Dr Lauren Kelada
Research Associate

Dr Lauren Kelada

PhD in psychology - Monash University

First Class Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Monash University

Medicine & Health
School of Clinical Medicine

Dr Lauren Kelada is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with the Behavioural Sciences Unit (BSU), School of Women’s and Children’s Health at UNSW Sydney and the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Dr Kelada is the Team Leader of the Family Systems and Relationships team of the BSU and leads a busy team of eight (a research fellow, three research officers and four students). Dr Kelada's research focuses on improving family functioning and mental health outcomes for family members affected by child chronic illness or disability. She works closely with the community sector to implement and evaluate family-based interventions when a child has a chronic illness or disability.

She completed her PhD in psychology at Monash University. Her PhD examined adolescent self-injury and recovery, and how this relates to parent- and adolescent-reported family functioning. Dr Kelada is particularly interested in research which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families. Her other research interests and expertise include suicide prevention, family violence and emotion regulation.

Please see www.behaviouralsciencesunit.org.

Location
UNSW Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Level 5
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Davies J; O’Connor M; Halkett GKB; Kelada L; Gottardo NG, 2023, 'Fathers’ Experiences of Childhood Cancer: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study', Journal of Family Nursing, pp. 10748407221145062, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10748407221145062
    Journal articles | 2022
    Chittem M; Kelada L; Muppavaram N; Lingappa L; Wakefield CE, 2022, 'Unmet and under-met needs among Indian parents of children with neurological disorders', Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vol. 63, pp. e1 - e9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.11.015
    Journal articles | 2022
    Davies J; O'Connor M; Halkett GKB; Kelada L; Gottardo NG, 2022, 'Parents' Experiences of Childhood Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Perspective', Journal of Pediatric Psychology, vol. 47, pp. 148 - 157, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab125
    Journal articles | 2022
    Davies J; O’Connor M; Halkett GKB; Kelada L; Bosco AM; Gottardo NG, 2022, '‘Torn in two’: Experiences of Mothers Who Are Pregnant when Their Child Is Diagnosed With Cancer', Qualitative Health Research, vol. 32, pp. 1795 - 1808, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10497323221117924
    Journal articles | 2022
    Espinoza-Salgado FS; García RR; E.wakefield C; Kelada L; Sansom-Daly UM; McGill BC; Tusie AZ; García FLJ; Cardos RDSC; Zapata-Tarrés M, 2022, 'Mexican cultural adaptation of the CASCAdE intervention program for parents of childhood cancer survivors', Psicooncologia, vol. 19, pp. 63 - 80, http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/psic.80798
    Journal articles | 2022
    Kelada L; Wakefield C; Vidic N; Armstrong DS; Bennetts B; Boggs K; Christodoulou J; Harrison J; Ho G; Kapur N; Lindsey-Temple S; McDonald T; Mowat D; Schultz A; Selvadurai H; Tai A; Jaffe A, 2022, 'Genomic testing for children with interstitial and diffuse lung disease (chILD): Parent satisfaction, understanding and health-related quality of life', BMJ Open Respiratory Research, vol. 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2021-001139
    Journal articles | 2022
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Drew D; Ooi CY; Palmer EE; Bye A; De Marchi S; Jaffe A; Kennedy S, 2022, 'Siblings of young people with chronic illness: Caring responsibilities and psychosocial functioning', Journal of Child Health Care, vol. 26, pp. 581 - 596, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13674935211033466
    Journal articles | 2022
    Lathia T; Selvan C; Namjoshi S; Chawak S; Kelada L; Chittem M, 2022, 'Indian physicians' attitudes and practice regarding menopause and its management: a focus group discussion', Menopause, vol. 29, pp. 1323 - 1328, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000002059
    Journal articles | 2022
    Robertson EG; Kelada L; Best S; Goranitis I; Grainger N; Le Marne F; Pierce K; Nevin SM; Macintosh R; Beavis E; Sachdev R; Bye A; Palmer EE, 2022, 'Acceptability and feasibility of an online information linker service for caregivers who have a child with genetic epilepsy: A mixed-method pilot study protocol', BMJ Open, vol. 12, pp. e063249, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063249
    Journal articles | 2022
    Roziner I; Perry S; Dahabre R; Bentley G; Kelada L; Poikonen-Saksela P; Mazzocco K; Sousa B; Karademas EC; Simos P; Pettini G; Oliveira-Maia AJ; Mattson J; Pat-Horenczyk R, 2022, 'Psychological and somatic symptoms among breast cancer patients in four European countries: A cross-lagged panel model', Stress and Health, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smi.3193
    Journal articles | 2021
    Kamaladasa DS; Sansom-Daly UM; Hetherington K; McGill BC; Ellis SJ; Kelada L; Donoghoe MW; Evans H; Anazodo A; Patterson P; Cohn RJ; Wakefield CE, 2021, 'How Are Families Faring? Perceived Family Functioning among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors in Comparison to Their Peers', Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, vol. 10, pp. 711 - 719, http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2020.0215
    Journal articles | 2021
    Kelada L; Molloy CJ; Hibbert P; Wiles LK; Gardner C; Klineberg E; Braithwaite J; Jaffe A, 2021, 'Child and caregiver experiences and perceptions of asthma self-management', npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, vol. 31, pp. 42, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41533-021-00253-9
    Journal articles | 2021
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; De Graves S; Treadgold C; Dumlao G; Schaffer M; O'Brien T, 2021, 'Evaluation of an in-hospital recreation room for hospitalised children and their families', Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vol. 61, pp. 191 - 198, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.05.017
    Journal articles | 2021
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Muppavaram N; Lingappa L; Chittem M, 2021, 'Psychological outcomes, coping and illness perceptions among parents of children with neurological disorders', Psychology and Health, vol. 36, pp. 1480 - 1496, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2020.1859113
    Journal articles | 2021
    Sajeev MF; Kelada L; Yahya Nur AB; Wakefield CE; Wewege MA; Karpelowsky J; Akimana B; Darlington AS; Signorelli C, 2021, 'Interactive video games to reduce paediatric procedural pain and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis', British Journal of Anaesthesia, vol. 127, pp. 608 - 619, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2021.06.039
    Journal articles | 2021
    Wakefield CE; Sansom‐daly UM; McGill BC; Hetherington K; Ellis SJ; Robertson EG; Donoghoe MW; McCarthy M; Kelada L; Girgis A; King M; Grootenhuis M; Anazodo A; Patterson P; Lowe C; Dalla‐pozza L; Miles G; Cohn RJ, 2021, 'Providing psychological support to parents of childhood cancer survivors: ‘cascade’ intervention trial results and lessons for the future', Cancers, vol. 13, pp. 5597 - 5597, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers13225597
    Journal articles | 2020
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Cruz Silva MC; Signorelli C, 2020, 'Camps for Children with Cancer and Their Families: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial and Physical Impacts', Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP, vol. 41, pp. 145 - 156, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000000728
    Journal articles | 2020
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Vetsch J; Schofield D; Sansom-Daly UM; Hetherington K; O'Brien T; Cohn RJ; Anazodo A; Viney R; Zeppel MJB, 2020, 'Financial toxicity of childhood cancer and changes to parents’ employment after treatment completion', Pediatric Blood and Cancer, vol. 67, pp. e28345, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pbc.28345
    Journal articles | 2019
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Carlson L; Hetherington K; McGill BC; McCarthy MC; Miles G; Cohn RJ; Sansom-Daly UM, 2019, 'How Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors Perceive Support From Their Extended Families', Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 28, pp. 1537 - 1547, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01394-9
    Journal articles | 2019
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Doolan EL; Drew D; Wiener L; Michel G; Cohn RJ, 2019, 'Grandparents of children with cancer: a controlled comparison of perceived family functioning', Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 27, pp. 2087 - 2094, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4468-7
    Journal articles | 2019
    Kelada L; Wakefield CE; Heathcote LC; Jaaniste T; Signorelli C; Fardell JE; Donoghoe M; McCarthy MC; Gabriel M; Cohn RJ, 2019, 'Perceived cancer-related pain and fatigue, information needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among adult survivors of childhood cancer', Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 102, pp. 2270 - 2278, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.06.022
    Journal articles | 2018
    Kelada L; Hasking P; Melvin G, 2018, 'Adolescent NSSI and Recovery: The Role of Family Functioning and Emotion Regulation', Youth & Society, vol. 50, pp. 1056 - 1077, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0044118X16653153
    Journal articles | 2017
    Kelada L; Hasking P; Melvin GA, 2017, 'School response to self-injury: Concerns of mental health staff and parents', School Psychology Quarterly, vol. 32, pp. 173 - 187, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/spq0000194
    Journal articles | 2016
    Kelada L; Hasking P; Melvin G, 2016, 'The Relationship Between Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Family Functioning: Adolescent and Parent Perspectives', Journal of marital and family therapy, vol. 42, pp. 536 - 549, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12150
    Journal articles | 2016
    Kelada L; Hasking P; Melvin G; Whitlock J, 2016, '“I Do Want to Stop, At Least I Think I Do” An International Comparison of Recovery From Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Young People', Journal of Adolescent Research, vol. 33, pp. 416 - 441, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0743558416684954
    Journal articles | 2016
    Kelada L; Whitlock J; Hasking P; Melvin G, 2016, 'Parents’ Experiences of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Adolescents and Young Adults', Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 25, pp. 3403 - 3416, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0496-4
    Journal articles | 2014
    Tatnell R; Kelada L; Hasking P; Martin G, 2014, 'Longitudinal analysis of adolescent NSSI: The role of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors', Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, vol. 42, pp. 885 - 896, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10802-013-9837-6
  • Reports | 2015
    Kelada L; Hasking P; Melvin G, 2015, Families and schools: a collaborative approach to adolescent health and well-being, Victorian Department of Education and Training

Dr Kelada has been CIA on numerous grants, including project grants and individual fellowships/scholarships. She has been awarded >$430,000 in funding. 

Most recently, Dr Kelada was awarded a prestigious Golda Meir Fellowship at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, to improve resilience among Australian, Israeli and Palestinian families affected by child chronic illness.

Selected recent awards

2021    Winner of the best Early Career Researcher presentation at the Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine conference, 3-5 February 2021.

2021    Society of Pediatric Psychology International Award

2020    Donald Cohen Fellowship for the 2020 International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professionals Congress

Dr Kelada is leading the following research studies:

  • SIBS-ONLINE: Pilot of an online program for siblings and parents of children living with chronic illness

  • Cascade: An implementation trial to allow community organisation to implement a resilience intervention for parents of children with cancer

  • Teach Ted: Reducing children’s procedure-related anxiety