Associate Professor Stacy Blythe

Associate Professor Stacy Blythe

Senior Research Fellow,
School of Nursing and Midwifery

Associate Professor,
School of Nursing and Midwifery

Biography

Stacy Blythe is a Registered Nurse, an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Western Sydney University, and the Deputy Director of the Translation Research and Social Innovation (TReSI) Group, based at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.

Her research focuses on the health and well-being of children in out-of-home care and their families (both birth and foster families). As a educator in Infant Mental Health, she is particularly interested in infants who are prenatally exposed to harmful substances (eg. illicit drugs). In addition to her nursing, teaching and research qualifications, Stacy has post graduate certification in Developmental Trauma. Stacy has also been an authorised foster carer for more than 15 years. Drawing on her skills as a nurse, knowledge as a researcher and experience as a carer, Stacy develops and provides training to health care workers, social service providers, educators and foster/kinship carers in relation to working with children who have experienced trauma.

Stacy has experience with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. She has taught in the undergraduate and post graduate nursing programs and provides research training and mentoring to Registered Nurses and Clinical Nurse Consultants in the local health district

Research interests include: infant mental health, substance exposed infants, foster care, foster carers, the foster care family.

Stacy competed her PhD in 2013 and commenced supervising higher degree students. Stacy provides higher degree supervision to PhD Candidates, Master of Research Candidates, and Bachelor Honours students across several disciplines, including: Nursing, Midwifery, Psychology, Oral Health, Medicine, Allied Health and Social Sciences.

Stacy has served as the Director of Engagement (2016-2020), the school coordinator for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and alumni (2015), the Deputy Director for Clinical Education (2013-2014), and the Deputy Director of Casual Workforce (2013-2014).

This information has been contributed by Associate Professor Blythe.

Qualifications

  • MBA Western Sydney University
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education Western Sydney University
  • PhD University of Western Sydney
  • BN(Hons) University of Western Sydney

Professional Memberships

  • Council of Parents Families and Carers (2017 - 2017)
  • Hawkesbury Foundation (2016)
  • Western Sydney Homeless Connect Steering Committee (2016)
  • International Foster Care Organisation Board Member (2019 - 2020)
  • International Foster Care Organization, Board Member (2019 - 2022)

Awards

  • Best Presentation UWS College of Health and Science Research Futures Forum 2011-07-05
  • Reserach Training Scheme Scholarship 2009-02-02
  • Scholarly Productivity and Academic Development Grant 2008-07-01
  • UWS Medal - Bahcelor of Nursing (Hons) 2009-11-02
  • Blacktown City Scholarship (highest GPA) 2002-11-04
  • Blacktown City Scholarship (highest GPA) 2003-11-03
  • Sydney Mechanics School of Arts Award 2003-11-03
  • 2/5 Australian General Hospital Prize 2003-11-03
  • Blacktown Tertiary Scholarship 2002-02-01
  • Nomination for Australian of the Year 2016 2017-01-01

Interests

  • Developmental Trauma
  • Foster Care
  • Infant Mental Health
  • Psychological Attachment
  • Substance Exposed Infants

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery

Committees

  • School Strategy Committee
  • University Directors of Engagement
  • School Academic Committee
  • Bachelor of Nursing, Undergraduate Clinical Directorate

Contact

Email: S.Blythe@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9685 9386
Mobile: 0404063538
Location: OFF
Off Campus

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 400761 Family Health Care: High Acuity Nursing, 2013
  • 400761 Family Health Care: High Acuity Nursing, 2014
  • 400764 Transition to Graduate Practice, 2013
  • 400817 Evidence Based Nursing Practice, 2012
  • 400835 Infant Mental Health, 2012
  • 400835 Infant Mental Health, 2015
  • 400835 Infant Mental Health, 2017
  • 401010 Health Variations 1, 2017
  • 401011 Research Principles for Nursing and Midwifery, 2015
  • 401011 Research Principles for Nursing and Midwifery, 2017
  • 401021 Being a Professional Nurse or Midwife, 2015
  • 401021 Being a Professional Nurse or Midwife, 2017
  • 401023 Research Principles for Nursing (Advanced), 2015

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Oei, J., Blythe, S., Dicair, L., Didden, D., Preisz, A. and Lantos, J. (2023), 'What's in a name? : the ethical implications and opportunities in diagnosing an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)', Addiction, vol 118, no 1 , pp 4 - 6.
  • Gowan, M., Peel, N., Elcombe, E. and Blythe, S. (2023), 'An exploration of the self-care practices of foster carers in Australia', Adoption and Fostering, vol 47, no 2 , pp 192 - 210.
  • Perez, F., Blythe, S., Wouldes, T., McNamara, K., Black, K. and Oei, J. (2022), 'Prenatal methamphetamine : impact on the mother and child : a review', Addiction, vol 117, no 1 , pp 250 - 260.
  • Kanda, K., Blythe, S., Grace, R., Elcombe, E. and Kemp, L. (2022), 'Variations in sustained home visiting care for mothers and children experiencing adversity', Public Health Nursing, vol 39, no 1 , pp 71 - 81.
  • Blythe, S., Elcombe, E., Peters, K., Burns, E. and Gribble, K. (2022), 'Australian foster carers' views of supporting maternal breastfeeding and attachment in out-of-home care', Child Abuse and Neglect, vol 130, no 3 .
  • Kanda, K., Blythe, S., Grace, R. and Kemp, L. (2022), 'Parent satisfaction with sustained home visiting care for mothers and children : an integrative review', BMC Health Services Research, vol 22, no 1 .
  • Gribble, K. and Blythe, S. (2022), 'Love and belonging in foster carer recruitment materials in New South Wales, Australia', Child Abuse and Neglect, vol 130 .
  • Kanda, K., Blythe, S., Grace, R., Elcombe, E. and Kemp, L. (2022), 'Does customised care improve satisfaction and positively enable parents in sustained home visiting for mothers and children experiencing adversity?', BMC Health Services Research, vol 22, no 1 .
  • Gribble, K., Villarosa, A., Ghimire, P. and Blythe, S. (2022), '[In Press] Enduring familial relationships and identity preservation make simple adoption the preferred permanency option for children in out-of-home care', Australian Social Work, .
  • Marcellus, L., Cleveland, L., Maguire, D., Blythe, S., Goodman, D., Buss-Frank, M. and McQueen, K. (2022), 'Developments in nursing practice to address substance use in the perinatal period', Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, vol 51, no 4 , pp 361 - 376.
  • Shannon, J., Peters, K. and Blythe, S. (2021), 'The challenges to promoting attachment for hospitalised infants with NAS', Children, vol 8, no 2 .
  • Shannon, J., Blythe, S. and Peters, K. (2021), 'The complexities associated with caring for hospitalised infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome : the perspectives of nurses and midwives', Children, vol 8, no 2 .
  • Blythe, S., Peters, K., Elcombe, E., Burns, E. and Gribble, K. (2021), 'Australian foster carers' views and concerns regarding maternal drug use and the safety of breastmilk', Children, vol 8, no 4 .
  • Marks, A., Wilson, N., Blythe, S. and Johnston, C. (2021), 'Diabetes care in the early primary school setting : narratives of Australian mothers', Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol 38, no 2 , pp 52 - 64.
  • Marks, A., Wilson, N., Blythe, S. and Johnston, C. (2021), 'Intensive insulin therapy for children in early primary school : the narratives of parents, school teachers and diabetes educators', Australian Diabetes Educator, vol 24, no 3 .
  • Marks, A., Wilson, N., Blythe, S. and Johnston, C. (2020), 'The health promotion role of Australian early primary school teachers supporting students with type 1 diabetes', Health Promotion Journal of Australia, vol 31, no 2 , pp 240 - 250.
  • Whalen, B., Holmes, A. and Blythe, S. (2019), 'Models of care for neonatal abstinence syndrome : what works?', Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, vol 24, no 2 , pp 121 - 132.
  • Blythe, S. (2019), 'Substance exposed infants need for attachment', Journal of Neonatal Nursing, vol 25, no 1 , pp 14 - 15.
  • Marks, A., Wilson, N., Blythe, S. and Johnston, C. (2018), 'Facilitation of intensive insulin therapy in the early primary school setting : narratives of Australian diabetes educators', Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, vol 41, no 3 , pp 213 - 227.
  • Dawson, A., Blythe, S. and McNally, S. (2018), 'An undergraduate nurse's experience of patients with drug-seeking behaviours', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol 26, no 2 , pp 37 - 37.
  • Riggs, D. and Blythe, S. (2017), 'Experiences of separation and divorce among foster and adoptive families : the need for supportive responses', Adoption and Fostering, vol 41, no 1 , pp 75 - 81.
  • Meller, N., Blythe, S., McNally, S., Glew, P., Hughes, M. and O'Reilly, R. (2017), 'New graduate job applications and interviews : the role of higher education facilities for student nurses and midwives', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol 25, no 2 , pp 36 - 36.
  • Marks, A., Wilkes, L., Blythe, S. and Griffiths, R. (2017), 'A novice researcher's reflection on recruiting participants for qualitative research', Nurse Researcher, vol 25, no 2 , pp 34 - 38.
  • Cho, C., Parker, D. and Blythe, S. (2017), 'Community based home visiting service in Korea : City of Gwangmyeong', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol 24, no 7 , pp 38 - 38.
  • Marks, A., Wilkes, L., Blythe, S. and Griffiths, R. (2016), 'Intensive insulin therapy in the primary school setting : a meta-ethnographic synthesis', International Diabetes Nursing, vol 13, no 1-3 , pp 2 - 13.
  • Shannon, J., Blythe, S. and Peters, K. (2016), 'Neonatal abstinence sydnrome and the attachment relationship', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol 24, no 6 , pp 42 - 42.
  • Blythe, S. (2016), 'Neonatal abstinence syndrome and infant mental health', Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, vol 24, no 6 , pp 36 - 36.
  • Blythe, S., Wilkes, L. and Halcomb, E. (2014), 'The foster carer's experience : an integrative review', Collegian, vol 21, no 1 , pp 21 - 32.
  • Blythe, S., Wilkes, L., Jackson, D. and Halcomb, E. (2013), 'The challenges of being an insider in storytelling research', Nurse Researcher, vol 21, no 1 , pp 8 - 13.
  • Blythe, S., Halcomb, E., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2013), 'Caring for vulnerable children : challenges of mothering in the Australian foster care system', Contemporary nurse, vol 44, no 1 , pp 87 - 98.
  • Blythe, S., Halcomb, E., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2013), 'Perceptions of long-term female foster-carers : I'm not a carer, I'm a mother', British Journal of Social Work, vol 43, no 6 , pp 1056 - 1072.
  • Blythe, S., Jackson, D., Halcomb, E. and Wilkes, L. (2012), 'The stigma of being a long-term foster carer', Journal of Family Nursing, vol 18, no 2 , pp 234 - 260.
  • Blythe, S., Chang, E., Johnson, A. and Griffiths, R. (2007), 'The efficacy of nurse implemented non-pharmacological strategies for the symptom management of agitation in persons with advanced dementia living in residential aged care facilties', The Joanna Briggs Institute JBI Review Protocols, .

Other Publications

  • 2022, 'Caring for Infants in Out-of-Home Care in New South Wales: Carers' Perspectives', Report
  • 2021, 'Substance Use During Pregnancy, Birth and the Postnatal Period', Report
  • 2019, 'Belonging in Two Families: Exploring Permanency Options for Children in Long-Term Out-of-Home Care in Australia', Report
  • 2018, 'Tackling Maternal Anxiety in the Perinatal Period: Reconceptualising Mothering Narratives', Report

Stacy's doctoral research focused on the experiences of long-term female foster carers. This lead to her current research interests which include the experiences of infants hospitalised post-partum due to neonatal abstinence syndrome. She aspires to identify effective, nurse implemented strategies that support and promote infant mental health in the context of hospitalised infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Current projects include:

Belonging in two families - a mixed methods investigation into permanency options available to children living in out-of-home care in Australia. FIrst report can be found here https://researchdirect.westernsydney.edu.au/islandora/object/uws:53559

Infant feeding in the context of foster/kinship care - a mixed methods study exploring how foster and kinship carers make decisions regarding infant feeding and whether current policy exists to support infant access to breast milk in the context of foster/kinship care in Australia.

Cultural diversity and connection in foster care: an investigation of current evidence, policy and practice - this mixed methods investigation initially aims to examine literature regarding the care of culturally and linguistically diverse children in the out-of-home care sector. Subsequent to this, the study is exploring the experiences of foster carers (who provide the day to day care) and case workers (who provide oversight of care) in relation to how the cultural identity and connection with community is managed for children of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

Exploring the experiences of foster/kinship cares in relation to the oral health of children living in out-of-home (OOHC) care - this qualitative study is investigating the oral health of children living in out-of-home care from the carer's perspective. 

Support needs of foster carers of infants (<12 months).

Support needs of foster carers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Personal wellbeing of foster carers. 

The mitigating impact of positive childhood experiences on adverse childhood experiences, an Australian perspective.

This information has been contributed by Associate Professor Blythe.

Current Projects

Title: Upholding the right to cultural connection for children in care
Funder:
  • MACKILLOP FAMILY SERVICES LIMITED
  • Anglicare
  • Macquarie University Non Cat 1
  • University of Sydney
  • Settlement Services International
  • KEY ASSETS THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES PROVIDER (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED
  • Barnardos Australia
  • Australian Research Council (ACRG)
  • CHALLENGE COMMUNITY SERVICES
  • Wesley Community Services Limited
  • Children Australia Inc
Western Researchers: Rebekah Grace and Stacy Blythe
Years: 2020-07-01 - 2024-12-31
ID: P00026906
Title: Ladder Step Up Program Quality System
Funder:
  • Ladder Project Foundation
Western Researchers: Stacy Blythe and Lynn Kemp
Years: 2021-10-18 - 2024-10-18
ID: P00027592

Previous Projects

Title: Foster carer recruitment? a review of the literature
Funder:
  • Adopt Change Ltd
Western Researchers: Stacy Blythe
Years: 2021-07-01 - 2021-12-31
ID: P00027376
Title: Workshop delivery: Caring for infants, children and young people with a history of prenatal substance exposure
Funder:
  • Department of Communities, WA
Western Researchers: Stacy Blythe
Years: 2023-03-14 - 2023-03-14
ID: P00028502
Title: Belonging in two families: exploring permanency options for children in foster care
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
  • Adopt Change Ltd
Western Researchers: Stacy Blythe, Kath Peters and Karleen Gribble
Years: 2018-06-20 - 2019-06-30
ID: P00025113
Title: "I've got your back": How can coaches support children participating in sport after traumatic experiences
Funder:
  • Dana Foundation International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO)
Western Researchers: Cathy Kaplun, Ann Dadich and Stacy Blythe
Years: 2021-03-15 - 2021-03-21
ID: P00026964
Title: Evaluation of the Ladder Step Up Sydney Program
Funder:
  • Ladder Project Foundation
Western Researchers: Lynn Kemp and Stacy Blythe
Years: 2020-10-08 - 2021-03-31
ID: P00026828
Title: Addressing Support Needs of Carers, Children and Young People to Improve Permanency Outcomes in Out-of-Home Care
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
  • University of Western Sydney
  • Uniting NSW
Western Researchers: Stacy Blythe and Lynn Kemp
Years: 2021-01-25 - 2024-01-22
ID: P00026878

Supervision

Current Supervision

Thesis Title: Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home Visiting
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Addressing support needs of carers, children and young people to improve permanency outcomes in out-of-home care
Field of Research:

Previous Supervision

Thesis Title: Intensive Insulin Therapy for Children in Early Primary School: The Narratives of Parents, School Teachers and Diabetes Educators
Field of Research: Nursing, N.e.c.
Thesis Title: Midwives? Perceptions and Practices Related to Trauma-informed Care
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Upholding the Right to Cultural Connection for Children in Out-of-Home Care
Field of Research:

Media

Title: Foster Film 2018
Description: A short film regarding foster care, the need for carers and issues facing the children in care
Title: Survivors must be heard in adoption debate
Description: The Australian published an opinion piece by Adopt Change CEO, Renee Carter, on the concept of ???simple adoption???. Ms Carter notes the launch of a new report by Dr Karleen Gribble and Dr Stacy Blythe both from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, exploring permanency options for children and young people in long-term out-of-home care in Australia.
Title: What impact does meth use during pregnancy have on babies ?
Description: ABC Radio WA discussing the short and long term implications of prenatal use of methamphetamines on children
Title: A celebration of foster care week
Description: ABC Radio Sydney Focus
Title: Adoption Revolution
Description: Front page article in the Western Australian following the launch of our research study into the permanency options available to children in out-of-home care in Australia
Title: Helping kids with prenatal substance exposure
Description: Prosody blog by the Australian Childhood Foundation - blog discusses one of the implications of infants being prenatally substance exposed. The issue discussed is Executive Functioning

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