Associate Professor Liana Leach
Areas of expertise
- Mental Health 111714
- Epidemiology 111706
- Family And Household Studies 160301
Research interests
Dr Leach is a research fellow in the Society, Culture and Health research stream at The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH). Her research interests include examining the impact of family and work circumstances on mental health. Her work involves the translation of mental health research for public policy and practice.
Biography
Dr Leach completed an undergraduate Honours degree in Applied Psychology at The University of Canberra in 2003. Since this time, she has undertaken research projects with the Australian Demographic Social Research Institute (ADSRI) and the Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) at The Australian National University. Dr Leach completed her PhD at the CMHR titled 'Gender differences in depression and anxiety across the adult lifespan' in 2009. She has published her work in several high quality academic journals as well as national and international conferences.
Researcher's projects
Dr Leach uses a number of longitudinal, population-based surveys in her work to examine associations between changes in social factors (e.g. work and family life transitions) and changes in mental health. For example, Dr Leach's research has examined how changes in job characteristics impact on mental health, and how becoming a parent impacts on mental health.
Her work has utilised:
- Personality and Total Health Through Life survey (PATH)
- Household Income Labour and Dynamics in Australia survey (HILDA)
- National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Australian (NSMHWB)
- Growing up in Australia: Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC)
Available student projects
Masters and PhD students interested in studying the development of common mental disorders using survey data are encouraged to contact Dr Leach to discuss potential projects.
Publications
- Banwell, C, Williamson Smith, R, Batterham, P et al. 2023, 'Liminality and insecurity: A qualitative study of young adults' vulnerabilities during the first twelve months of COVID-19 in Australia', SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, vol. 3, pp. 1-9.
- Zhao, Y, Leach, L, Walsh, E et al. 2022, 'COVID-19 and mental health in Australia – a scoping review', BMC Public Health, vol. 22, no. 1200.
- Cherbuin, N, Walsh, E, Leach, L et al. 2022, 'Systemic Inflammation Predicts Alzheimer Pathology in Community Samples without Dementia', Biomedicines, vol. 10, no. 6.
- Williamson Smith, R, Banwell, C, Calear, A et al. 2022, 'Bushfire Smoke in Our Eyes: Community Perceptions and Responses to an Intense Smoke Event in Canberra, Australia', Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 10, pp. 1-11.
- Williamson Smith, R, Banwell, C, Calear, A et al. 2022, 'I didn't feel safe inside": navigating public health advice, housing and living with bushfire smoke', Critical Public Health, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 1-12.
- Macdonald, J, Graeme, L, Wynter, K et al. 2021, 'How are you sleeping? Starting the conversation with fathers about their mental health in the early parenting years', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 281, pp. 727-737.
- Anstey, K, Butterworth, P, Christensen, H et al. 2021, 'Cohort Profile Update: The PATH Through Life Project', International Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 35-36f.
- Too, L, Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2021, 'Cumulative impact of high job demands, low job control and high job insecurity on midlife depression and anxiety: a prospective cohort study of Australian employees', Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 78, no. 6, pp. 400-408.
- Doan, T, Ha, V, Leach, L et al. 2021, 'Mental health: who is more vulnerable to high work intensity? Evidence from Australian longitudinal data', International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 94, no. 7, pp. 1591ââ¬â1604.
- Livingston, J, Youssef, G, StGeorge, J et al. 2021, 'Paternal coping and psychopathology during the perinatal period: A mixed studies systematic review and meta-analysis', Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 86, pp. 1-14.
- Zhao, Y, Cooklin, A, Butterworth, P et al. 2021, 'How does working nonstandard hours impact psychological resources important for parental functioning? Evidence from an Australian longitudinal cohort study', SSM - Population Health, vol. 16.
- Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2020, 'Depression and anxiety in early adulthood: consequences for finding a partner, and relationship support and conflict', Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, vol. 29, no. e141, pp. 1-9.
- Dinh, H, Martin, A, Leach, L et al. 2020, 'Is Self-Employment a Good Option? Gender, Parents and the Work-Family Interface', Sex Roles, vol. 84, pp. 731ââ¬â746.
- Leach, L, Too, L, Batterham, P et al 2020, 'Workplace bullying and suicidal ideation: Findings from an australian longitudinal cohort study of mid-aged workers', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 1448, pp. 1-12.
- Too, L, Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2020, 'Mental Health Problems and Internet Access: Results From an Australian National Household Survey', JMIR Mental Health, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 1-11.
- Doan, T, Strazdins, L & Leach, L 2020, 'Cost of poor health to the labour market returns to education in Australia: another pathway for socio-economic inequality', European Journal of Health Economics, vol. 21, pp. 635-648.
- Hokke, S, Bennetts , S, Crawford, S et al. 2020, 'Does flexible work 'work' in Australia? A survey of employed mothers' and fathers' work, family and health', Community, Work and Family, vol. 24, no. 4.
- Leach, L, Dinh, H, Cooklin, A et al. 2020, 'Australian parents' work-family conflict: accumulated effects on children's family environment and mental health', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. Online .
- Too, L, Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2020, 'Is the association between poor job control and common mental disorder explained by general perceptions of control? Findings from an Australian longitudinal cohort', Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 311-320.
- Zhao, Y, Cooklin, A, Richardson, A et al. 2020, 'Parents' Shift Work in Connection with Work-Family Conflict and Mental Health: Examining the Pathways for Mothers and Fathers', Journal of Family Issues, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 445-473.
- Ramakrishna, S, Cooklin, A & Leach, L 2019, 'Comorbid anxiety and depression: a community-based study examining symptomology and correlates during the postpartum period', Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 468-479.
- Zhao, Y, Richardson, A, Poyser, C et al 2019, 'Shift work and mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis', International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 92, no. 6, pp. 763-793.
- Leach, L, Bennetts, S, Giallo, R et al 2019, 'Recruiting fathers for parenting research using online advertising campaigns: Evidence from an Australian study.', Child: Care, Health and Development, vol. Online.
- Batterham, P, Walker, J, Leach, L et al 2018, 'A longitudinal test of the predictions of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behaviour for passive and active suicidal ideation in a large community-based cohort', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 227, pp. 97-102.
- Leach, L 2018, 'There remains a need for greater awareness and further research on fathers' stress in the perinatal period', Evidence-based nursing, vol. 21, no. 3, p. 1.
- Butterworth, P & Leach, L 2018, 'Early Onset of Distress Disorders and High-School Dropout: Prospective Evidence From a National Cohort of Australian Adolescents', American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 187, no. 6, pp. 1192-1198pp.
- Bennetts , S, Hokke, S, Crawford, S et al. 2018, 'Using Paid and Free Facebook Methods to Recruit Australian Parents to an Online Survey: An Evaluation', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. e11206.
- Butterworth, P & Leach, L 2018, 'Early Onset of Distress Disorders and High-School Dropout: Prospective Evidence From a National Cohort of Australian Adolescents', American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 187, no. 6, pp. 1192-1198.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Poyser, C et al. 2017, 'Online recruitment: feasibility, cost, & representativeness in a study of postpartum women', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 19, no. 3.
- Leach, L, Poyser, C & Butterworth, P 2017, 'Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review', Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 72-79pp.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Poyser, C et al. 2017, 'Online Recruitment: Feasibility, Cost, and Representativeness in a Study of Postpartum Women', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 5pps.
- Dinh, H, Cooklin, A, Leach, L et al 2017, 'Parents' transitions into and out of work-family conflict and children's mental health: Longitudinal influence via family functioning', Social Science and Medicine, vol. 194, pp. 42-50.
- Leach, L, Poyser, C & Butterworth, P 2017, 'Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review', Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 72-79pp.
- Leach, L, Poyser, C & Fairweather-Schmidt, A 2017, 'Maternal perinatal anxiety: A review of prevalence and correlates', Clinical Psychologist, vol. Article first published online: 21: p.4-19.
- Leach, L, Poyser, C, Cooklin, A et al 2016, 'Prevalence and course of anxiety disorders (and symptom levels) in men across the perinatal period: A systematic review', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 190, pp. 675-686.
- Cooklin, A, Dinh, H, Strazdins, L et al 2016, 'Change and stability in work-family conflict and mothers' and fathers' mental health: Longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort', Social Science and Medicine, vol. 155, pp. 24-34.
- McKetin, R, Gardner, J, Baker, A et al 2016, 'Correlates of transient versus persistent psychotic symptoms among dependent methamphetamine users', Psychiatry Research, vol. 238, pp. 166-171.
- Crowe, L, Butterworth, P & Leach, L 2016, 'Financial hardship, mastery and social support: Explaining poor mental health amongst the inadequately employed using data from the HILDA survey', SSM - Population Health, vol. 2, pp. 407-415.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L & Kiely, K 2015, 'Why it's important for it to stop:Examining the mental health correlates of bullying and ill-treatment at work in a cohort study', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, pp. 1-11.
- Yiengprugsawan, V., Leach, L., Berecki-Gisolf, J. et al 2016. 'Caregiving and mental health among workers: Longitudinal evidence from a large cohort of adults in Thailand', SSM - Population Health, vol. 2, pp. 149-154.
- Leach, L 2015, 'Blogs from 11 expectant first-time fathers reveal both excitement and fears in their new role', Evidence-based nursing, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 69-.
- Cooklin, A, Giallo, R, Strazdins, L et al 2015, 'What matters for working fathers? Job characteristics, work-family conflict and enrichment, and fathers' postpartum mental health in an Australian cohort', Social Science and Medicine, vol. 146, no. 2015, pp. 214-222.
- Kiely, K, Leach, L, Olesen, S et al 2015, 'How financial hardship is associated with the onset of mental health problems over time', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 909-918.
- Leach, L, Mackinnon, A, Poyser, C et al. 2015, 'Depression and anxiety in expectant and new fathers: Longitudinal findings in Australian men', British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 206, no. 6, pp. 471-478.
- Leach, L, Olesen, S, Butterworth, P et al 2014, 'New Fatherhood and Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Study of Australian Men', American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 180, no. 6, pp. 582-589.
- Leach, L, Christensen, H & Mackinnon, A 2014, 'Pregnancy and levels of depression and anxiety: A prospective cohort study of Australian women', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 48, no. 10, pp. 944-951.
- Fairweather-Schmidt, A, Leach, L, Butterworth, P et al 2014, 'Infertility problems and mental health symptoms in a community-based sample: depressive symptoms among infertile men, but not women', International Journal of Mental Health, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 75-91.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L & Kiely, K 2013, The relationship between work characteristics, wellbeing, depression and workplace bullying: Summary Report.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L & Kiely, K 2013, The relationship between work characteristics, wellbeing, depression and workplace bullying: Technical findings from a survey of 32-36 year old workers in Canberra and Queanbeyan.
- Butterworth, P, Olesen, S & Leach, L 2013, 'Socioeconomic differences in antidepressant use in the PATH through life study: Evidence of health inequalities, prescribing bias, or an effective social safety net?', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 149, no. 1-3, pp. 75-83.
- Olesen, S, Butterworth, P, Leach, L et al 2013, 'Mental health affects future employment as job loss affects mental health: Findings from a longitudinal population study', BMC Psychiatry, vol. 13.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Olesen, S et al 2013, 'Relationship quality and levels of depression and anxiety in a large population-based survey', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 417-425.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L, McManus, S et al 2013, 'Common mental disorders, unemployment and psychosocial job quality: is a poor job better than no job at all?', Psychological Medicine, vol. 43, no. 8, pp. 1763-1772.
- Leach, L 2012, 'REVIEW MAJOR DEPRESSION AFFECTS ABOUT 7 OF ADULTS AGED 75 AND ABOVE', Evidence-Based Mental Health, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 64-.
- Strazdins, L, Shipley, M, Leach, L et al 2012, 'The way families work: jobs, hours, income and children's well-being', in A. Kalil, R. Haskins and J. Chesters (ed.), Investing in Children: Work, Education, and Social Policy in Two Rich Countries, Brookings Institution Press, Washington D.C., pp. 79-99.
- Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2012, 'The effect of early onset common mental disorders on educational attainment in Australia', Psychiatry Research, vol. 199, no. 1, pp. 51-57.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P & Whiteford, H 2012, 'Private health insurance, mental health and service use in Australia', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 468-475.
- Butterworth, P, Olesen, S & Leach, L 2012, 'The role of hardship in the association between socio-economic position and depression', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 364-373.
- Leach, L & Butterworth, P 2012, 'Psychosocial adversities at work are associated with poorer quality marriage-like relationships', Journal of Population Research, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 351-372.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L & Olesen, S 2012, Feeling safe, stable and secure. Having a home.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L, Pirkis, J et al 2012, 'Poor mental health influences risk and duration of unemployment: a prospective study', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 1013-1021.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L & Olesen, S 2012, 'mental health in the suburbs: an investigation of differences in the prevalence of depression across Canberra suburbs using data from the PATH through Life Study', Journal of Public Health, pp. 1-7.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L, Rodgers, B et al 2011, 'Psychosocial job adversity and health in Australia: analysis of data from the HILDA Survey', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 564-571.
- Butterworth, P, Leach, L, Strazdins, L et al 2011, 'The psychosocial quality of work determines whether employment has benefits for mental health: Results from a longitudinal national household panel survey', Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 68, no. 11, pp. 806-812.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Rodgers, B et al 2010, 'Deriving an evidence-based measure of job quality from the HILDA survey', Australian Social Policy, vol. 9, pp. 67-86.
- Olesen, S, Butterworth, P & Leach, L 2010, 'Prevalence of self-management versus formal service use for common mental disorders in Australia: Findings from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 44, no. 9, pp. 823-830.
- Christensen, H, Leach, L & Mackinnon, A 2010, 'Cognition in pregnancy and motherhood: Prospective cohort study', British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 196, no. 2, pp. 126-132.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Strazdins, L et al 2010, 'The limitations of employment as a tool for social inclusion', BMC Public Health, vol. 10, no. 621, pp. 1-13.
- Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Rodgers, B et al. 2010, Pathways to social inclusion: considering the relationship between unemployment, job quality and personal disadvantage.
- Griffiths, K, Banfield, M & Leach, L 2010, 'Mental Health research in The Lancet: A case study', Journal of Mental Health, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 17-25.
- Leach, L & Rickwood, D 2009, 'The Impact of School Bullying on Adolescents' Psychosocial Resources and Help-Seeking Intentions', Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, vol. 2, no. 2, p. 10.
- Burgess, N, Christensen, H, Leach, L et al. 2008, 'Mental health profile of callers to a generalist telephone counselling service', Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 42-47.
- Leach, L, Christensen, H & Mackinnon, A 2008, 'Gender differences in the endorsement of symptoms for depression and anxiety: Are gender biased items responsible?', Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 196, no. 2, pp. 128-135.
- Leach, L, Christensen, H, Mackinnon, A et al 2008, 'Gender differences in depression and anxiety across the adult lifespan: the role of psychosocial mediators', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 43, pp. 983-998.
- Farrer, L, Leach, L, Griffiths, K et al. 2008, 'Age differences in mental health literacy', BMC Public Health, vol. 8, no. 125, p. 8.
- Christensen, H, Anstey, K, Leach, L et al. 2008, 'Intelligence, Education, and the Brain Reserve Hypothesis', in Fergus Craik, Timothy Salthouse (ed.), The Handbook of Aging and Cognition (3rd ed), Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom, pp. 133-189.
- Leach, L, Christensen, H, Griffiths, K et al. 2007, 'Websites as a mode of delivering mental health information: perceptions from the Australian public', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 167-172.
- Cherbuin, N, Leach, L, Christensen, H et al 2007, 'Neuroimaging and APOE Genotype: A systemic qualitative review.', Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 348-362.
- Leach, L & Christensen, H 2006, 'A systemic review of telephone-based interventions for mental disorders', Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 122-129.
- Christensen, H, Leach, L, Barney, L et al. 2006, 'The effect of web-based depression interventions on self reported help seeking: randomised control trial', BMC Psychiatry, vol. 6, no. 13, pp. 1-11.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- The Great Disruption of COVID-19: Re-imagining the work-family interface (Secondary Investigator)
- Karralika Research Services Project (Secondary Investigator)
- External Evaluation of ACT Health's 'Chat to Pat' (Pathways to Assistance and Treatment) (Secondary Investigator)
- Justice Counselling Service Program Evaluation (Secondary Investigator)
- Mental health analysis and modelling (Secondary Investigator)
- Mental Health Modelling and COVID-19 (Secondary Investigator)
- Randomised controlled trial of a transdiagnostic online program to reduce the symptoms of mental illness in Australian tertiary students (Secondary Investigator)
- Digging Deeper: Exploring the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on social connectedness and mental health (Secondary Investigator)
- Addressing the hour-glass ceiling: New case for action on gender equality (Secondary Investigator)
- Identifying the psychosocial conditions of 'work athome' caring for an infant - what are the potentiallinks with postnatal depression and anxiety? (Primary Investigator)
- Mental health and the PATH to midlife (Secondary Investigator)
- Work family conflict, work family enrichment and their significance for children's mental health (Secondary Investigator)
- Work Well Being Project (Secondary Investigator)
- The impact of pregnancy and early fatherhood in Australian men's mental health (Primary Investigator)
- Evaluating the impact of work and family stressors on the development of Common Mental Disorders in Australia (Primary Investigator)
- The social costs of adolescent mental health problems in Australia: educational disruption and longer term social exclusion (Secondary Investigator)
