Melissa Savaglio

Ms. Melissa Savaglio

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 April 2021 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HSHelen Skouteris
Helen Skouteris
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
Young women of reproductive age (18–25 years) often seek and engage with health-related information via social media. However, the extent to which this population group seek preconception and pregnancy-related information has not been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to: (1) examine the proportion, type, and frequency of social media use to seek general health, preconception, and pregnancy-related information or advice among young women; and (2) explore the relationship between age, education status, relationship status, and planning a pregnancy on social media use for preconception and pregnancy-related health information. Ninety-one Australian women aged 18–25 years completed an online survey about their patterns and preferences of social media use for this information. Forty percent of women used social media for general health information (most often daily), 32% for preconception health advice (most commonly weekly), and 20% for pregnancy-related information (most often weekly), with Facebook the most frequently used platform. Planning a pregnancy within the next 5 years and younger age were associated with greater likelihood of using social media for such information. It is necessary that social media platforms are leveraged to disseminate preconception and pregnancy planning health advice, support, and education to provide better health promotion and preventive care to young women.

16 February 2022 in Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
RORenee O’dOnnell
Renee O’dOnnell
KHKostas Hatzikiriakidis
Kostas Hatzikiriakidis
DVDave Vicary
Dave Vicary
HSHelen Skouteris
Helen Skouteris
Australia has undergone significant youth mental health reform over the past 10 years, leading to numerous studies examining the effects of community-based mental health care programs for Australian youth. However, no synthesis of this literature currently exists. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to: (1) describe the types of community-based mental health programs that have been delivered to Australian youth in the past 10 years; and (2) examine their impact in improving young people’s mental health symptomology and psychosocial functioning. A systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted. Studies were included if they evaluated the extent to which such programs improved mental health symptomology (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use) and/or psychosocial outcomes (e.g., social functioning, school engagement, employment) for Australian youth aged 10–25 years. Thirty-seven studies were included. Four types of community-based youth mental health care programs were identified: therapy (n = 16), case management (n = 9), integrated ‘one-stop-shop’ (n = 6) and lifestyle (n = 6) programs. The majority of therapeutic programs were effective in reducing mental health symptomology. Case management and integrated approaches consistently yielded significant improvements in both symptomology and psychosocial outcomes. Lifestyle programs were effective in alleviating depressive symptoms, but inconclusive for other outcomes. This review provides support for youth-friendly, systemic, multidisciplinary and integrated assertive outreach models of community mental health care to improve outcomes for young Australians experiencing mental health concerns. Several recommendations for future research are provided to strengthen the local evidence-base supporting community mental health programs to ultimately enhance young people’s life trajectory.

1 April 2024 in Archives of Women's Mental Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JCJocelyn R. Clarke
Jocelyn R. Clarke
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
RNRhea Navani
Rhea Navani
MMMariam Mousa
Mariam Mousa
JBJacqueline A. Boyle
Jacqueline A. Boyle
Purpose: This systematic review aimed to determine if digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum is acceptable, feasible and more effective than standard care (paper-and pen-based screening or no screening). The second aim was to identify barriers and enablers to implementing digital screening in pregnancy and postpartum. Method: OVID MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Joanna Briggs Database and All EMB reviews incorporating Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (OVID) were systematically searched for articles that evaluated digital screening for mental health in pregnancy and postpartum between 2000 and 2021. Qualitative articles were deductively mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results: A total of 34 articles were included in the analysis, including qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies. Digital screening was deemed acceptable, feasible and effective. TDF domains for common barriers included environmental context and resources, skills, social/professional role and identity and beliefs about consequences. TDF domains for common enablers included knowledge, social influences, emotion and behavioural regulation. Conclusion: When planning to implement digital screening, consideration should be made to have adequate training, education and manageable workload for healthcare professionals (HCP’s). Organisational resources and support are important, as well as the choice of the appropriate digital screening assessment and application setting for women. Theory-informed recommendations are provided for both healthcare professionals and women to inform future clinical practice.

22 January 2022 in Journal of Traumatic Stress
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
HMHeather Morris
Heather Morris
KHKostas Hatzikiriakidis
Kostas Hatzikiriakidis
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
JDJenny Dwyer
Jenny Dwyer
CLCatrin Lewis
Catrin Lewis
HSHelen Skouteris
Helen Skouteris

11 May 2022 in Drug and Alcohol Review
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JKJacynta Krakouer
Jacynta Krakouer
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
KTKarinda Taylor
Karinda Taylor
HSHelen Skouteris
Helen Skouteris
Issues: The transgenerational impacts of colonisation—inclusive of dispossession, intergenerational trauma, racism, social and economic exclusion and marginalisation—places First Nations peoples in Australia at significant risk of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and its associated harms. However, knowledge and evidence supporting community‐based AOD treatment for First Nations adults is limited. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the impact and acceptability of community‐based models of AOD support for First Nations adults in Australia.Approach: A systematic search of the empirical literature from the past 20 years was conducted.Key Findings: Seventeen studies were included. Nine studies evaluated the program's impact on substance use and 10 studies assessed program acceptability (two studies evaluated both). Only three out of nine studies yielded a statistically significant reduction in substance use. Acceptable components included cultural safety, First Nations AOD workers, inclusion of family and kin, outreach and group support. Areas for improvement included greater focus on holistic wrap‐around psychosocial support, increased local community participation and engagement, funding and breaking down silos.Implications: Culturally safe, holistic and integrated AOD outreach support led by First Nations peoples and organisations that involves local community members may support First Nations peoples experiencing AOD concerns. These findings may inform the (re)design and (re)development of community‐based AOD services for First Nations peoples.Conclusion: There is a limited evidence‐base for community‐based AOD programs for First Nations peoples. First Nations‐led research that is controlled by and co‐produced with First Nations peoples is necessary to extend our understanding of community‐based programs within First Nations communities.

3 April 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SLSiew Lim
Siew Lim
SLSarah Lang
Sarah Lang
MSMelissa Savaglio
Melissa Savaglio
HSHelen Skouteris
Helen Skouteris
LMLisa Moran
Lisa Moran
Postpartum women experience unique barriers to maintaining healthy lifestyles after birth. Theory-based behaviour change techniques and intervention strategies can be integrated into postpartum lifestyle interventions to enable women to overcome barriers to change. This study aims to explore barriers and facilitators to engaging in healthy postpartum lifestyle behaviours and develop intervention strategies for integration in a postpartum lifestyle intervention using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women up to two years postpartum (n = 21). Interviews were thematically analysed, themes were mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behaviour Change and intervention strategies were developed using the BCW. Findings suggest that women face barriers and facilitators within capability (sleep deprivation, mental exhaustion, ability to plan), opportunity (support of friends, partners and extended families) and motivation (challenges with prioritising self, exercise to cope with stress). Intervention strategies included supporting behaviour regulation and sleep to enhance capability, engaging partners, strengthening peer support to create opportunities and highlighting the mental health benefits of healthy lifestyles to inspire motivation. Integrating targeted evidence-based behaviour change strategies into postpartum lifestyle interventions may support women in overcoming commonly reported barriers to a healthy lifestyle.