist care is associated with poorer behavioral outcomes for children with OM.

Recurrent otitis media and behaviour problems in middle childhood: A longitudinal cohort study

To investigate the long-term effects of early-life recurrent otitis media (OM) and subsequent behavioural problems in children at the age of 10 years.

Impact of ventilation tube insertion on long-term language outcomes at 6 and 10 years of age: A prospective pregnancy cohort study

Investigating the impact of early childhood ventilation tube insertion (VTI) on long-term language outcomes. 

Do parent-reported early indicators predict later developmental language disorder? A Raine Study investigation

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions. Due to variable rates of language growth in children under 5 years, the early identification of children with DLD is challenging. Early indicators are often outlined by speech pathology regulatory bodies and other developmental services as evidence to empower caregivers in the early identification of DLD.

The Impact of Early-Life Recurrent Otitis Media in Children on the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers

Children with early-life recurrent otitis media (OM) will often endure pain, sleep disturbances, and other developmental setbacks that impact the surrounding family system. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological well-being and family functioning of caregivers of children with early-life recurrent OM (rOM).

The association between otitis media in early childhood with later behaviour and attention problems: A longitudinal pregnancy cohort

The present study aims to investigate the association between an early history of recurrent otitis media (OM) with or without ventilation tube insertion and later behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence.

How we measure language skills of children at scale: A call to move beyond domain-specific tests as a proxy for language

The aim of this research note is to encourage child language researchers and clinicians to give careful consideration to the use of domain-specific tests as a proxy for language; particularly in the context of large-scale studies and for the identification of language disorder in clinical practice.

Mental health and behavioural problems in adolescents conceived after ART

STUDY QUESTION: Does mental health and behaviour differ between those conceived with and those conceived without ART? SUMMARY ANSWER: Our study observed less externalizing behaviour (delinquent/aggressive), and more parent-reported internalizing behaviour, as well as more (clinical) depression at age 14 years, in adolescents conceived after ART compared to their non-ART counterparts.

Long-term follow-up after recurrent otitis media and ventilation tube insertion: Hearing outcomes and middle-ear health at six years of age

To investigate the long-term impact of recurrent otitis media (rOM) and ventilation tube insertion (VTI) in early childhood on hearing outcomes and middle-ear health three to five years later, in a prospective pregnancy cohort study.

The prevalence of and potential risk factors for Developmental Language Disorder at 10 years in the Raine Study

This study sought to determine the prevalence of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in Australian school-aged children and associated potential risk factors for DLD at 10 years.

The anticipatory response to stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety in early adulthood

Whilst cortisol reactivity has been associated with depression and anxiety disorders, research examining cortisol reactivity with early symptoms of these conditions in males and females is limited.

Caregiver-mediated interventions to support self-regulation among infants and young children (0-5 years): A protocol for a realist review

Self-regulation is a modifiable protective factor for lifespan mental and physical health outcomes. Early caregiver-mediated interventions to promote infant and child regulatory outcomes prevent long-term developmental, emotional and behavioural difficulties and improve outcomes such as school readiness, educational achievement and economic success. To harness the population health promise of these programmes, there is a need for more nuanced understanding of the impact of these interventions.

Maternal prenatal stress exposure and sex-specific risk of severe infection in offspring

Maternal stressful life events during pregnancy have been associated with immune dysregulation and increased risk for asthma and atopy in offspring. Few studies have investigated whether prenatal stress is associated with increased overall or specific infectious diseases in childhood, nor explored sex differences. We sought to examine the relationship between the nature and timing of maternal stress in pregnancy and hospitalisation with infection in offspring.

The relationship between abdominal pain and emotional wellbeing in children and adolescents in the Raine Study

Abdominal pain in children and adolescents associates with depression, anxiety, being bullied, unhappiness and reduced overall health-rating during adolescence

Bowel patterns, gastrointestinal symptoms, and emotional well-being in adolescents: A cohort study

In adolescents, bowel patterns and gastrointestinal symptoms are diverse and show sex differences

Comparing adolescent and parent reports of externalizing problems: A longitudinal population-based study

Substance use, depression and low school motivation impacted on discrepancy in externalizing behaviour scores for 14-year-old male adolescents and their parents

Maternal smoking and low family income during pregnancy as predictors of the relationship between depression and adiposity in young adults

We aimed to investigate the influence of antenatal and postnatal factors on the increasing incidence of overweight/obesity and mental health disorders in young adults

Relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms scores and blood pressure in young adults

This study aimed to assess the relationships among BP, depression and anxiety symptom scores and self-reported history of depression in young adults.

Childhood atopy and mental health: a prospective, longitudinal investigation

Findings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems

Early life events and motor development in childhood and adolescence: A longitudinal study

Antenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors affecting motor development from late childhood to adolescence were explored.

The Impact of Maternal Gestational Stress on Motor Development in Late Childhood and Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study

Stressful events experienced in late pregnancy were negatively related with offspring motor development

Older maternal age is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in young adult female offspring

Older maternal age is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in young adult females

The impact of maternal gestational stress on motor development in late childhood and adolescence: A longitudinal study

The purpose of this article is to investigate whether the number and timing of stressors experienced during pregnancy impacted longterm motor development at...

Contrasting effects of prenatal life stress on blood pressure and bodymass index in young adults

The effect of prenatal life stress on BP was accentuated by a higher BMI. Fetal programming events as a result of prenatal stress may underpin some of these...

The mental health of asbestos-exposed subjects with pleural abnormalities

The presence of pleural abnormalities did not further affect the mental health of asbestos-exposed people beyond a decrement associated with exposure per se.

Childhood behavior problems and age at first sexual intercourse: A prospective birth cohort study

Early first sexual intercourse (FSI) is a risk factor for unplanned abstract teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, and adverse social, emotional...

Does late childbearing increase the risk for behavioural problems in children? A longitudinal cohort study

This study aimed to examine the relationship between advanced parental age and behavioural outcomes in offspring in a longitudinal cohort of children in...

Risk perception in pregnancy

Despite huge advances in obstetric management and technology in recent decades, there has not been an accompanying decrease in patients' perception of risk...

The association between prenatal environment and children’s mental health trajectories from 2 to 14 years

This study aimed to elucidate how an adverse prenatal environment, as defined by the presence of a number of known prenatal risk factors, would influence...

Low maternal serum vitamin D during pregnancy and the risk for postpartum depression symptoms

Pregnancy is a time of vulnerability for vitamin D insufficiency, and there is an emerging literature associating low levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D with...

Does late childbearing increase the risk for behavioural problems in children? a longitudinal cohort study

This study aimed to examine the relationship between advanced parental age and behavioural outcomes in offspring in a longitudinal cohort of children in WA.

Energy drink consumption among young Australian adults: Associations with alcohol and illicit drug use

Australian energy drink users tend to have heavier alcohol consumption patterns be a cigarette smoker and use illicit drugs relative to non-users.

Energy drink consumption is associated with anxiety in australian young adult males

Energy drinks are predominantly targeted to young adult consumers; however, there has been limited research into their effects on psychological functioning...

Maternal Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Offspring Temperament and Behavior at 1 and 2 Years of Age

Recent research suggests that fetal exposure to increased maternal body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy may be associated with psychopathology later in life.

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy predict parent-reported difficult temperament in infancy

These data suggest that the link between maternal hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and child behavioral development begins in the first year of life.

Delivery at 37 weeks' gestation is associated with a higher risk for child behavioural problems

We suggest that 37 weeks' gestation may not be the optimal cutoff for defining perinatal risk as it applies to behavioural development.

Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and internalizing and externalizing problems in offspring

Exposure to elevated maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is associated with increased levels of internalizing and externalizing problems throughout childhood and...

Maternal life stress events in pregnancy link to children's school achievement at age 10 years

Maternal antenatal exposure to life stress events has differing effects on the school performance of male and female offspring.

In utero hypertensive diseases and cognition in offspring into old age

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia continue to pose a major obstetric risk,...

Pre-pregnancy maternal overweight and obesity increase the risk for affective disorders in offspring

Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity has been linked with an increased risk for negative emotionality and inattentiveness in offspring in early childhood.

Umbilical Cord Blood Testosterone and Childhood Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior: A Prospective Study

Antenatal testosterone exposure influences fetal neurodevelopment and gender-role behavior in postnatal life and may contribute to differences in...

How the first nine months shape the rest of our lives

The field of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) focuses on prenatal influences as a crucial point in development.

Low intake of B-vitamins is associated with poor adolescent mental health and behaviour

The current prevalence of mental health problems in Western populations is approximately 20% and half of all adult mental health disorders are estimated to...

Maternal Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Offspring Temperament and Behavior at 1 and 2 Years of Age

Recent research suggests that fetal exposure to increased maternal body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy may be associated with psychopathology later in life.

Maternal life stress events in pregnancy link to children's school achievement at age 10 years

To test the hypothesis that maternal antenatal exposure to life stress events is associated with lower achievement in literacy and numeracy at age 10 years,...

Do hypertensive diseases of pregnancy disrupt neurocognitive development in offspring?

The current study sought to determine whether gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia are associated with neurocognitive outcomes in middle childhood.

Severity and persistence of asthma and mental health: a birth cohort study

The goal of the current study was to investigate asthma and mental health among youth in the community.

Do hypertensive diseases of pregnancy disrupt neurocognitive development in offspring?

Do hypertensive diseases of pregnancy disrupt neurocognitive development in offspring?

Late-talking and risk for behavioral and emotional problems during childhood and adolescence

Although many toddlers with expressive vocabulary delay ("late talkers") present with age-appropriate language skills by the time they are of school age,...

Late-talking and risk for behavioural and emotional problems during childhood and adolescence

Although many toddlers with expressive vocabulary delay ("late talkers") present with age-appropriate language skills by the time they are of school age...

The over-estimation of risk in pregnancy

The concept of risk is especially salient to obstetric care. Unknown factors can still be responsible for peri-natal morbidity

Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents

Previous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression.

Lifestyle and demographic correlates of poor mental health in early adolescence

To determine the constellation of lifestyle and demographic factors that are associated with poor mental health in an adolescent population.

Duration of breast-feeding and language ability to middle childhood

There is controversy over whether increased breast-feeding duration has long-term benefits for language development.

Prenatal stress and risk of behavioral morbidity from age 2 to 14 years:

The maternal experience of stressful events during pregnancy has been associated with a number of adverse consequences for behavioral development offspring...

The effects of breast-feeding duration on language ability to middle childhood

Modern societies are challenged by "wicked problems" - by definition, those that are difficult to define, multi-casual and hard to treat.

ADHD is associated with a "Western" dietary pattern in adolescents

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and ADHD in a population-based cohort of adolescents.

Low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and risk to child behavioural development: a prospective cohort study

To examine the association of fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy with child and adolescent behavioural development.

Maternal life events during pregnancy and offspring language ability in middle childhood

There is accumulating evidence for a link between maternal stress during pregnancy and later behavioural and emotional problems in children.

Smoking cessation in pregnancy and the risk of child behavioural problems: a longitudinal prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of smoking in pregnancy on child and adolescent behavioural development, in comparison with mothers who cease

The long-term effects of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health: A Pregnancy Cohort Study followed for 14 years

To determine whether there was an independent effect of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health

Child behaviour following low to moderate maternal drinking in pregnancy

Child behaviour following low to moderate maternal drinking in pregnancy

Adolescent dietary patterns are associated with lifestyle and family psychosocial factors

Few studies have examined the dietary patterns of adolescents and the social and environmental factors that may affect them during this life stage.

Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and the development of behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence: The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study

To examine whether maternal gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are associated with behavioral problems in offspring

Education and Qualifications
  • 2010: MPsych/PhD (Clinical), The University of Western Australia “Antenatal and perinatal determinants of behaviour in childhood and adolescence: The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study”
  • 2004: Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Psychology, Murdoch University
Awards/Honours
  • 2015: Supervisor of the Year, The Kids Research Institute Australia
  • 2013: New Independent Researcher Infrastructure Support (NIRIS) Award
  • 2013: “40 Under 40” Award
  • 2012: Elsevier Scopus Young Researcher of the Year Award- National Finalist & Outstanding Performance Star Award
  • 2011: Raine Medical Research Foundation Prize for Best Poster Presentation
  • 2011: Heath Ledger Career Development Award
  • 2011: Australian Psychological Society Early Career Research Award
  • 2011: UWA Outstanding Young Investigator Award
  • 2011: Qantas New Investigator of the Year Award
  • 2011: WA Winner Young Tall Poppy Science Award
  • 2011: UWA Prize for Higher Degree by Research Achievement (Special          Commendation)
  • 2011: Heart Foundation of Australia Travel Grant
  • 2010: Friends of the Institute Travel Grant
  • 2009: The Stan and Jean Perron Award to Recognise Exceptional Performance by a Research Higher Degree Student in 2008
  • 2009: The Heinz Berendes International Travel Award, Society for Pediatric and Perinatal             Epidemiologic Research (SPER)
  • 2009: UWA Prize for Higher Degree by Research Achievement (Special Commendation)
  • 2008: UWA Grant for Research Student Training (GRST) Award
  • 2008: Heart Foundation of Australia Travel Grant
  • 2008: Friends of the Institute Travel Grant
  • 2008: Australasian Human Development Association (AHDA) Travel Scholarship
  • 2008: Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Travel Scholarship
  • 2007: Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) & ARC/NHMRC Early Career Researcher Scholarship
  • 2007-2010: Australian Postgraduate Award
  • 2007-2010: The Stan and Jean Perron Award
Active Collaborations

NHMRC Project Grant

2013-2019

Role: Chief Investigator D

Hart, R., Pennell, C., Doherty, D., Robinson, M., Norman, R.The long-term consequences of IVF treatment for the offspring - a prospective cohort study using the Raine Cohort for comparison

$1,552,096.16

 

UWA Research Collaboration Award

2012-13

Role: Chief Investigator A

Robinson, M & Goodwin, R.Maternal Prenatal Stress Exposure & Risk of Asthma & Allergy for Offspring in Childhood & Early Adolescence

$18,000