Becoming a new parent
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Dr Cathy McMahon |
Macquarie University research students are currently working on a range of projects relating to pregnancy and early parenthood - from post-natal depression to pregnancy stress.
Dr Cathy McMahon, Academic Convenor of the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, has a research interest in parenthood, particularly early parenthood.
"My own doctoral research and one strand of my current research is concerned with infertility and assisted reproductive technology," explains McMahon. "The other side to my research is the factors that lead to some women and men having a more difficult transition to parenthood than others. I'm particularly interested in post-natal depression (PND)."
McMahon is in her fifth year of working with PhD and Masters students at Macquarie University.
Current students
Three of McMahon's current doctoral students have been working on a long-term study into PND. This study, which began as postdoctoral research for McMahon, has been carried out over the past seven years. McMahon and her students have looked at a sample of 92 mothers and babies. Individual interviews were conducted soon after birth, at 12 months, 15 months and then again at four years and seven years.
"It has been very interesting to follow the families to get to know them and their children over time," says McMahon. "Most of the mothers recovered from PND within six months of birth, one-third of women were depressed throughout the first year, and a small but substantial minority have ongoing difficulties."
A fourth doctoral student is interested in the impact of stress in pregnancy on the stress reactivity of the baby after birth. McMahon also supervises a number of Masters students with an interest in pregnancy and parenthood.
Expectations of students
As a supervisor, McMahon expects students to be enthusiastic and interested in the work that they are doing. "I think if they are interested they won't find it burdensome," she says. "A great deal of research work can be tedious and routine, like collecting and entering data. I explain to them that if you are excited about the questions you are asking and the work that you are doing, then it is just part of the process."
McMahon also aims to make her students feel confident in their capacity to add something original and creative to an existing body of work, or bring something new to a particular field. "I expect them to be conscientious and challenge themselves to think about what they are doing," says McMahon.
What you can expect of a supervisor?
Two of the major challenges for a PhD or Masters student are managing time and setting realistic goals. McMahon sees her role as helping students spread their workload so they can meet their goals. She also provides constructive criticism and offers advice on writing styles.
"I am enthusiastic about what I do," says McMahon. "I find my research interesting and I believe if the teacher is clearly interested and enthusiastic about the subject matter then the student will be as well."
For further information on postgraduate study in Psychology at Macquarie University visit the website: http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/ or email Dr Cathy McMahon: cathy.mcmahon@mq.edu.au