Honorary Research Associate
BPsych (Hons), MPsych, GradDip Ed, PhD
Areas of research expertise: Child maltreatment and linked cross-jurisdictional data.
Dr Melissa O'Donnell holds an honorary position at Telethon Kids Institute and is an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia.
Melissa completed her PhD in 2009 through the University of Western Australia. Her research used longitudinal population data from the Western Australian Government Departments of Child Protection, Health, Corrective Services and Education, which was linked and de-identified through the Data Linkage Unit at the Department of Health.
This administrative data was used to: investigate emergency department presentations and hospital admissions related to child abuse and neglect; determine the mental health and juvenile justice outcomes of children who have contact with the child protection system; and investigate the child, family and community characteristics which increase or reduce vulnerability to child abuse and neglect.
During her time working at the Institute, Melissa was also a member of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and the International Child Maltreatment Data Working Group.
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Projects
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Publications
Jun 2023
Infant and Pre-birth Involvement With Child Protection Across Australia
Infants (<1 year old) are the age group in Australia with the highest rate of involvement with child protection. Many jurisdictions across Australia and internationally are implementing policies focused on prenatal planning and targeted support.This study investigates Australian trends in prenatal and infant child protection notifications, substantiations and out-of-home care; and the extent of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants.
Published research Early Childhood Development Aboriginal Health Human Development and Community WellbeingJun 2023Cumulative incidence of child protection system contacts among a cohort of Western Australian Aboriginal children born 2000 to 2013
Reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the child protection system is a key target for the Australian government. We aimed to provide more recent evidence on the population-level cumulative incidence of contacts for Aboriginal children with child protective services in Western Australia.
Published research Early Childhood Development Aboriginal Health Human Development and Community WellbeingNovember 2022Victim-Survivors, Family and Domestic Violence Service Providers and Support People: Identification of Priority Issues for Research and Translation into Policy and Practice
The rates of family and domestic violence (FDV) remain significantly high in Australia, and to address this, we need to ensure that victim-survivors of FDV are at the centre of these efforts. The research objective was to determine priority issues for future research and policy in FDV as determined by victim-survivors of FDV, providers of FDV services and informal support people.
Published research Human Development and Community WellbeingApril 2022Off-target effects of bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2: implications for protection against severe COVID-19
Because of its beneficial off-target effects against non-mycobacterial infectious diseases, bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination might be an accessible early intervention to boost protection against novel pathogens. Multiple epidemiological studies and randomised controlled trials are investigating the protective effect of BCG against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Published research Immunisation Human Development and Community Wellbeing Systems Immunology Infectious Disease Implementation Research Vaccine Trials Group Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases COVID-19 Immune system Strep A & ARF TherapeuticsSeptember 2022Patterns of homelessness and housing instability and the relationship with mental health disorders among young people transitioning from out-of-home care: Retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data
The study examined the relationship between mental health, homelessness and housing instability among young people aged 15-18 years old who transitioned from out-of-home in 2013 to 2014 in the state of Victoria, Australia with follow-up to 2018.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Youth mental healthMay 2022Is early childhood development impeded by the birth timing of the younger sibling?
This study investigated whether the timing of birth of the younger siblings was associated with the risk of the older siblings’ developmental vulnerability in early childhood.
Published research Early Childhood Development Human Development and Community Wellbeing Child Physical Activity, Health and DevelopmentApril 2022Young people with prior health service contacts have increased risk of repeated alcohol-related harm hospitalisations
After a first alcohol-related hospitalisation in youth, subsequent hospitalisations may demonstrate an increased risk of further alcohol-related hospitalisations, but there is no existing data on this.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Youth HealthOctober 2021School Readiness of Children Exposed to Family and Domestic Violence
Children have a universal right to live free from exposure to family and domestic violence (FDV). Children exposed to FDV can experience long-term effects on their physical and psychological health and their social competencies including social, emotional, and cognitive skills and behaviours that underpin successful social adaptation and academic achievement. The aim of this study was to investigate if children exposed to FDV were more likely to be vulnerable on school readiness measures compared to those children who were not exposed.
Published research Bullying Human Development and Community Wellbeing School AttendanceFebruary 2022Child protection involvement of children of mothers with intellectual disability
Children born to parents with intellectual disability (ID) have been shown as disproportionally represented in child protection services however with limited population-based research.
Published research Child Disability Child disabilityFebruary 2022Child protection involvement of children of mothers with intellectual disability
Children born to parents with intellectual disability (ID) have been shown as disproportionally represented in child protection services however with limited population-based research.
Published research Child Disability Child disabilityJuly 2021Gestational age and child development at school entry
Studies have reported a dose-dependent relationship between gestational age and poorer school readiness. The study objective was to quantify the risk of developmental vulnerability for children at school entry, associated with gestational age at birth and to understand the impact of sociodemographic and other modifiable risk factors on these relationships. Linkage of population-level birth registration, hospital, and perinatal datasets to the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), enabled follow-up of a cohort of 64,810 singleton children, from birth to school entry in either 2009, 2012, or 2015.
Published research Early Childhood Development School Attendance Child Physical Activity, Health and DevelopmentMay 2021Injuries in mothers hospitalised for domestic violence-related assault: A whole-population linked data study
To retrospectively assess a cohort of mothers for characteristics of injuries that they have suffered as a result of family and domestic violence (FDV) and which have required admission to a hospital during both the intrapartum and postpartum periods.
Published researchMarch 2021Research using population-based administration data integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings: A systematic review
Over the past decade there has been a marked growth in the use of linked population administrative data for child protection research. This is the first systematic review of studies to report on research design and statistical methods used where population-based administrative data is integrated with longitudinal data in child protection settings.
Published research Early Childhood DevelopmentJune 2021Alcohol-related harm in emergency departments: linking to subsequent hospitalizations to quantify under-reporting of presentations
Alcohol-related harm in emergency departments: linking to subsequent hospitalizations to quantify under-reporting of presentations.To quantify the proportion of emergency department (ED) presentations that could be identified as alcohol-related when linking to a patient's subsequent hospitalization, compared with using ED data alone, and to assess that comparison according to the change in alcohol harm rates over time and potential variations within subpopulations.
Published research Youth HealthNovember 2020Characterizing newborn and older infant entries into care in England between 2006 and 2014
The risk of entry to state care during infancy is increasing, both here in England and abroad, with most entering within a week of birth ('newborns'). However, little is known about these infants or of their pathways through care over early childhood.
Published research Early Childhood DevelopmentSeptember 2020Adolescent education outcomes and maltreatment: The role of pre-existing adversity, level of child protection involvement, and school attendance
Maltreated children are at high risk for low educational achievement, however few studies have accounted for confounding risk factors that commonly co-occur (including child, family and neighbourhood risk factors) and results have been mixed, particularly for adolescents.
Published research Bullying Early Childhood Development Language Development Human Development and Community Wellbeing School AttendanceSeptember 2021Child maltreatment data: A summary of progress, prospects and challenges
In 1996, the ISPCAN Working Group on Child Maltreatment Data (ISPCAN-WGCMD) was established to provide an international forum in which individuals, who deal with child maltreatment data in their respective professional roles, can share concerns and solutions.
Published research Early Childhood Development Human Development and Community WellbeingJune 2020Harmful drinking is associated with mental health conditions and other risk behaviours in Australian young people
Alcohol use can have adverse health effects among children and adolescents
Published researchJune 2020Putting ‘Justice’ in Recovery Capital: Yarning about Hopes and Futures with Young People in Detention
We must celebrate success and hope through a process of mapping and building recovery capital in the justice context at an individual and institutional level
Published research Aboriginal Health Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD Research Youth Mental HealthApril 2020Pregnancy and birth outcomes of mothers with intellectual disability and their infants: Advocacy needed to improve well-being
For mothers with intellectual disability, modifiable risk factors for adverse outcomes need addressing
Published research Academic Biostatistics Intellectual Disability Child DisabilityNovember 2019Disability "In-Justice": Benefits and Challenges of "Yarning" With Young People Undergoing Diagnostic Assessment for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Youth Detention
We report the findings from a qualitative study that took place alongside a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevalence study among detainees in Australia
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Published research Aboriginal Health Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD ResearchOctober 2019Data Linkage: Canadian and Australian Perspectives on a Valuable Methodology for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research
Building data linkage capabilities, and how linked databases can be used to identify persons with IDD and used for population-based research
Published research Child Disability Child EpidemiologySeptember 2019Hospitalisations for maternal assault are associated with increased risk of child protection involvement
Child maltreatment allegation is common in children following a maternal hospitalisation for assault
Published researchJuly 2019Role of pre-existing adversity and child maltreatment on mental health outcomes for children involved in child protection: population-based data linkage study
Young people who have been involved in the child protection system are at increased risk for mental health events and diagnoses
Published researchJuly 2019Trends in mental health related contacts among mothers of Aboriginal children in Western Australia (1990-2013)
Many of the mental health issues that women develop earlier in life are chronic at the time of conception, during pregnancy and at birth
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal HealthJuly 2019Overcrowded housing: One of a constellation of vulnerabilities for child sexual abuse
The findings suggest that overcrowded living conditions are associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse for some children
Published researchApril 2019Infant removals: The need to address the over-representation of Aboriginal infants and community concerns of another ‘stolen generation’
The disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infant removals needs to be seen as a priority requiring urgent action to prevent further intergenerational trauma
Published research Aboriginal HealthJanuary 2019Risks and obstacles in implementing a public health approach to the wellbeing and protection of children
We have also been engaged with and excited by the attempts to adopt a public health approach to the care and protection of children as described throughout this book
Published researchJuly 2018Out-of-Home Care and the Educational Achievement, Attendance, and Suspensions of Maltreated Children: A Propensity-Matched Study
Out-of-home care was not found to be a significant factor in the adverse educational outcomes of these children
Published research Human Development and Community WellbeingOctober 2017Maternal alcohol use disorder and subsequent child protection contact: A record-linkage population cohort study
We examined the relationship between a maternal alcohol-use diagnosis, and the timing of diagnosis, and child protection outcomes in a Western Australian population cohort.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD ResearchAugust 2017Relationship between out-of-home care placement history characteristics and educational achievement: A population level linked data study.
This study examined the influence of placement stability, reunification, type of care, time in care and age at entry to care on children's educational outcomes.
Published research Human Development and Community WellbeingAugust 2017Maternal alcohol use disorder and subsequent child protection contact: A record-linkage population cohort study
We examined the relationship between a maternal alcohol-use diagnosis, and the timing of diagnosis, and child protection outcomes in a WA population cohort.
Published research Human Development and Community Wellbeing Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD ResearchMay 2016Trends in alcohol-related injury admissions in adolescents in Western Australia and England: Population-based cohort study
More needs to be done to address alcohol-related harm, and on-going monitoring is required to assess the effectiveness of strategies.
Published research Child Health, Development & Education Youth HealthApril 2017Maltreatment risk among children with disabilities
Supports are needed for families with children with disabilities to assist in meeting the child's health and developmental needs, but also to support the parents in managing the often more complex parenting environment.
Published research Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD Research Child DisabilityJanuary 2017Patterns of participation in year 9 academic testing and factors predicting absence on the day of test
Policies aiming to improve educational outcomes are typically based on academic testing data. However, such data only reflects those who complete the test.
Published researchSeptember 2016Entering out-of-home care during childhood: Cumulative incidence study in Canada and Australia
Comparing children entering out-of-home care in Canada and Australia
Published researchJuly 2016Out-of-Home Care versus In-home Care for Children Who Have Been Maltreated: A Systematic Review of Health and Wellbeing Outcomes
Compared developmental health or wellbeing outcomes for maltreated children placed in out-of-home care with those cared for in their home
Published researchJanuary 2016Neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome: Cross-country comparison using hospital administrative data in England, the USA, Western Australia and Ontario, Canada.
We determined trends over time in the prevalence of neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome (NWS) in England compared with that reported in the USA, Western (W)...
Published researchJuly 2013Cross-country comparison of victimisation-related injury admission in children and adolescents in England and Western Australia
The similarities in risk factors and in the adjusted rates of victimisation-related injury admission in both countries suggest that the VR cluster of ICD-10...
Published researchMay 2013Trends in pre-existing mental health disorders among parents of infants born in Western Australia from 1990 to 2005
From 1990 to 2005, there was an increase in prevalence of parents with a prior history of mental health disorders in WA.
Published research Child DisabilityJanuary 2013Application of Population-Based Linked Data to the Study of Intellectual Disability and Autism
Data linkage is the bringing together of specific datasets from different sources using demographic information on individuals within a population.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Intellectual Disability Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD Research Child DisabilityFebruary 2012Child maltreatment: variation in trends and policies in six developed countries
We explored trends in six developed countries in three types of indicators of child maltreatment for children younger than 11 years.
Published researchJanuary 2012Western Australian emergency department presentations related to child maltreatment and intentional injury
To determine the proportion of child maltreatment-related emergency department presentations in WA and describe the types of injuries associated with them.
Published research Academic BiostatisticsDecember 2011Child maltreatment: variation in trends and policies in six developed countries
We explored trends in six developed countries in three types of indicators of child maltreatment for children younger than 11 years,...
Published researchJanuary 2011Can joined-up data lead to joined-up thinking? The Western Australian Developmental Pathways Project
Modern societies are challenged by "wicked problems" - by definition, those that are difficult to define, multi-casual and hard to treat.
Published research Depression and Anxiety Youth HealthNovember 2010Monitoring child abuse and neglect at a population level: patterns of hospital admissions for maltreatment and assault
To investigate the prevalence, trends, and characteristics of maltreatment and assault related hospital admissions and deaths among children;
Published research Child DisabilityNovember 2010The use of cross-jurisdictional population data to investigate health indicators of child maltreatment
To investigate the prevalence, trends, and characteristics of maltreatment and assault related hospital admissions and deaths among children
Published research Child DisabilityJune 2010Characteristics of non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal children and families with substantiated child maltreatment
To investigate specific child and parental factors associated with increased vulnerability to substantiated child maltreatment.
Published research Child DisabilityJanuary 2010World perspectives in child abuse population level cross-jurisdictional data:
World perspectives in child abuse population level cross-jurisdictional data: Broadening the monitoring and surveillance of child abuse and neglect.
Published research