Michelle L Townsend
Biographic Data
| ID | 4415047 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michelle L Townsend |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michelle L |
| FAMILY NAME | Townsend |
| SIGNATURE | TOWNSEND M L |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Wollongong |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8921-781X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 35 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2007 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Culturally-Situated Trauma-Informed Practice within an Aboriginal Out of Home Care Program
In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 11 times more likely to be placed in Out of Home Care (OOHC) than non-Indigenous children. Connection to culture is acknowledged as essential to Aboriginal children’s wellbeing, which involves relational connection and facilitation by Aboriginal caseworkers, carers and Elders. Culturally-situated trauma-informed practice has been identified as an approach to effectively support Abor…
The longitudinal network of peer problems and emotional symptoms among Australian adolescents: Bayesian structure learning of directed acyclic graphs
Adolescence is a period in which peer problems and emotional symptoms markedly increase in prevalence. However, the causal mechanisms regarding how peer problems cause emotional symptoms at a behavioral level and vice versa remain unknown. To address this gap, the present study investigated the longitudinal network of peer problems and emotional symptoms among Australian adolescents aged 12-14 years. Data were from the Longitudinal Study of Austr…
Adolescent mental health inpatient unit: The experience of caregivers
“I Wasn’t Gonna Quit, but by Hook or by Crook I was Gonna Find a Way Through for the Kids”: A Narrative Inquiry, of Mothers and Practitioners, Exploring the Help-seeking of Mothers’ Experiencing Child…
‘He’s out of control, I’m out of control, it’s just – I’ve got to do something’: A narrative inquiry of child to parent violence
Families globally experience child to parent violence (CPV). Stories of CPV have been considered at an individual and collective level to ascertain themes in parents’ accounts to identify enabling and restraining factors for CPV. However, understanding the societal narratives, defined as discourses, which have a multi-directional and entangled relationship with individual recounts of CPV have yet to be investigated. This research utilizes Narrati…
Responding to suicidal behaviour in children and young people with a child maltreatment history: A scoping review
Child maltreatment affects millions of children internationally every year. Development is negatively impacted by maltreatment increasing the likelihood of maladaptive behaviours. Associations between child maltreatment and suicidal behaviour and suicide in young people has been established. However, there is a research gap in understanding effective ways to respond to and intervene with suicidal behaviour in young people who have experienced chi…
I Don't Know What I'd Do if My Kid Was Being Violent to Me, but These Parents Just Keep Pushing Through: A Narrative Inquiry of Practitioner Responses to Child to Parent Violence
Child to parent violence (CPV) is a serious concern. However, there is a paucity of research exploring practices for supporting families experiencing this violence. Many responses for CPV sit within a criminal justice setting and are underpinned by skill development and psychological approaches. This study is aimed at examining ‘What responses from services, including the conditions that enable responses, are identified as supportive for families…
A Systematic Review of Child to Parent Violence Interventions
Objective: To identify, appraise and synthesize research on the interventions used in child to parent violence. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the electronic databases of PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL Full Text. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, three authors conducted the screening process which was implemented in two stages including screen…
Carer Peer Workers in Borderline Personality Services: Providing Reciprocal Understanding and Personal Strategies to Family Members
The value that carer peer workers may offer family members with lived experience of BPD has not been investigated thoroughly to date. This study aims to investigate the unique contributions of carer peer workers in supporting family members who care for consumers with BPD. Mixed method questionnaires were completed by family members, consumers, carer peer workers, and clinicians (N = 24) at five mental health services. Qualitative responses were …
Covid ‐19: Impact on children living in out‐of‐home care and their carers
Children enter out‐of‐home care (OOHC) having experienced significant childhood adversities and trauma. Little is known about the short‐term impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on this vulnerable group. To gain some insights, we analysed the early impacts on the well‐being and experiences of children in OOHC and their carers using the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study data prior to and post the first lockdown restrictions. A total of 862 children,…
Antenatal mind-mindedness and its relationship to maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women
In this study, researchers aimed to investigate whether a relationship exists between maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and antenatal mind-mindedness in a sample of Australian pregnant women (n = 43). Participants completed the Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) in their second and third trimester, and a modified 'describe your baby' interview with the inclusion of general prompts as a measure of antenatal mind-mindedness in their third trimest…
Parental Response Style to Adolescent Self-Harm: Psychological, Social and Functional Impacts
Adolescent self-harm is a significant public health issue. We aimed to understand how parent stress response styles to their child's self-harm affects their wellbeing and functioning and the wider family. Thirty-seven participants in Australia (parents; 92% female) completed a mixed methods survey regarding their adolescent child's self-harm. We conducted Pearson zero-order correlations and independent t -tests to examine the impact of parent res…
Mental health help seeking in young people and carers in out of home care: A systematic review
Maternal perinatal mental health: Associations with bonding, mindfulness, and self‐criticism at 18 months’ postpartum
The perinatal period is a time of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal mental health from pregnancy to 18 months’ postpartum. This study specifically analyzes maternal self‐criticism and mindfulness during pregnancy and at 18 months’ postpartum, and their associations with bonding. A longitudinal study (30 weeks’ gestation–18 months’ postpartum) assessed 32 mother–infant dyads, examining changes in maternal depression, anxie…
Top‐down and Bottom‐up: The Role of Social Information Processing and Mindfulness as Predictors in Maternal–infant Interaction
The cross‐generational transmission of attachment appears to reflect a complex interplay of factors, which have been challenging to identify. The current longitudinal study explored the maternal cognitive model of relationships through language use, maternal mindfulness, and attachment style assessed prenatally, as predictors of maternal response to distress and infant behavior at 6 months’ postpartum. Infant behavior to the mother also was exami…
Observing the Influence of Mindfulness and Attachment Styles Through Mother and Infant Interaction: A Longitudinal Study
The cross-generational influence of attachment security or insecurity on caregiving is well-established. Recently, research has focused on mindfulness as a potential variable to interrupt the transmission of insecure attachment and disrupt its effect across generations. Thirty-six pregnant female participants completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire and Relationship Questionnaire-Clinical Version at 30 weeks’ gestation. Following the i…
The Educational Outcomes of Young People 4–5 Years after Leaving Care: An Australian Perspective
Judy Cashmore, Marina Paxman and Michelle Townsend focus on the educational and employment pathways and outcomes for young people after leaving care in Australia, based on a longitudinal study of young people ‘ageing’ out of care in New South Wales. Consistent with the findings of other research on the educational performance and attainment of children and young people in care, the young people leaving care in this study were less likely to have …
The Educational Outcomes of Young People 4–5 Years after Leaving Care: An Australian Perspective
Judy Cashmore, Marina Paxman and Michelle Townsend focus on the educational and employment pathways and outcomes for young people after leaving care in Australia, based on a longitudinal study of young people ‘ageing’ out of care in New South Wales. Consistent with the findings of other research on the educational performance and attainment of children and young people in care, the young people leaving care in this study were less likely to have …
Observing the Influence of Mindfulness and Attachment Styles Through Mother and Infant Interaction: A Longitudinal Study
The cross-generational influence of attachment security or insecurity on caregiving is well-established. Recently, research has focused on mindfulness as a potential variable to interrupt the transmission of insecure attachment and disrupt its effect across generations. Thirty-six pregnant female participants completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire and Relationship Questionnaire-Clinical Version at 30 weeks’ gestation. Following the i…
Covid ‐19: Impact on children living in out‐of‐home care and their carers
Children enter out‐of‐home care (OOHC) having experienced significant childhood adversities and trauma. Little is known about the short‐term impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on this vulnerable group. To gain some insights, we analysed the early impacts on the well‐being and experiences of children in OOHC and their carers using the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study data prior to and post the first lockdown restrictions. A total of 862 children,…
Maternal perinatal mental health: Associations with bonding, mindfulness, and self‐criticism at 18 months’ postpartum
The perinatal period is a time of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal mental health from pregnancy to 18 months’ postpartum. This study specifically analyzes maternal self‐criticism and mindfulness during pregnancy and at 18 months’ postpartum, and their associations with bonding. A longitudinal study (30 weeks’ gestation–18 months’ postpartum) assessed 32 mother–infant dyads, examining changes in maternal depression, anxie…
Top‐down and Bottom‐up: The Role of Social Information Processing and Mindfulness as Predictors in Maternal–infant Interaction
The cross‐generational transmission of attachment appears to reflect a complex interplay of factors, which have been challenging to identify. The current longitudinal study explored the maternal cognitive model of relationships through language use, maternal mindfulness, and attachment style assessed prenatally, as predictors of maternal response to distress and infant behavior at 6 months’ postpartum. Infant behavior to the mother also was exami…
The Educational Outcomes of Young People 4–5 Years after Leaving Care: An Australian Perspective
Judy Cashmore, Marina Paxman and Michelle Townsend focus on the educational and employment pathways and outcomes for young people after leaving care in Australia, based on a longitudinal study of young people ‘ageing’ out of care in New South Wales. Consistent with the findings of other research on the educational performance and attainment of children and young people in care, the young people leaving care in this study were less likely to have …
Observing the Influence of Mindfulness and Attachment Styles Through Mother and Infant Interaction: A Longitudinal Study
The cross-generational influence of attachment security or insecurity on caregiving is well-established. Recently, research has focused on mindfulness as a potential variable to interrupt the transmission of insecure attachment and disrupt its effect across generations. Thirty-six pregnant female participants completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire and Relationship Questionnaire-Clinical Version at 30 weeks’ gestation. Following the i…
Top‐down and Bottom‐up: The Role of Social Information Processing and Mindfulness as Predictors in Maternal–infant Interaction
The cross‐generational transmission of attachment appears to reflect a complex interplay of factors, which have been challenging to identify. The current longitudinal study explored the maternal cognitive model of relationships through language use, maternal mindfulness, and attachment style assessed prenatally, as predictors of maternal response to distress and infant behavior at 6 months’ postpartum. Infant behavior to the mother also was exami…
Maternal perinatal mental health: Associations with bonding, mindfulness, and self‐criticism at 18 months’ postpartum
The perinatal period is a time of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal mental health from pregnancy to 18 months’ postpartum. This study specifically analyzes maternal self‐criticism and mindfulness during pregnancy and at 18 months’ postpartum, and their associations with bonding. A longitudinal study (30 weeks’ gestation–18 months’ postpartum) assessed 32 mother–infant dyads, examining changes in maternal depression, anxie…
Parental Response Style to Adolescent Self-Harm: Psychological, Social and Functional Impacts
Adolescent self-harm is a significant public health issue. We aimed to understand how parent stress response styles to their child's self-harm affects their wellbeing and functioning and the wider family. Thirty-seven participants in Australia (parents; 92% female) completed a mixed methods survey regarding their adolescent child's self-harm. We conducted Pearson zero-order correlations and independent t -tests to examine the impact of parent res…
Mental health help seeking in young people and carers in out of home care: A systematic review
Antenatal mind-mindedness and its relationship to maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women
In this study, researchers aimed to investigate whether a relationship exists between maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and antenatal mind-mindedness in a sample of Australian pregnant women (n = 43). Participants completed the Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) in their second and third trimester, and a modified 'describe your baby' interview with the inclusion of general prompts as a measure of antenatal mind-mindedness in their third trimest…
A Systematic Review of Child to Parent Violence Interventions
Objective: To identify, appraise and synthesize research on the interventions used in child to parent violence. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using the electronic databases of PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL Full Text. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, three authors conducted the screening process which was implemented in two stages including screen…
Carer Peer Workers in Borderline Personality Services: Providing Reciprocal Understanding and Personal Strategies to Family Members
The value that carer peer workers may offer family members with lived experience of BPD has not been investigated thoroughly to date. This study aims to investigate the unique contributions of carer peer workers in supporting family members who care for consumers with BPD. Mixed method questionnaires were completed by family members, consumers, carer peer workers, and clinicians (N = 24) at five mental health services. Qualitative responses were …
Covid ‐19: Impact on children living in out‐of‐home care and their carers
Children enter out‐of‐home care (OOHC) having experienced significant childhood adversities and trauma. Little is known about the short‐term impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on this vulnerable group. To gain some insights, we analysed the early impacts on the well‐being and experiences of children in OOHC and their carers using the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study data prior to and post the first lockdown restrictions. A total of 862 children,…
“I Wasn’t Gonna Quit, but by Hook or by Crook I was Gonna Find a Way Through for the Kids”: A Narrative Inquiry, of Mothers and Practitioners, Exploring the Help-seeking of Mothers’ Experiencing Child…
‘He’s out of control, I’m out of control, it’s just – I’ve got to do something’: A narrative inquiry of child to parent violence
Families globally experience child to parent violence (CPV). Stories of CPV have been considered at an individual and collective level to ascertain themes in parents’ accounts to identify enabling and restraining factors for CPV. However, understanding the societal narratives, defined as discourses, which have a multi-directional and entangled relationship with individual recounts of CPV have yet to be investigated. This research utilizes Narrati…
Responding to suicidal behaviour in children and young people with a child maltreatment history: A scoping review
Child maltreatment affects millions of children internationally every year. Development is negatively impacted by maltreatment increasing the likelihood of maladaptive behaviours. Associations between child maltreatment and suicidal behaviour and suicide in young people has been established. However, there is a research gap in understanding effective ways to respond to and intervene with suicidal behaviour in young people who have experienced chi…
I Don't Know What I'd Do if My Kid Was Being Violent to Me, but These Parents Just Keep Pushing Through: A Narrative Inquiry of Practitioner Responses to Child to Parent Violence
Child to parent violence (CPV) is a serious concern. However, there is a paucity of research exploring practices for supporting families experiencing this violence. Many responses for CPV sit within a criminal justice setting and are underpinned by skill development and psychological approaches. This study is aimed at examining ‘What responses from services, including the conditions that enable responses, are identified as supportive for families…
The longitudinal network of peer problems and emotional symptoms among Australian adolescents: Bayesian structure learning of directed acyclic graphs
Adolescence is a period in which peer problems and emotional symptoms markedly increase in prevalence. However, the causal mechanisms regarding how peer problems cause emotional symptoms at a behavioral level and vice versa remain unknown. To address this gap, the present study investigated the longitudinal network of peer problems and emotional symptoms among Australian adolescents aged 12-14 years. Data were from the Longitudinal Study of Austr…
Adolescent mental health inpatient unit: The experience of caregivers
Culturally-Situated Trauma-Informed Practice within an Aboriginal Out of Home Care Program
In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 11 times more likely to be placed in Out of Home Care (OOHC) than non-Indigenous children. Connection to culture is acknowledged as essential to Aboriginal children’s wellbeing, which involves relational connection and facilitation by Aboriginal caseworkers, carers and Elders. Culturally-situated trauma-informed practice has been identified as an approach to effectively support Abor…
Psychology (14 works) · Medicine (10 works) · Developmental psychology (9 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (6 works) · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum (6 works) · Psychiatry (6 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Child Abuse and Trauma (5 works) · Mental health (5 works)