The Triple B Study: Bumps, Babies and Beyond is an innovative new Australian study of 1800-2000 families. The project is a longitudinal birth cohort which examines a wide range of biopsychosocial factors that relate to the health and development of Australian children and families. Importantly, the project has a key focus on examining the impacts of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in pregnant women and their partners during the prenatal period on infant development and family functioning. The results of this study will inform public health and treatment initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Australian children and families.
This project is sometimes referred to by its scientific title, 'The impact of parental alcohol, tobacco and other substance use on infant development and family functioning'.
The aims of this project are to:
This will be the first large-scale Australian cohort study to examine the effects of substance use in pregnant women and their partners during the prenatal period on infant development and family functioning. The impact of other factors such as social support, biological factors, income, parents’ emotional well-being, exercise, nutrition and temperament will also be examined. The research design involves a longitudinal birth cohort study, in which 1,800-2,000 pregnant women and their partners will be recruited during the prenatal period (conception to birth). Participants will be recruited though antenatal services attached to major hospitals in New South Wales and Western Australia. Participants will also be recruited through specialist drug and alcohol antenatal services.
Multi-method assessments will be utilised including interview, questionnaire and observational assessment measures in the prenatal period, at 8 weeks of age and at 12 months of age. Parents will be provided with the results of their infant’s 12 month development assessment (the Bayleys Infant Development Scales), which includes feedback and recommendations.
Over 1600 families have been recruited through antenatal clinics at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), the Royal Hospital for Women and Liverpool Hospital in NSW and King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth. We will shortly commence recruitment at Westmead Hospital. Four hundred and ninety families have completed the final 12 month follow up. This year we also followed-up 60 families in the pilot study whose children turned 3 years of age (Wave III follow-up of preschoolers). This was possible through the award of a Rotary Health Grant .
Published papers/abstracts:
2012:
Taylor, L., Hutchinson, D., Rapee, R., Burns, L., Stephens, C., & Haber, P. (2012). Clinical features and predictors of outcomes of mothers and newborn infants engaged with a specialist perinatal and family drug health service. Obstetrics and Gynecology International. Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 867265, 8 pages doi:10.1155/2012/867265.
2011:
Burns, L., Conroy, E., Moore, E., Hutchinson, D., Haber, P.S. (2011). Psychosocial characteristics and obstetric health of women attending a specialist substance use antenatal clinic in a large metropolitan hospital. International Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 2011, Article ID 729237, 7 pages, doi:10.1155/2011/729237
2010:
Burns, L., Maloney, E., Black, E., Hutchinson, D. (2010). (Abstract) Alcohol and parenting: What and where is the risk? Drug and Alcohol Review, 29 (Suppl. 1), pp. 76.
Kelly, E., Hutchinson, D., Mattick, R., Burns, L., Black, E. (2010). (Abstract) Substance use and mental health among pregnant women: correlates and consequences. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29 (Suppl. 1), pp. 75.
2009:
Hutchinson, D., Maloney, E., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., and Jacobs, S. (2009). (Abstract) What are the impacts of mothers and partners substance use during pregnancy? Assessing the psychosocial characteristics, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. Drug and Alcohol Review, 28 (Suppl. 1), pp. A31
Papers submitted:
Maloney, E., Conroy, E., Burns, L., Hutchinson, D. & Haber, P. (Under review). Drug use in pregnancy: Time to consider the mother. Paper submitted in special edition of Drug and Alcohol Review. Submitted Oct 2010
Conference presentations and posters:
2012:
Honan, I., Hutchinson, D., Wilson, J., Brann, S., Bucello, C., Gomez, M., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olsson, C., Bartu, A. The Triple B Study: The relationship between pregnancy planning, parental substance use and Maternal Foetal Attachment. . Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Melbourne, Australia. November, 2012.
Bucello, C., Fielder, H., Hutchinson, D., Wilson J., Honan, I., Brann, S., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Sanson, A., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olsson, C., Shand, F., McBride, N.(2012) The Triple B Study: Pilot data on the association between drug and alcohol use in pregnancy and child development at one and three years of age. Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Melbourne, Australia. 18 -21 November, 2012.
Brann, S.,Hutchinson, D., Wilson, J., Bucello, C., Honan, I., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olsson, C., Bartu, A. (2012). The Triple B Study: The relationship of maternal stress in pregnancy with drug and alcohol use, psychosocial functioning, maternal anxiety and lifetime mental health.Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Melbourne, Australia. 18-21 November, 2012.
2011:
Bleeker, A., Cassar, J., Campbell G., Hutchinson, D., Dewberry, L., Gomez, M., Honan, I., Bucello, C., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olssen, C., Bartu, A. (2011). The Association Between Maternal and Partner Drug and Alcohol Use During Pregnancy in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort of Australian Families. Oral Presentation at the Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Hobart, Australia, 13-16 November 2011.
Dewberry, L., Bucello, C., Cassar, J., Campbell, G., Hutchinson, D., Gomez, M., Honan, I., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olssen, C., Bartu, A. (2011). The Relationship Between Current Stress Indices And Maternal Alcohol And Other Drug Use During Pregnancy. Oral Presentation at the Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Hobart, Australia, 13-16 November 2011.
Gumbert, T., Campbell, G., Honan, I., Hutchinson, D., Dewberry, L., Cassar, J., Bucello, C., Gomez, M., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olssen, C., Bartu, A. (2011). A detailed study of no, low, moderate and high maternal drug and alcohol use during pregnancy. Poster presentation at the Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Hobart, Australia, 13-16 November 2011.
2010:
Burns, L., Maloney, E., Black, E., Hutchinson, D. (2010). Alcohol and parenting: What and where is the risk? The Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference, Canberra, 28 Nov - 1 Dec 2010 (Abstract published).
Kelly, E., Hutchinson, D., Mattick, R., Burns, L. & Black, E. Substance use and mental health among pregnant women: Correlates and consequences. Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, Canberra, 28 Nov - 1 Dec 2010. (Abstract published).
Taylor, L. (2010) Pregnancy and drug use: An exploration of treatment seeking women and their infants. Macquarie University Research Festival, December 2010.
2009:
Burns, L., Conroy, E., Maloney, E., Hutchinson, D., Haber, P. (2009) Substance use in marginalised populations: pregnant women and the homeless. Paper presented at the Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs; Darwin, 1-4 November 2009.
Hutchinson, D., Maloney, E., Mattick, R. P., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S. (2009) Parental substance use during pregnancy: Assessing maternal psychosocial characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Poster presented at Australasian Professional Society of Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Darwin, 1-4 November 2009. (Abstract published).
Taylor, L. (2009) Pregnancy and drug use: An exploration of treatment seeking women and their infants. Macquarie University Research Festival, December 2009.
Presentations and talks given to services, NDARC seminars, etc.
2011:
Campbell, G., Honan, I., Hutchinson, D., Mattick, R.M., Allsop, S., Najman, J.M., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olssen, C. & Bartu, A. (2011). An examination of lifetime and current illicit substance use in a sample of non-frequent users. Poster presented at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, Sydney, 30 August 2011.
Dewberry, L., Cassar, J., Bucello, C., Hutchinson, D., Campbell, G., Honan, I., Mattick, R.M., Allsop, S., Najman, J.M., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olssen, C. & Bartu, A. (2011). Parental Alcohol Use, Relationship Quality and Spousal Abuse During Pregnancy. Poster presented at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, Sydney, 30 August 2011.
Hutchinson, D., Maloney, E. ,Mattick, R.M., Allsop, S., Najman, J.M., Elliott, E., Burns, L. (2011). Parental Substance Use during Pregnancy: Assessing maternal psychosocial characteristics, obstetrics and neonatal outcomes. Poster presented at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, Sydney, 30 August 2011.
Hutchinson, D. Taylor, L., Moore, E., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L., Jacobs, S., Olsson, C., Bartu, A. (2011) Parental substance use during pregnancy: Assessing maternal characteristics and infant development. Oral presentation at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Annual Symposium, Sydney, 30 August 2011.
2010:
Black, E. Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning, presentation given at Midwifery Group Inservice at Royal Hospital for Women, 19th May 2010
Black, E. Campbell, G. Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning, presentation given to staff of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 7 June 2010.
Black, E. Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning,presentation given to Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, August 2010.
Burns, L., Conroy, E., Maloney, E. Hutchinson, D. Drug use in marginalised populations. Lecture to graduate nursing students. University of Technology. 14 April 2010.
Burns, L., Conroy, E., Maloney, E., Hutchinson, D. Meeting of the minds. Researching drug use in marginalised population. SWSAHS Drug and Alcohol Services. Kogarah, 19 May, 2010.
Campbell, G. Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning, presentation given to Newborn Care at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, July 2010.
Hutchinson, D., Mattick, R., Allsop, S., Najman, J., Elliott, E., Burns, L. & Jacobs, S. Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning. The Triple B Study: Bumps, Babies and Beyond. NDARC, October 2010.
2009:
Burns, L., Maloney, E., Conroy, E., Hutchinson, D. Maternal and neonatal impacts of substance use in pregnancy. Paper presented at Langton Treatment Centre ‘Meeting of the Minds’ Series, 19 May 2009.
Other:
2011:
2010:
The Triple B Study: Bumps, Babies and Beyond. Participant Newsletter, December 2010.
Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning - Study description in Cannabis Cohort Research Consortium Newsletter, Issue 5, July 2010.
Impact of Parental Substance Use on Infant Development and Family Functioning – Project Notes, Centrelines, 26, February 2010.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00D98G
ABN 57 195 873 179
T +61 (2) 9385 0333
F +61 (2) 9385 0222
E ndarc@unsw.edu.au
NDARC
University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
Randwick Campus
22 - 32 King Street
Randwick NSW 2031
