Research

As identified in Ngala’s strategic plan, research is a key area for the organisation. Recently Ngala has developed a Research Framework to guide us in our research activities. At Ngala, we participate in research projects that focus on evidence-based studies to underpin our work with families and children. Click here to see our research plan for the next four years.

At Ngala we work together with the following key university partners who support us in our research activities:

Vicki Banham, Edith Cowan University

Yvonne Hauck, Curtin University

Lynn Priddis, Curtin University

Linda Shields, Curtin University

Developing a framework for research at Ngala poster

Research in Progress

2011       Student Doctoral Study: An Exploration into the Past, Present and Future of Nursing in Early Parenting Services in Australia

This study commenced in 2010 and is being conducted at Ngala by Elaine Bennett, a Doctoral student. The project will examine how early parenting nurses and allied health professionals describe the role of nurses within the context of an interdisciplinary team. It will consider how nursing has evolved and what nurses perceive the future direction of nursing will be in Australian early parenting services. For more information on this study, please contact ejbennett@ngala.com.au .

2011       Surviving Postnatal Depression: the Male Perspective

This research project was undertaken by Elaine Bennett who, together with Dawson Cooke, has added current literature on this issue. The study examines the impact of Postnatal Depression on a group of men whose partners are experiencing moderate to severe levels of postnatal depression. The study demonstrates that the experience of ‘surviving postnatal depression’ causes significant distress for men and describes the transitions that they go through in order to cope. This paper contributes to recent literature and our understanding of the male experience of postnatal depression and shares some of the strategies the men used in order to survive. This paper has been submitted to the journal Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing for publication.

2010       The Development of an Interdisciplinary Research Agenda at Ngala: an innovative case study

This study was undertaken by Ngala in consultation with University partners. A research group was developed at Ngala which included representatives from key Universities. The aim of this group was to develop a Research Framework to guide Ngala in its research plan and activities. The report resulting from this study has been accepted for publication in the journal Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing.For more information on this study, please contact ejbennett@ngala.com.au or eessex@ngala.com.au .

Completed Research

2011      Changing Nappies / Changing Lives: An Evaluation

This report describes the evaluation of the piloted workshop: Changing Nappies / Changing Lives: Adjusting to Parenting Your New Baby.  This was a workshop for new parents who reported eperiencing difficulties with adjusting to parenting in the first year of their baby's life.  The evaluation showed that overall the parents who attended the workshop reported a decrease in depression-related symptoms at follow-up, especially the fathers, and there was a general, albeit small, increase in parenting confidence.  The participants generally reported high levels of satisfaction with the content, structure and facilitation of the workshop; in particular it's approach to parental mental health issues.  For further information please contact jturner@ngala.com.au or click here to read the report.

2010       Fathers and Families – Working with Fathers

This research project was undertaken by the Australian Association of Parenting and Child Health in conjunction with Ngala and other Australian parenting centres and was published on the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) website. This paper investigates supporting positive fathering in early childhood. It was found through discussion that father participation in existing early parenting programs is limited in part because men often do not see a need to attend as they have no point of comparison for their parenting behaviour, and in part due to the style and attitudes of parenting programs. The study found a need for a greater understanding of contemporary fatherhood in Australia and recommendations were made for carrying out further research. Click here to read the article.

2009       Studies on Sleep and Settling:

1.  The Effectiveness of an Early Parenting Intervention for Mothers with Infants with Sleep and Settling Concerns: a Prospective Non-Equivalent Before-After Study Design

This research project was undertaken by Ngala, in partnership with Curtin University and the University of British Columbia, and has been published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03734.x.The study examines the effectiveness of seeking help from Ngala on sleep and settling strategies used by parents when compared to a sample of parents in the community who did not receive assistance. For more information, please contact gwells@ngala.com.au.

2.   Does Early Introduction of Solids Affect Infant Night Waking at Six Months? A Prospective Non-Equivalent Before-After Study Design

This research project was undertaken by Ngala in partnership with Curtin University and is currently being prepared for publication. For more information on this study, please contact gwells@ngala.com.au.

2008       Involving Young Children in Decision Making – An Exploration of Practitioners’ Views

Prepared by Dr Kim Hudson, Centre for Social and Community Research Murdoch University and undertaken by Ngala in partnership with Anglicare, Centre for Social and Community Research and Lotterywest. This study examines the views of childcare workers and early childhood teachers on young children’s involvement in decision making. Click here to read the report.

2008       Tuned In Parenting (TIP): A Collaborative Approach to Improving Parent-Child Relationships

The Tuned in Parenting program is a therapeutic group for parents whose children have attachment difficulties. It supports parents in learning to be tuned-in to their children’s needs. This report was an evaluation of Ngala’s Tuned in Parenting program undertaken by Ngala in partnership with Curtin University and has been published in The Australian Community Psychologist (Vol 20(2), Dec 2008). It compares a group of mothers’ responses to their children before and after the TIP program and also compares them with a control group. The results of the study show support for the TIP program in increasing the sensitive-responsiveness to their infants of parents who had completed the program.  Click here

2005       Research Priorities for Parenting and Child Health: a Delphi Study

This research project was undertaken at Ngala by Curtin University and the University of Tasmania. It examines the research priorities of clinical staff working at Ngala. The study identified seven main areas that Ngala practitioners perceived to be relevant research areas. The C-Frame study that is currently in progress has arisen from this Delphi study. This study has been published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing (59(2), pp129-139) doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04278.x. For more information, please contact y.hauck@curtin.edu.au.

2005       Fly-in-Fly-out Employment: Managing the Parenting Transitions

Prepared by Dr Danielle Gallegos, Centre for Social and Community Research, Murdoch University,  and undertaken by Ngala in partnership with Murdoch University, Meerilinga, Institute of Child Health Research, Centrecare and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA. The study examines the issues faced by families involved in fly-in-fly-out employment and provides advice from the sample families and from associated agencies as to the best way to manage those issues.. Click here to read the report.

2005       Working with Dads and Mums: a Community-Based Response to Post-Natal Depression

This project was undertaken by Ngala in partnership with Armadale Community Health Services, ARAFMI – Mental Health Carers and Friends Association and Gosnells Women’s Health Service. The study examines post-natal depression and its effects on families while looking at the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Click here to read the report.

2003       Being Dad to a Child Under Two – Executive Summary

This project was undertaken by Ngala in conjunction with Anglicare WA, Lifeline WA and the University of WA and examines men’s expectations of fatherhood and where those expectations originate from, their experiences of fatherhood and visions of their future as a father and how to engage men more in becoming fully involved in their child’s life and development. Other sections of this report include: Methodology ; Findings; Discussion ; Appendix 1and Appendices 2 – 5 .

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