Research Projects and Published Articles
Book - "Mental Health in Children & Adolescents" - A Guide for Teachers.
Authors: Dr. Sarah Buckley, Dr. Blanaid Gavin, Prof. Fiona McNicholas.
Research Projects
Genetic Study of Selective Mutism.
McNicholas, F., Sharkey, L. Application in progress June 2011
Caregiver’s evaluation of a parent-child psychotherapy intervention for attachment difficulties in middle childhood.
Conlon, Andrea Research commenced June 2011
The Incredible Years parent Training Programme; Behavioural and Emotional Change in Children of Attendees as Viewed by Multiple Informants.
Conlon, Andrea. Research commenced Nov. 2010
Evaluating a parent training programme for parents of adolescent spresenting to a child and adolescent mental health service.
Lynch, Aideen. Research commenced April 2010
What are the lived experiences of adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders from primary to secondary school.
Lamb, K. (Lucena) & Cremin Katie (TCD) Research commenced April 2010
Assessment of Mental health promotion in Irish Schools.
O’Keeffe. N. Gavin, B. Corbett S. Research commenced March 2010
Published Articles
Buckley, H. & McGarry, J. (2006). Waiting List Initiatives in Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services. Irish Psychologist, 33.
Cassidy, C., Lennon, R., Doherty, M.; Adamson,N; Tobin, B., & McNicholas, F. (2009).
Deliberate Self Harm (DSH): Long term outcome in Irish Children. Irish Medical Journal,
102, 102-110.
Abstract : Abstract
This study aimed to look at rates of repetition in children presenting with
Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) to a paediatric A&E department. Children presenting with
DSH to a paediatric A&E between 2000 and 2005 were invited to participate in the
study. Telephone interviews collected information on demographic details and mental
health functioning, including repetition of DSH. Data was obtained from 39 parents
and 10 children (31 girls and 8 boys, mean age 15) 1 in 5 females (20%) had made a
repeat attempt of DSH and 1 in 10 (10%) had repeated more than once. No males
repeated self-harm. On going parental concern rather than clinician risk assessment
at index episode predicted subsequent DSH. Given the poor predictive value of
clinician risk assessment, all attempts of DSH must be
Johnson, K. A., Barry, E., Bellgrove, M., Cox, M., Kelly, S., Daibhis, A., Daly, M., Keavey,
M., Watchorn, A., Fitzgerald, M., McNicholas, F., Kirley, A., Robertson, I., Gill M. (2008).
Dissociation in response to methylphenidate on response variability in a group of medication
naive children with ADHD. Neuropsychologia, 46(5): 1532-1541.
McGarry, J., McNicholas, F., Buckley H., Kelly B. (2008). The clinical effectiveness of a
Brief Consultation and Advisory approach compared to Treatment as Usual in Child and
Adolescent Mental Health Services: A Pilot Study. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry,
13: 365-376
Abstract : A brief consultation and advice (BCA) approach to dealing with routine referrals
was introduced into a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) over
an 18-month period. This is a time-limited, client-centred and solution-focused
approach to dealing with common non-complex referrals. The model proposes that
all families are seen for an initial ‘consultation’ appointment followed by a
maximum of two further appointments. A randomized controlled study compared
the clinical effectiveness of BCA treatment with treatment as usual (TAU) over a
6-month period. The parents of children referred to CAMHS were eligible to
participate if their child was deemed ‘non-complex’. Ethical approval was granted
by the relevant ethics committee. Families who consented to participate in the
study were randomly allocated to either the BCA or TAU group. Sixty children
enrolled in the study. Both groups showed improvements on a number of variables
at 3 months post treatment, but only those receiving BCA showed continued
improvement at 6 months. Participants in both groups showed high levels of satisfaction
with the treatment received. Participants in the TAU group expressed
McGarry J, McNicholas F, Buckley H, Atkin, L and Ross N (2007). Exploring a brief
consultation and advisory approach to non complex referrals in Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services. Clinical Psychology Forum, 172, 27-31.
McNicholas, F., O’Connor N., et al (2011). Looked after children in Dublin and their mental health needs. Irish Medical Journal 104 (4) 105-108
McNicholas, F., Lennon, R., McCourt, M., O’Connor, N., Coakley, S., Doyle P. & Byrne, G.
(2010). Parent information evenings: filling a gap in Irish child & adolescent mental health
services? Irish Medical Journal, 103 (2), 37-38.
Abstract: It is estimated that 20% of children experience psychological problems at any one time. 1 Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Ireland are under-resourced. Recent economic downturn has hindered the possibility of increased funding to alleviative these deficits. It is
now imperative that mental health professionals create innovative and cost effective solutions to promote positive mental health. Recent literature has focused on the benefits of self delivered parenting programmes, with minimal costs incurred. 2,3 Based on the developing evidence supporting self directed approaches, the Lucena Foundation has initiated a series of parent information evenings. These evenings are offered on a monthly basis, and are free to attend. To date 1,538 parents have attended. Feedback from parents has been very positive with 80.5% of them finding them useful or very useful™. Further longitudinal research into these
McNicholas F, O’Sullivan, M., Lennon, R, Doherty, M., Adamson, N. (2010). Deliberate Self Harm (DSH) in Children: The Significance of Out of Hours Presentations. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 27 (1), 11-14.
Abstract: To retrospectively examine the case-notes of all children and adolescents admitted with deliberate self-harm (DSH) or suicidal ideation during the study period 1993-2003. The study aimed to identify underlying reasons as to why children and adolescents engage in DSH, and to identify common psychiatric, psychosocial and familial factors which may predispose or contribute to an individual's engagement in such behaviour.
McNicholas F, Lydon A, Lennon R, & Dooley B. (2009). Eating Concerns and Media
Influences in an Irish Adolescent Context. European Eating Disorders Review, 17, 208-223.
Abstract : Eating disorders are a common and serious condition having a peak age of onset during adolescence (Brewerton, Lydiard, Ballenger, & Herzog, 1993). The prevalence rates in adolescent females may have increased over recent years and there is some evidence that the slim physique portrayed in the media plays a significant role in the development of eating pathology (Becker, Burwell, Gilman, Herzog, & Hamburg, 2002). Despite receiving increased attention in recent years in the psychiatric literature internationally, there is little information on either the prevalence rate or associated
risk factors of eating disorders in Ireland, or the views of both adolescents and their parents on the role of the media in terms of body satisfaction
McNicholas, F., Motola F. (2007). Transient Ischaemic Attack in a child on Risperidone and
Clonidine. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(12),
1530-1531.
Mulligan A, McNicholas F, Moran T. (2008). Routine investigations in paediatric
psychopharmacology: Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine 25 (1), 11-16.
Murrin, C.; McNicholas, F.; Keogh, L.; Shiely, F.; Corrigan, H., & NicGabhainn, S.,
Kelleher, C.C. (2007). Correlates of Increased Risk of ED in Irish School Children Irish
Medical Journal 100, No. 8, 40-42 Sept 2007.
Noctor, C. (2006). Putting Harry Potter on the Couch. Clinical Child Psychology and
Psychiatry, 11, 579-589.
Sharkey, L. & McNicholas, F. (2006). Female Monozygotic Twins with Selective Mutism -
case report. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, 129-132.
Sharkey L, Begley M & McNicholas F, Barry E. (2008). Group Therapy for Selective
Mutism: A parent's and children's treatment group. Journal of Behavioural Paediatrics and
Experimental Psychiatry, 27(2): 129-132.
Books
Healy, E. (2010). Behavioral outcome of preterm birth in childhood and adolescence. Book
Chapter In ‘Developmental Outcomes of Preterm Birth’, Eds, Nosarti, C., Robin, Murray, M.,
Hack, M.; Cambridge University Press 2010
Mental Health in Children & Adolescents. (2009)
Buckley, S., Gavin, B. McNicholas F.
Title: Children's Rights in Hospital- Is Ireland following the European Charter?
Author: Dr. Maria E. Migone, Lucena Clinic, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland.
Prof. Fiona Mc Nicholas, Lucena Clinic, Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland.
Ruth Lennon, 3rd Year Psychology student, Dublin Business School, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract: In 1996 the European Association for Children in Hospital established a charter of rights setting out the guiding principles for the treatment of children in hospital. The aim of this study was to ascertain the views of children, parents and staff in relation to these children's rights. The findings suggest that children, parents and staff are concerned with the lack of facilities in hospital, including parental accommodation, age appropriate wards and lack of privacy. Many staff felt children undergo unnecessary admission and treatment in hospital. The majority of children and parents were happy with the relationship they had with staff. Contrary to expectations, clinicians were reluctant to consider children under 16 as capable of giving consent, and parents and children felt children should be over 17 and 18 respectively. This paper highlights areas amenable to change to closer approximate the rights of children as set out in the EACH Charter.
Title: More than 100 years of silence - Elective Mutism, a review of the literature.
Author: Sharkey L., McNicholas F.
Source: European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2007) (In press)
Title: Selective Mutism - a parent's and children's treatment group
Author: Sharkey L., McNicholas F, Begley M, Barry E.
Source: Journal of Behavioural Paediatrics and Experimental Psychiatry2008 (In press)
Title: Female Monozygotic Twins with Selective Mutism: a case report.
Author: Sharkey L., McNicholas F.
Source: Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics (2006) 27 (2) 129-133.
Title: Female Monozygotic Twins with Selective Mutism author's reply.
Author: Sharkey L., McNicholas F.
Source: Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics (2006), 27 (5) 426-427.
Title: The Elective Mutism Manual - a guide for parents, teachers, clinicians and the child.
Author: Sharkey L., McNicholas F.
Source: MAC Communications: 2004.