Brighter Beginnings First 2000 Days Summit
Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo
Child and family health researcher and psychologist at Deakin University’s Centre
Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo is a child and family health researcher and psychologist at Deakin University’s Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED) in the School of Psychology. She leads a productive life course epidemiological and clinical intervention research program focused on optimising the mental health of children and families affected by social adversity and intergenerational trauma. She is particularly passionate about men’s health in early fatherhood, and family-based interventions in the early years of children’s lives to prevent and disrupt intergenerational cycles of poor health within families. Her research been enabled by partnerships with community health services supporting children and their families, and informed by 10 years’ experience as a psychologist working with children and families in educational, hospital and community health settings.
Abstract
Effective interventions to increase father-inclusive practice in community and acute settings
The need to actively engage fathers, partners and non-birthing parents in antenatal and child health settings has been recognised in Australia and internationally. In 2021 the NSW Ministry of Health commissioned a review of the evidence for father-inclusive practices and interventions in antenatal, birthing and child health settings. Although the Ministry’s interest extended to inclusive practice with all partners and co-parents, research into the engagement of non-birthing parents and caregivers that do not identify with the role of fathers was limited.
Thirty-six studies were identified. Father-inclusive innovations were grouped into: (a) co-parenting interventions, (b) father-specific interventions embedded into standard care for mothers, (c) father-focused interventions, and (d) professional development initiatives. The evidence was strongest for co-parenting interventions. The review highlighted significant evidence gaps, pointing to the need for effective: a) frameworks and tools to strengthen health service capacity to implement father-inclusive practices, and (b) professional development for health professionals and the emerging workforce.
NSW Health acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land across NSW, whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land.
We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.