Professor Donna Cross

DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education.

School-based bullying intervention programs in Australia and New Zealand

Psychological flexibility is associated with less diabetes distress and lower glycated haemoglobin in adults with type 1 diabetes

Diabetes distress, self-efficacy and health literacy are associated with diabetes self-management and health outcomes. Measures of coping styles and their impact on diabetes self-management and diabetes-related distress may add value in identifying those at risk of poorer health outcomes. Current evidence of associations between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and diabetes related health outcomes is limited.

Improving equity through school leadership and student wellbeing. 2021. ACEL Monograph #61 - ‘The William Walker Oration 2021

School leaders’ and staff wellbeing is critical for student success. Our Schools- Our Future Research Paper

While most education professionals enjoy the many opportunities working in schools and with students provides, they are also exposed to numerous stressors, such as excessive workload, complex and challenging student needs and responding to parent demands can compromise their wellbeing. Frequent exposure can lead to burnout, stress, health and relationship problems and fatigue, which can have a negative impact on their motivation, job satisfaction and their likelihood of remaining in the profession. This research paper provides recommendations and practical actions to protect and promote the wellbeing of school leaders and staff, and to support staff who may be experiencing difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing.

Prevalence and pattern of energy drink intake among Australian adolescents

Energy drinks (ED) are popular among young people despite evidence of associated health risks. Research into the prevalence and pattern of ED intake among young people is sparse. The present study investigates the prevalence and pattern of ED intake among a large sample of adolescents, including how many consume them, how often, for what reasons and in what contexts.

Burden and preference-based quality of life associated with bullying in children

The objectives of this study are to assess the association between childhood bullying and preference-based health-related quality of life in Australian school children and their parents and estimate quality-adjusted life years associated with bullying chronicity. Children aged 8-10 years completed the child health utilities, while parents completed the Australian quality of life.

The Potential of Anti-Bullying Efforts to Prevent Academic Failure and Youth Crime. A Case Using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP)

The effectiveness of bullying prevention programs has led to expectations that these programs could have effects beyond their primary goals. By reducing the number of victims and perpetrators and the harm experienced by those affected, programs may have longer-term effects on individual school performance and prevent crime. In this paper, we use Norwegian register data to study the long-term impact of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) on academic performance, high school dropout, and youth crime for the average student, which we call population-level effects.

Bullying and psychosocial adjustment among children with and without asthma

Children with asthma face serious mental health risk, but the pathways remain unclear. This study aimed to examine bullying victimisation and perpetration in children with asthma and a comparison sample without a chronic health condition, and the role of bullying in moderating psychosocial adjustment outcomes for those with asthma. A sample of children with and without asthma, and their parents, were recruited from hospital clinics.

The Challenges of Being Physically Active: A Qualitative Study of Young People With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Parents

Benefits of physical activity are well recognized for youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but being active is challenging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the challenges experienced by adolescents, their parents and young adults with T1DM when they are physically active.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Associated Stressors and Comorbidities in Children and Youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder across the Child Protection and Justice Settings in Western Australia

Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at risk of having adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially those with child protection or justice system involvement. The complex relationship between FASD and psychosocial vulnerabilities in the affected individual is an important clinical risk factor for comorbidity.

Economic Evaluation of an Intervention Designed to Reduce Bullying in Australian Schools

The aim of this study was to estimate the changes to costs and health benefits of implementing the "Friendly Schools Friendly Families" (FSFF) anti-bullying intervention in Australia.

Strengthening student social and emotional wellbeing and preventing bullying behaviours: Insights from 20 years of Friendly Schools research in Australian schools.

Strong evidence supports our current understandings of student bullying behaviours and ways schools can prevent and respond effectively to bullying behaviour. In the late 1990’s, however, little was understood about the most effective ways to reduce bullying in Australian schools. In response to schools’ need for evidence-informed action, a pipeline of research called Friendly Schools was initiated in 1999 which for the past twenty years, has provided robust whole-school evidence-based knowledge and skills to support policy makers, school staff and other practitioners working in schools and families across Australia.

Leading excellence through equity: Social emotional learning for a Fair Go

Australia likes to call itself the land of the "Fair Go". But what does a Fair Go mean for students from backgrounds of deep disadvantage? The UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 aim to ensure "inclusive and equitable quality education and [to promote] lifelong learning opportunities for all" (United Nations, 2015).

Built Environments and Child Health: A Policy Review’, Life Course Centre Working Paper Series, 2021-22

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and is affected not only by individual choice but also by societal and environmental influences. Childhood obesity is higher in children living in regional and remote compared with major cities, in one-parent families and for those with a disability.

Friendly schools’ bullying prevention research: Implications for school counsellors

Bullying varies in frequency, intensity, duration and hence severity, and contributes uniquely and directly to mental health problems, with severe and long-lasting consequences. Almost a half of school-age students report being bullied in the past year.

Overarching Evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program- Final Report

The National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program (the Program) aims to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people, commencing with the early years and going through to adolescence, by providing targeted grants for workforce and education activities that will build capabilities aligned to the Program objectives.

The Challenges of Being Physically Active: A Qualitative Study of Young People With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Parents

Benefits of physical activity are well recognized for youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but being active is challenging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the challenges experienced by adolescents, their parents and young adults with T1DM when they are physically active.

Long-term economic outcomes for interventions in early childhood: protocol for a systematic review

Investment in early childhood produces positive returns: for the child, the family and the community.

Combining whole-school and targeted programs for the reduction of bullying victimization: A randomized, effectiveness trial

The current effectiveness trial evaluated the combination of a whole-school program designed to prevent bullying perpetration and victimization

Lessons from schools with high levels of support for students with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study

This project aimed to investigate how schools provide support for the psychosocial wellbeing and disease management of students with type 1 diabetes

RE-AIM evaluation of a teacher-delivered programme to improve the self-regulation of children attending Australian Aboriginal community primary schools

Benefits in teaching the Alert Program® to students in a region with high reported rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and self-regulation impairment

Recalling our day in the sun: comparing long-term recall of childhood sun exposure with prospectively collected parent-reported data

Group data from retrospective recall of sun-related behaviours may be of limited value in studying the relationship between sun exposure and health outcomes;

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

Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of motivational interviewing for bullying perpetration in school settings

Results indicated a number factors which influenced the uptake of Motivational Interviewing in schools

Designs on Narrative: A Design-Based Method to Elicit Young People’s Narratives About Electronic Image-Sharing Issues and Interventions

The narrative structure innate to the Design Thinking process offered a picture of electronic image-sharing problems and related solutions from young people’s perspectives

Friendly Schools Universal Bullying Prevention Intervention: Effectiveness with Secondary School Students

This study demonstrates the importance of considering the effectiveness of secondary school bullying prevention interventions and real-world implementation support

Improving self-regulation and executive functioning skills in primary school children in a remote Australian Aboriginal community: A pilot study of the Alert Program®

This community partnered pilot research, evaluated a school-based program to reduce the behavioral impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Powered standing wheelchairs promote independence, health and community involvement in adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

This study used qualitative methods to explore how adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy used a powered wheelchair standing device in their daily lives

Telling an Adult at School about Bullying: Subsequent Victimization and Internalizing Problems

To prevent persistent victimization, schools and teachers need to be better equipped to respond effectively when a student first becomes a target of bullying

Moral Disengagement of Pure Bullies and Bully/Victims: Shared and Distinct Mechanisms

This study advances bullying research by extending the role of moral disengagement in bullying episodes beyond pure bullies to victims, both pure victims and bully/victims

The Nguudu Barndimanmanha Project-Improving Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Aboriginal Youth Through Equine Assisted Learning

We observed improvements in self-regulation, self-awareness, and socialization skills, evident from the photography recording and the questionnaire data

A Qualitative Exploration of Electronic Image Sharing Among Young People: Navigating the Issues of Conformity, Trust, Intention, and Reputation

This research sought to explore the main factors affecting young people's image-sharing behaviors, particularly in the context of peer relationships and norms

Impact of the Friendly Schools whole-school intervention on transition to secondary school and adolescent bullying behaviour

These findings demonstrate the immediate value of whole-school interventions to reduce bullying behaviour and associated harms among students

A group randomized controlled trial evaluating parent involvement in whole-school actions to reduce bullying

Whole-school capacity-building intervention in early and middle childhood can improve the likelihood and frequency of positive parent–child communication about bullying

If it's about me, why do it without me? Genuine student engagement in school cyberbullying education

This study reports on a three-year group randomized controlled trial, the Cyber Friendly Schools Project, aimed to reduce cyberbullying among grade 8 students

Beyond the reactive-proactive dichotomy: Rage, revenge, reward, and recreational aggression predict early high school bully and bully/victim status

We discuss the implications of addressing Revenge and Recreation, as well as Reward and Rage aggression motives, for bullying prevention and intervention strategies

The school experiences of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Western Australia

Elevated levels of emotional difficulties among school students with T1D and variable levels of support from school staff to assist these students to manage their diabetes at school

Does the Risk Outweigh the Benefits? Adolescent Responses to Completing Health Surveys

Self-reported experiences of adolescents in population-based samples when completing health-related surveys on topics with varying potential for evoking distres

Motivational interviewing as a positive response to high-school bullying

We provide a narrative review of Motivational Interviewing and map its core features onto the extant literature on self‐reported motivations for bullying

Study protocol for a self-controlled cluster randomised trial of the Alert Program to improve self-regulation and executive function in Australian Aboriginal children

This trial is evaluating the effectiveness of an Alert Program school curriculum for improving self-regulation and executive function in children living in remote Australian Aboriginal communities

“Arguments online, but in school we always act normal”: The embeddedness of early adolescent negative peer interactions within the whole of their offline and online peer interactions

Our aim was to study was to investigate how negative peer interactions on/offline are associated with each and with other daily interactions among adolescents.

Efficacy of the Aussie Optimism Program: Promoting Pro-social Behavior and Preventing Suicidality in Primary School Students. A Randomised-Controlled Trial

Aussie Optimism Program with teacher training along with coaching may have the potential to positively impact on suicidality and pro-social behavior in the pre-adolescent years

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

Investigating the long-term impact of a childhood sun-exposure intervention, with a focus on eye health: protocol for the Kidskin-Young Adult Myopia Study

A follow-up of Kidskin Study participants provides an opportunity to investigate the associations between a childhood sun-exposure intervention and potentially related conditions in adulthood

School-based promotion of mental health and wellbeing to address bullying

The complexity of an issue such as school bullying and how this is best addressed as part of a systematic whole-school approach

Adolescent perceptions of bystanders’ responses to cyberbullying

This study explored the perceptions of, and key influences on, adolescent bystanders who witness cyberbullying

Adolescent Bystander Behavior in the School and Online Environments and the Implications for Interventions Targeting Cyberbullying

The aim of this study was to add to the emerging knowledge about the role of bystanders in cyberbullying.

Family Involvement in a Whole-School Bullying Intervention: Mothers’ and Fathers’ Communication and Influence with Children

These results highlight the importance of working with both male and female caregivers when addressing children’s bullying behaviour.

The Association of Fly-in Fly-out Employment, Family Connectedness, Parental Presence and Adolescent Wellbeing

Importance of strengthening family connections within fly-in fly-out households. Suggestions have been made to help fly-in fly-out parents to stay in touch with their families

Adolescent bystanders' perspectives of aggression in the online versus school environments

Researchers' understanding of bystanders' perspectives in the cyber-environment fails to take young people's perceptions into account and remains imperfect.

Does self-efficacy mediate the association between socioeconomic background and emotional symptoms among schoolchildren?

Socioeconomic inequality in emotional symptoms exists. This inequality is partly explained by socioeconomic inequality in self-efficacy

Encouraging the positive use of technology through community engagement

This study utilises a community-level approach to develop resources to encourage cybersafety and a positive transition from primary to secondary school

Cyber Agression

Information and communication technology has allowed individuals to engage in aggressive behavior on multiple distinct platforms with different capabilities

Using online environments to build school staff capacity to address student wellbeing

Teachers and school executive teams are often required to address health and wellbeing issues affecting students' learning

Longitudinal impact of the Cyber Friendly Schools program on adolescents' cyberbullying behavior

Cyber Friendly Schools program was associated with significantly greater declines in the odds of involvement in cyber-victimization and perpetration

Testing for Response Shift Bias in Evaluations of School Antibullying Programs

Researchers conducting program evaluations in other contexts are advised to consider testing for this potential source of bias in their studies

Cyberbullying and the role of the law in Australian schools: Views of senior officials

Opinions of employees from the education and legal systems, regarding their perceptions of the role of the law and cyberbullying in Australian schools

Using online environments to build school staff capacity to address student wellbeing

Professional development of school staff can be enhanced with carefully developed and delivered online learning resources

Encouraging the positive use of technology through community engagement

Describe a seven stage community engagement process to develop and disseminate community uptake strategies which encouraged cyber safety

School policies on bullying and cyberbullying: perspectives across three Australian states

The perspectives of professionals involved in bullying and cyberbullying policy construction, across three different Australian states

The relationship between school climate and mental and emotional wellbeing over the transition from primary to secondary school

The current study examined the relationship between students’ mental and emotional wellbeing and factors pertaining to school climate, focusing on the...

Is sexual content in new media linked to sexual risk behaviour in young people? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Strong association between self-reported exposure to sexual content in new media and sexual behaviours in young people

Protecting and Promoting Young People’s Social and Emotional Health in Online and Offline Contexts

Young people's use of mobile phones and access to the Internet have increased dramatically in the last decade, especially among those aged 9-15 years.

Risk factors in adolescents’ involvement in violent behaviours

The purpose of this paper is to examine risk factors associated with Western Australian secondary school students' involvement in violence-related behaviours.

Evaluating the capacity of Australian school staff to recognise and respond to cyberbullying behaviours

To prevent and manage students' cyberbullying, school staff must be aware of this behavior, be able to recognize it, and respond appropriately and skilfully.

Bridging the gap of school change: Pre-service teachers’ knowledge and understanding of cyberbullying

The beliefs, attitudes and understandings of pre-service teachers towards bullying and more recently, cyberbullying remains unclear.

Cyberbullying among children and youth:Characteristics and prevention strategies

This book discusses cyberbullying among children; specifically explaining the prevalence of cyberbullying, the difficulties in detection & prevention, the...

Parent voices guide smoking intervention development

While parents' influence on their children's smoking behaviour is widely recognised, little is known about parents of four to eight year olds' attitudes and...

Bullying behaviour following students’ transition to a secondary boarding school context

This study investigated the prevalence and types of bullying behaviour that boarding students experienced during the transition to a secondary boarding school.

The social and emotional well-being and mental health implications for adolescents transitioning to secondary boarding school

This paper explores the social and emotional wellbeing and mental health complexities for Western Australian adolescents when they transition to boarding school

A social-ecological framework for understanding and reducing cyberbullying behaviours

While the CFS findings suggest the combined whole-school response to the mediators was somewhat effective, the study wasn't able to determine the relative...

If it’s about me, why do it without me? Genuine student engagement in school cyberbullying education

This study reports on a three-year group randomized controlled trial, the Cyber Friendly Schools Project (CFSP), aimed to reduce cyberbullying among grade 8...

A longitudinal study of the social and emotional predictors and consequences of cyber and traditional bullying victimisation

Few longitudinal studies have investigated how cyberbullying interacts with traditional bullying among young people, who are increasingly using online...

Bias in student survey findings from active parental consent procedures

This study assessed the potential bias present in a sample of actively consented students, and in the estimates of associations between variables obtained...

Transition to secondary school: Expectation versus experience

This study investigated what young people in primary school reported being worried about with their impending move to secondary school, and how their...

Do emotional and behavioural difficulties in primary school predict adolescent victimisation trajectories?

The results of this study suggest whole-school bullying intervention programmes need to occur before students reach secondary school.

Using Systems Theory to Understand and Respond to Family Influences on Children's Bullying Behavior

This article addresses Systems Theory as it applies to school-age children's bullying behavior.

Teacher–Child Relationship, Parenting, and Growth in Likelihood and Severity of Physical Aggression in the Early School Years

This study investigated the likelihood of children showing problems with parent-rated physical aggression, and on the severity of problems, for 374 children.

How Does Support From Peers Compare With Support From Adults as Students Transition to Secondary School?

Students who expect and experience a positive transition to secondary school are generally well-supported by their peers, school, and family.

The Forms of Bullying Scale (FBS): Validity and Reliability Estimates for a Measure of Bullying Victimization and Perpetration in Adolescence

The study of bullying behavior and its consequences for young people depends on valid and reliable measurement of bullying victimization and perpetration.

Acceptability of OP/Na swabbing for SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in Western Australian schools

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Governments responded with lockdown and isolation measures to combat viral spread, including the closure of many schools. More than a year later, widespread screening for SARS-CoV-2 is critical to allow schools and other institutions to remain open.

Informing Resource Allocation for Investment in Early Childhood: A Review of the International Peer-Reviewed Evidence

Early childhood investment decisions represent critical policy frameworks that ideally reflect a strong evidence base. This review seeks to assess early childhood intervention priorities based on return on investment without limitation by health, education or social science sector.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the Play Active policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care: a pragmatic cluster randomised trial protocol

Daily physical activity is critical during the early years of life for facilitating children's health and development. A large proportion of preschool children do not achieve the recommended 3 h of daily physical activity. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are a key setting to intervene to increase physical activity. There is a significant need for ECEC specific physical activity policy, including clearer guidelines on the amount of physical activity children should do during care, and strategies for implementation of these guidelines.

Individual, Social, and Environmental Correlates of Energy Drink Use Among Adolescents

To investigate the correlates of adolescent energy drink use using a socioecological approach to inform future interventions.

A review of Australian Government funding of parenting intervention research

Parenting is central to children's optimal development and accounts for a substantial proportion of the variance in child outcomes, including up to 40% of child mental health. Parenting is also one of the most modifiable, proximal, and direct factors for preventing and treating a range of children's problems and enhancing wellbeing.

Exploring offending characteristics of young people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Western Australia

Neurodevelopmental impairments resulting from Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can increase the likelihood of justice system involvement. This study compared offence characteristics in young people with FASD to demographically matched controls (n = 500) in Western Australia.

“Why don’t I look like her?” How adolescent girls view social media and its connection to body image

Adolescent girls appear more vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties from social media use than boys. The presence of sexualized images online is thought to contribute, through increasing body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls.