The Child to Adult Transition Study (CATS)
CATS is a unique longitudinal study of children in metropolitan Melbourne as they transition through adolescence and into adulthood.
The study began in 2012 and follows over 1200 children from grade 3 (8-9 years of age) through adolescence and into adulthood. The young people are assessed once every year. The study also collected information from teachers through primary school, and parents through to year 8 (13-14 years) then again in year 11 (16-17 years). The main focus of the study is on the health and emotional development of young people during the middle years (8-14 years) and through the primary to secondary transition. The study aims to improve our understanding of the many influences that the effect the health and emotional adjustment of children as they traverse late childhood and adolescence. The study looks at the experiences of children and their families, their changing social context as they move through secondary school and beyond, and their reactions to the biological changes of puberty. The information collected as part of this large study will help us identify when and how to promote the best health and emotional adjustment in young people.
The CATS cohort are currently transitioning out of high school after completing their final two years of schooling during the COVID 19 pandemic. CATS plans to follow this important group of young people as they enter the workforce or begin further education in a COVID-19 world. With eight waves of data collection pre-pandemic, the study is ideally placed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on this new generation of young Australians.
| Year | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Age | 8-9 years | 9-10 years | 10-11 years | 11-12 years | 12-13 years | 13-14 years | 14-15 years | 15-16 years | 16-17 years | 17-18 years |
| N | Total: 1239 Substudy: 128 |
1158 | 1119 | 1066 | Total: 1175 Substudy: 110 |
1177 | 1137 | 1102 | 1084 | |
| RELEVANT LIFECOURSE DOMAINS | Allergies | |||||||||
| Anthropometrics | ||||||||||
| Biosamples | Biosamples | Biosamples | ||||||||
| Community environment | ||||||||||
| Demographics | ||||||||||
| Education and childcare | ||||||||||
| Family environment | ||||||||||
| Health services | ||||||||||
| Imaging | Imaging | |||||||||
| Medications and supplements | ||||||||||
| Mental health and behaviour problems | ||||||||||
| Miscellaneous | ||||||||||
| Neurocognitive development | Neurocognitive development | |||||||||
| Nutrition | ||||||||||
| Other health information | ||||||||||
| Peer relationships | ||||||||||
| Physical activity | ||||||||||
| Pregnancy and birth | Pregnancy and birth | |||||||||
| Psychosocial wellbeing | ||||||||||
| Puberty | ||||||||||
| Respiratory health | ||||||||||
| Romantic relationships | ||||||||||
| Screen and technology use | ||||||||||
| Sexual health and activity | ||||||||||
| Sleep | ||||||||||
| Speech and language | Speech and language | |||||||||
| Substance use | ||||||||||
| Study Summary | |
|---|---|
| Study name | Child to Adult Transition Study |
| Study abbreviation | CATS |
| Current principal investigator/s |
Professor Susan Sawyer |
| Current project manager |
Carolina Murphy |
| Primary Institution/s |
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute - MCRI
|
| Collaborating Institution/s |
The University of Melbourne - UoM
University of South Australia University of New South Wales University College London Institute of Child Health, UK - UCL La Trobe University |
| Major funding source/s |
National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC
|
| Study website | https://cats.mcri.edu.au/ |
| Key reference for study | Mundy, L.K., Simmons, J.G., Allen, N.B., Viner, R.M., Bayer, J.K., Olds, T., Williams, J., Olsson, C., Romaniuk, H., Mensah, F., Sawyer, S.M., Degenhardt, L., Alati, R., Wake, M., Jacka, F. and Patton, G.C.. Study protocol: the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS). BMC Pediatr. 2013 Oct 8;13:160. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-160 |
| Study focus |
The health and emotional development of children as they pass through puberty and the middle years of school, to improve the understanding of the many influences that effect the health and emotional adjustment during these transition years |
| Sampling frame |
All Grade 3 students (8-9 years of age) from a stratified cluster sample of schools in Melbourne, Australia were invited to take part. |
| Primary study type | Longitudinal cohort |
| Primary participant (at recruitment) | Index child |
| Year commenced |
2012 |
| Is this study ongoing? | Yes - the study is ongoing |
| Ongoing recruitment? | No |
| Sample size (N) |
1239 |
| Survey data available? | Yes |
| Imaging data available? | Yes |
| Linkage to administrative dataset/s? | Yes, linkage to (at least one) administrative dataset completed |
| Biosamples available? | Yes |
| Are data available to others outside study team, with appropriate safeguards and structures in line with the cohort’s ethics and governance processes? | Yes |
| Are there any costs associated with data/sample access for approved requests? | There are usually no costs associated with access |
| Broadest type of participant consent available |
Extended consent (can be used for future ethically approved research related to this project) |
| Wave | Year | Age | Sample size (N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 | 8-9 years | N(Total)=1239 N(Substudy)=128 |
| 2 | 2013 | 9-10 years | N(Total)=1158 |
| 3 | 2014 | 10-11 years | N(Total)=1119 |
| 4 | 2015 | 11-12 years | N(Total)=1066 |
| 5 | 2016 | 12-13 years | N(Total)=1175 N(Substudy)=110 |
| 6 | 2017 | 13-14 years | N(Total)=1177 |
| 7 | 2018 | 14-15 years | N(Total)=1137 |
| 8 | 2019 | 15-16 years | N(Total)=1102 |
| 9 | 2020 | 16-17 years | N(Total)=1084 |
| 10 | 2021 | 17-18 years |
2022
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Moreno‐Betancur M, Hoq M, Viner RM, Bayer JK, Lietz P, Redmond G, Patton GC. (2022). Learning outcomes in primary school children with emotional problems: a prospective cohort study Child and Adolescent Mental Health. DOI: 10.1111/camh.12607
2021
Borschmann R, Mundy L, Canterford L, Moreno-Betancur M, Moran P, Allen N, Viner R, Degenhardt L, Kosola S, Fedyszyn I, Patton G. (2021). 533The psychosocial profiles of children aged 11-12 years who have self-harmed: A prospective cohort study International Journal of Epidemiology, 50(Supplement_1). DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab168.090
Goddings A-L, Viner RM, Mundy L, Romaniuk H, Molesworth C, Carlin JB, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2021). Growth and adrenarche: findings from the CATS observational study Archives of Disease in Childhood, 106(10), 967 - 974. DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-319341
2020
Andreucci A, Campbell P, Mundy LK, Sawyer SM, Kosola S, Patton GC, Dunn KM. (2020). Sleep problems increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain in boys but not girls: a prospective cohort study European Journal of Pediatrics, 179(11), 1711 - 1719. DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03667-8
Borschmann R, Mundy LK, Canterford L, Moreno-Betancur M, Moran PA, Allen NB, Viner RM, Degenhardt L, Kosola S, Fedyszyn I, Patton GC. (2020). Self-harm in primary school-aged children: Prospective cohort study PLOS ONE, 15(11), e0242802. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242802
Fujikawa S, Mundy LK, Canterford L, Moreno-Betancur M, Patton GC. (2020). Bullying Across Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: A Prospective Cohort of Students Assessed Annually From Grades 3 to 8 Academic Pediatrics, 21(2), 344 - 351. DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.10.011
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Hoq M, Olds T, Moreno-Betancur M, Sawyer S, Kosola S, Patton GC. (2020). Electronic media use and academic performance in late childhood: A longitudinal study PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0237908. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237908
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Moreno‐Betancur M, Hoq M, Sawyer SM, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2020). Social networking and symptoms of depression and anxiety in early adolescence Depression and Anxiety, 38(5), 563 - 570. DOI: 10.1002/da.23117
2019
Dimov S, Mundy LK, Bayer JK, Jacka FN, Canterford L, Patton GC. (2019). Diet quality and mental health problems in late childhood Nutritional Neuroscience, 24(1), 62 - 70. DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2019.1592288
Ellis R, Fernandes A, Simmons JG, Mundy L, Patton G, Allen NB, Whittle S. (2019). Relationships between adrenarcheal hormones, hippocampal volumes and depressive symptoms in children Psychoneuroendocrinology, 104, 55 - 63. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.02.016
2018
Barbosa C, Simmons JG, Vijayakumar N, Dudgeon P, Patton GC, Mundy LK, Allen NB, Whittle S. (2018). Interaction Between Parenting Styles and Adrenarcheal Timing Associated With Affective Brain Function in Late Childhood Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(9), 678 - 686.e4. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.05.016
Barendse MEA, Simmons JG, Byrne ML, Patton G, Mundy L, Olsson CA, Seal ML, Allen NB, Whittle S. (2018). Associations between adrenarcheal hormones, amygdala functional connectivity and anxiety symptoms in children Psychoneuroendocrinology, 97, 156 - 163. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.020
Bayer JK, Mundy L, Stokes I, Hearps S, Allen N, Patton G. (2018). Bullying, mental health and friendship in Australian primary school children Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 23(4), 334 - 340. DOI: 10.1111/camh.12261
Hughes EK, Mundy LK, Romaniuk H, Sawyer SM, Wake M, Williams J, Olds T, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2018). Body Image Dissatisfaction and the Adrenarchal Transition Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(5), 621 - 627. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.05.025
2017
Byrne ML, Badcock PB, Simmons JG, Whittle S, Pettitt A, Olsson CA, Mundy LK, Patton GC, Allen NB. (2017). Self-Reported Parenting Style Is Associated With Children’s Inflammation and Immune Activation Journal of Family Psychology, 31(3), 374 - 380. DOI: 10.1037/fam0000254
Evans-Whipp T, Mundy L, Miller E, Canterford L, Patton G. (2017). The Effects on Schooling Outcomes of Early Developmental Vulnerabilities in Children .
Kosola S, Mundy LK, Sawyer SM, Canterford L, van der Windt DA, Dunn KM, Patton GC. (2017). Pain and learning in primary school Pain, 158(9), 1825 - 1830. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000984
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Kosola S, Degenhardt L, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2017). Peer Victimization and Academic Performance in Primary School Children Academic Pediatrics, 17(8), 830 - 836. DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.06.012
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Tucker D, Bayer J, Romaniuk H, Sawyer S, Lietz P, Redmond G, Proimos J, Allen N, Patton G. (2017). Academic Performance in Primary School Children With Common Emotional and Behavioral Problems Journal of School Health, 87(8), 593 - 601. DOI: 10.1111/josh.12531
2016
Mundy LK, Canterford L, Olds T, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2016). The Association Between Electronic Media and Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Late Childhood Academic Pediatrics, 17(6), 620 - 624. DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2016.12.014
2015
Delany FM, Byrne ML, Whittle S, Simmons JG, Olsson C, Mundy LK, Patton GC, Allen NB. (2015). Depression, immune function, and early adrenarche in children Psychoneuroendocrinology, 63, 228 - 234. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.003
Mundy LK, Romaniuk H, Canterford L, Hearps S, Viner RM, Bayer JK, Simmons JG, Carlin JB, Allen NB, Patton GC. (2015). Adrenarche and the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Late Childhood Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(6), 608 - 616. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.001
Murray CR, Simmons JG, Allen NB, Byrne ML, Mundy LK, Seal ML, Patton GC, Olsson CA, Whittle S. (2015). Associations between dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels, pituitary volume, and social anxiety in children Psychoneuroendocrinology, 64, 31 - 39. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.11.004
Simmons JG, Badcock PB, Whittle SL, Byrne ML, Mundy L, Patton GC, Olsson CA, Allen NB. (2015). The lifetime experience of traumatic events is associated with hair cortisol concentrations in community-based children Psychoneuroendocrinology, 63, 276 - 281. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.004
Whittle S, Simmons JG, Byrne ML, Strikwerda-Brown C, Kerestes R, Seal ML, Olsson CA, Dudgeon P, Mundy LK, Patton GC, Allen NB. (2015). Associations between early adrenarche, affective brain function and mental health in children Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(9), 1282 - 1290. DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsv014
2014
Klauser P, Whittle S, Simmons JG, Byrne ML, Mundy LK, Patton GC, Fornito A, Allen NB. (2014). Reduced frontal white matter volume in children with early onset of adrenarche Psychoneuroendocrinology, 52, 111 - 118. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.020
Simmons JG, Whittle SL, Patton GC, Dudgeon P, Olsson C, Byrne ML, Mundy LK, Seal ML, Allen NB. (2014). Study protocol: Imaging brain development in the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (iCATS) BMC Pediatrics, 14(1), 115. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-14-115
2013
Mundy LK, Simmons JG, Allen NB, Viner RM, Bayer JK, Olds T, Williams J, Olsson C, Romaniuk H, Mensah F, Sawyer SM, Degenhardt L, Alati R, Wake M, Jacka F, Patton GC. (2013). Study protocol: the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (CATS) BMC Pediatrics, 13(1), 160. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-160
| Study Contacts | |
|---|---|
| Principal investigator/s |
Professor Susan Sawyer |
| Project manager |
Carolina Murphy |
| Study Contact |
Email: cats@mcri.edu.au |