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Dooley, Barbara A.
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Dooley, Barbara A.
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Dooley, Barbara A.
Research Output
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Publication
Methodology on the My World Survey (MWS) : a unique window into the world of adolescents in Ireland
2013-02, Dooley, Barbara A., Fitzgerald, Amanda
Background
Internationally, 75% of all mental health problems emerge before the age of 25 years, and adolescence represents a critical period that strongly influences the course of these problems. To date, there is limited research on the mental health of young people aged 12–25 years in Ireland. The My World Survey (MWS) national study provides data on risk and protective factors of mental health among 14306 young people. The MWS was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 – MWS-Second Level (MWS-SL) with adolescents aged 12–19 years, and Phase 2 – MWS-Post Second Level among young adults aged 17–25 years.
Aim
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the MWS-SL study. Another aim is to identify key learning points when conducting research in the second-level school system.
Methods
The MWS-SL study was conducted with 6085 adolescents aged 12–19 years in 72 second-level schools. The MWS consists of standardized reliable and valid measures that have been used internationally to assess a range of risk and protective factors associated with adolescent mental health.
Results
Schools recruited for the MWS-SL study represented quite well the national distribution of second-level schools based on gender composition, disadvantaged/non-disadvantaged status and geographic location.
Conclusions
Key learning points when collecting survey data in schools include pilot testing of survey instruments; building relationships with key stakeholders to ensure buy-in for the study from schools; establishing rigorous data collection and processing protocols; and recognizing the value of online surveys.
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Prevalence and correlates of psychotic like experiences in a nationally representative community sample of adolescents in Ireland
2015-09, Dolphin, Louise, Dooley, Barbara A., Fitzgerald, Amanda
Adolescent psychotic like experiences (PLEs) are an important area of research, yet only a small number of community surveys have investigated their psychosocial correlates. This study presents the prevalence and correlates of three types of PLEs in a nationally representative community sample of 12–19 year olds in Ireland (N = 5910). Correlates are considered across five domains: demographic, stressful life experiences, emotional/behavioral problems, substance use, and personal resources. Auditory hallucinations were reported by 13.7% of participants, 10.4% reported visual hallucinations and 13.1% reported paranoid thoughts. Participants who had experienced two of the three PLEs were assigned “risk” status (10.4%; n = 616). Using binary logistic regression, PLEs were associated with a range of correlates across the five domains. Key correlates of risk status include depression (OR 4.07; 95% CI 3.39–4.88), low self-esteem (OR 4.03 95% CI 3.34–4.86), low optimism (OR 3.56; 95% CI 2.96–4.28), school misconduct (OR 3.10 95%; CI 2.56–3.75), and high avoidance coping (OR 2.86 95% CI 2.34–3.49). These associations remained significant in a multivariate analysis. While correlates for each of the three PLEs were similar, there were some nuances in these patterns. Notably, demographic and substance use variables were the weakest groups of correlates. Personal resources (e.g. self-esteem, optimism and coping) have been poorly studied in the adolescent PLE literature and these findings provide important insights for future research and intervention design.
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Interpersonal relationships and emotional distress in adolescence
2013-04, Kenny, Rachel, Dooley, Barbara A., Fitzgerald, Amanda
The aim of this study was to examine positive and negative qualities in
adolescents' interpersonal relationships and their relative importance
in predicting emotional distress. Participants were 260 students from
three schools in the Dublin area (119 girls; 141 boys), aged 12-18 years
(M = 15.32, SD = 1.91). Students completed
questionnaires assessing qualities in important interpersonal
relationships in their lives and emotional distress. Girls reported more
positive qualities in their relationships with mothers and best friends
than boys. Younger students reported more positive qualities in their
relationships with parents than older students. Stepwise multiple
regression analysis revealed high levels of satisfaction in
interpersonal relationships were predictive of low levels of emotional
distress whereas high levels of criticism and exclusion were predictive
of high levels of distress. High levels of support and disclosure were
also linked to emotional distress. These findings and their implications
are discussed in detail.
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My World Survey : National Study of Youth Mental Health in Ireland
2012-05, Dooley, Barbara A., Fitzgerald, Amanda
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Developing mental health mobile apps: Exploring adolescents' perspectives
2016-06-01, Kenny, Rachel, Dooley, Barbara A., Fitzgerald, Amanda
Mobile applications or 'apps' have significant potential for use in mental health interventions with adolescents. However, there is a lack of research exploring end users' needs from such technologies. The aim of this study was to explore adolescents' needs and concerns in relation to mental health mobile apps. Five focus groups were conducted with young people aged 15-16 years (N = 34, 60% male). Participants were asked about their views in relation to the use of mental health mobile technologies and were asked to give their responses to a mental health app prototype. Participants identified (1) safety, (2) engagement, (3) functionality, (4) social interaction, (5) awareness, (6) accessibility, (7) gender and (8) young people in control as important factors. Understanding end users' needs and concerns in relation to this topic will inform the future development of youth-oriented mental health apps that are acceptable to young people.
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Investigating the psychometric properties of the revised child anxiety and depression scale (RCADS) in a non-clinical sample of Irish adolescents
2018-02-15, Donnelly, Alanna, Fitzgerald, Amanda, Shevlin, Mark, Dooley, Barbara A.
Background: The psychometric properties of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) have been established cross-culturally, yet psychometric evidence is lacking for an English-speaking European population.
Aim: This research sought to further cross-validate the measure in a non-clinical Irish adolescent sample, and to test for gender and age-based differential item functioning in depression and anxiety.
Method: Participants were Irish second-level school students (N = 345; 164 male; 12–18 years, M =14.97, SD = 1.44). Confirmatory factor analysis for categorical data (confirmatory item factor analysis) and multiple-indicator multiple-cause (MIMIC) modelling to identify items displaying possible metric invariance were conducted.
Results: A six-factor model fit the data well in both gender samples and both school cycles, as a proxy for age samples. Gender-based metric invariance for 5 of 47 items and age-based metric invariance for three items were identified. However, the magnitudes were small. Internal consistency and validity were also established.
Conclusions: While, a number of items demonstrated minor metric invariance, there was no evidence that they influenced overall scores meaningfully. The RCADS can reasonably be used without adjustment in male and female, younger and older, adolescent samples. Findings have implications for the use of the RCADS in an English-speaking European population.
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Alcohol and youth mental health- The evidence base
2013, Fitzgerald, Amanda, Dooley, Barbara A.
The My World Survey- Second Level (MWS-SL) assessed alcohol-related behaviours
in 6,085 adolescents. Findings demonstrated a significant shift in the frequency, binge
drinking and volume of alcohol consumed across the school year. Alcohol use in the
Senior Cycle was a particular concern, with 35% outside the low risk category for
alcohol behaviour. The MWS-SL found a strong relationship between alcohol use and
mental health distress. Risky alcohol behaviour was associated with family conflict
and other negative behaviours