Prof Jane Fisher - Researcher Profile

Biography

Professor Jane Fisher, BSc (Hons), PhD, MAPS, is an academic and clinical psychologist with a longstanding interest in the links between women’s reproductive health and mental health from adolescence to mid-life; in particular related to fertility, conception, pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. She is the Director of Research, at the Jean Hailes Research Centre and the Head of Women's Mental Health, Monash School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

She has carried out major epidemiological studies in clinical and community settings in Australia and Vietnam, and a number of nationally funded intervention trials. Prof. Fisher is also an expert technical advisor to international agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund.

Expertise
• Women’s mental health
• Fertility
• Conception
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum period

Qualifications

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Institution: University of Melbourne

Year awarded: 1994

MEMBER

Institution: Australian Psychological Society

Year awarded: 1977

SCIENCE

Institution: University of Queensland

Year awarded: 1974

Publications

Book Chapters

Muzik, M., Hamilton, S., Rochat, T.J., Fisher, J.R.W., Barnett, B., Chandra, P.S., Henshaw, C., Pirec, V., 2012, Perinatal mental health in primary care: an overview of current models across the globe, in Companion to primary care mental health, eds Gabriel Ivbijaro, Radcliffe Publishing, London, pp. 365-384.

Fisher, J., Rahman, A., de Mello, M., Chandra, P., Herrman, H., 2010, Mental Health of parents and infant health and development in resource-constrained settings: evidence gaps and implications for facilitating 'good-enough parenting' in the twenty-first-century world, in Parenthood and Mental Health: A bridge between, eds Sam Tyano.; Karen M,; Herrman H.; Cox J., John Wiley & Sons, Australia, pp. 461-474.

Fisher, J., Feekery, C., Rowe, H., 2010, Psychoeducational early parenting interventions to promote infant mental health, in International perspectives on children and Mental Health, eds Hiram E. Fitzgerald, Kaila Puura, Mark Tomlinson, and Campbell Paul, Praeger, United States, pp. 205-267.

Fisher, J., Allanson, S., Astbury, J., Bandyopadhyay, M., de Mello, M., Izutsu, T., Manderson, L., Rowe, H., Saxena, S., Warren, N., 2009, Female genital mutilation, in Mental health aspects of women's reproductive health, eds Jane Fisher, World Health Organization, France, pp. 147-157.

Journal Articles

Rowe, H., Holton, S., Fisher, J.R.W., 2013, Postpartum emotional support: a qualitative study of women’s and men’s anticipated needs and preferred sources, Australian Journal of Primary Health [P], vol 19, CSIRO Publishing, Australia, pp. 46-52.

Matthey, S., Fisher, J.R.W., Rowe, H., 2013, Using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to screen for anxiety disorders: conceptual and methodological, Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol 146, issue 2, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 224-230.

Tran, T.D., Tran, T., Fisher, J.R.W., 2013, Validation of the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS) 21 as a screening instrument for depression and anxiety in a rural community-based cohort of northern Vietnamese women, BMC Psychiatry [P], vol 13, issue Art. ID: 24, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 24-30.

Fisher, J.R.W., Rowe, H., Hammarberg, K., 2012, Admissions for early parenting difficulties among women with infants conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: a prospective cohort study, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 97, issue 6, Elsevier Science Ltd, United States, pp. 1410-1416.

Fisher, J.R.W., Rowe, H., Hammarberg, K., 2012, Admissions for early parenting difficulties among women with infants conceived by assisted reproductive techologies: a prospective cohort studies, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 97, issue 6, Elsevier Science INC, Australia, pp. 1410-1416.

Fisher, J.R.W., Tran, T.D., Nguyen, T.T., Tran, T., 2012, Common perinatal mental disorders and alcohol dependence in men in northern Viet Nam, Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol 140, issue 1, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 97-101.

Fisher, J.R.W., Tran, T.D., Nguyen, T.T., Tran, T., 2012, Common perinatal mental disorders and alcohol dependence in men in northern Viet Nam, Journal of Affective Disorders [E], vol 140, issue 1, Elsevier science BV, Australia, pp. 97-101.

Tran, T.D., Tran, T., Wynter, K.H., Fisher, J.R.W., 2012, Interactions among alcohol dependence, perinatal common mental disorders and violence in couples in rural Vietnam: a cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling, BMC Psychiatry [P], vol 12, issue Art No.: 148, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-9.

Newton, D., Keogh, L., Temple-Smith, M., Fairley, C.K., Chen, M.Y., Bayly, C.M., Williams, H., McNamee, K.M., Henning, D., Hsueh, A., Fisher, J.R.W., Hocking, J., 2012, Key informant perceptions of youth-focussed sexual health promotion programs in Australia, Sexual Health [E], vol 10, issue 1, C S I R O Publishing, Australia, pp. 47-56.

Bolch, C.E., Davis, P.G., Umstad, M.P., Fisher, J.R.W., 2012, Multiple birth families with children with special needs: a qualitative investigation of mothers' experience, Twin Research and Human Genetics [P], vol 15, issue 4, Australian ACAD Press, Australia, pp. 503-515.

Fisher, J.R.W., de Mello, M.C., Patel, V., Rahman, A., Tran, T., Holton, S., Holmes, W., 2012, Prevalence and determinants of common perinatal mental disorders in women in low- and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review, Bulletin Of The World Health Organization [P], vol 90, issue 2, World Health Organization, Switzerland, pp. 139-149.

Fisher, J.R.W., Tran, T., Tran, T.D., Dwyer, T., Nguyen, T.T., Casey, G.J., Simpson, J.A., Hanieh, S., Biggs, B., 2012, Prevalence and risk factors for symptoms of common mental disorders in early and late pregnancy in Vietnamese women: a prospective population-based study , Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol 146, issue 2, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 213-219.

Fisher, J.R.W., Hammarberg, K., 2012, Psychological and social aspects of infertility in men: an overview of the evidence and implications for psychologically informed clinical care and future research, Asian Journal of Andrology [P], vol 14, Nature Publishing Group, USA, pp. 121-129.

Xu, Y., Herrman, H., Tsutsumi, A., Fisher, J.R.W., 2012, Psychological and social consequences of losing a child in a natural or human-made disaster: a review of the evidence, Asia-Pacific Psychiatry [P], vol ePub, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, VIC Australia, pp. 1-12.

Holton, S., Kirkman, M., Rowe, H., Fisher, J.R.W., 2012, The childbearing concerns and related information needs and preferences of women of reproductive age with a chronic, noncommunicable health condition: a systematic review, Women's Health Issues [P], vol 22, issue 6, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. e541-e552.

Fisher, J.R.W., Chatham, E., Haseler, S., McGaw, B., Thompson, J., 2012, Uneven implementation of the national perinatal depression initiative: findings from a survey of Australian women's hospitals, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology [E], vol 52, issue 6, Wiley-blackwell, Australia, pp. 559-564.

Fisher, J.R.W., Tran, T.D., Biggs, B., Tran, T., 2012, Validation of the Intimate Bonds Measure for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth in Vietnam, Asia-Pacific Psychiatry [P], vol ePub, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, VIC Australia, pp. 1-10.

Quinlivan, J.A., Lam, L., Fisher, J., 2011, A randomised trial of a four-step multidisciplinary approach to the antenatal care of obese pregnant women, Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology [P], vol 51, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 141-146.

Fisher, J., Rowe, H., Hammarberg, K., 2011, Admission of women, with their infants, for psychological and psychiatric causes in Victoria, Australia, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health [P], vol 32, issue 2, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 146-150.

McMahon, C., Boivin, J., Gibson, F., Hammarberg, K., Wynter, K., Saunders, D., Fisher, J., 2011, Age at first birth, mode of conception and psychological wellbeing in pregnancy: Findings from the parental age and transition to parenthood Australia (PATPA) study, Human Reproduction [P], vol 26, issue 6, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1389-1398.

Wynter, K., Rowe, H., Fisher, J., Lee, M., Quinlivan, J.A., 2011, Are adolescents decisions about prenatal screening for Down Syndrome informed? A controlled, prospective study, Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology [P], vol 24, issue 1, Elsevier Inc., USA, pp. 29-34.

Hammarberg, K., Fisher, J., Wynter, K., Rowe, H., 2011, Breastfeeding after assisted conception: a prospective cohort study, Acta Paediatrica [P], vol 100, issue 4, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 529-533.

Cherniak, D., Fisher, J., 2011, Explaining obstetric interventionism: Technical skills, common conceptualisations, or collective countertransference?, Women's Studies International Forum [P], vol 31, Pergamon, United Kingdom, pp. 270-277.

Fisher, J., Tran, T., Biggs, B., Tuan, T., Dwyer, T., Casey, G., Tho, D., Hetzel, B., 2011, Iodine status in late pregnancy and iodised salt use in Red River Delta rural areas of Vietnam, Bulletin Of The World Health Organization [P], vol Online, World Health Organization, Switzerland, pp. 1-16.

Fisher, J., Tran, T., Biggs, B., Tran, T., Dwyer, T., Casey, G., Tho, D., Hetzel, B., 2011, Iodine status in late pregnancy and psychosocial determinants of iodized salt use in rural northern Viet Nam, Bulletin Of The World Health Organization [P], vol 89, World Health Organization, Switzerland, pp. 813-820.

Wilson, C.L., Fisher, J., Hammarberg, K., Amor, D.J., Halliday, J., 2011, Looking downstream: a review of the literature on physical and psychosocial health outcomes in adolescents and young adults who were conceived by ART, Human Reproduction [P], vol 26, issue 5, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1209-1219.

Fisher, J., de Mello, M., Izutsu, T., Vijayakumar, L., Belfer, M., Omigbodun, O., 2011, Nature, prevalence and determinants of common mental health problems and their management in primary health care, International Journal of Social Psychiatry [P], vol 57, issue 9, Sage Publications Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 9-12.

McMahon, C., Boivin, J., Gibson, F., Fisher, J., Hammarberg, K., Wynter, K., Saunders, D., 2011, Older first-time mothers and early postpartum depression: A prospective cohort study of women conceiving spontaneously or with assisted reproductive technologies, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 96, issue 5, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 1218-1224.

Tran, T., Tran, T., La, B., Lee, D., Rosenthal, D., Fisher, J., 2011, Screening for perinatal common mental disorders in women in the north of Vietnam: A comparison of three psychometric instruments, Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol 133, issue 1-2, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 281-293.

Fisher, J., 2011, Soothing the unsettled baby, Medical observer [P], vol epub, UBM Medica, England, p. 35.

Fisher, J., de Mello, M., Izutsu, T., Tran, T., 2011, The Ha Noi expert statement: recognition of maternal mental health in resource-constrained settings is essential for achieving the millennium development goals, International Journal of Mental Health Systems [E], vol 5, issue 2, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-6.

Amir, L., Cullinane, M., Garland, S., Tabrizi, S., Donath, S., Bennett, C., Cooklin, A., Fisher, J., Payne, M., 2011, The role of micro-organisms (Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans) in the pathogenesis of breast pain and infection in lactating women: study protocol, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth [P], vol 11, issue 54, BioMed Central Ltd., United Kingdom, pp. 1-10.

Holton, S., Fisher, J., Rowe, H., 2011, To have or not to have? Australian women's childbearing desires, expectations and outcomes, Journal of Population Research [P], vol 28, issue 4, Springer, Australia, pp. 353-379.

McCallum, S., Rowe, H., Gurrin, L., Quinlivan, J., Rosenthal, D., Fisher, J., 2011, Unsettled infant behaviour and health service use: A cross-sectional community survey in Melbourne, Australia, Journal Of Paediatrics And Child Health [P], vol epub, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-6.

Fisher, J., de Mello, M., 2011, Using the World Health Organization's 4S-framework to strengthen national strategies, policies and services to address mental health problems in adolescents in esource-constrained settings, International Journal of Mental Health Systems [E], vol 5, issue Art. No: 23, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-13.

Tran, T., Tran, T., Fisher, J., 2011, Validation of three psychometric instruments for screening for perinatal common mental disorders in men in the north of Vietnam, Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol E, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 1-6.

Holton, S., Rowe, H., Fisher, J., 2011, Women's health and their childbearing expectations and outcomes: A population-based survey from Victoria, Australia, Women's Health Issues [P], vol 21, issue 5, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 366-373.

Fisher, J., Tran, T., La, B., Kriitmaa, K., Rosenthal, D., Tran, T., 2010, Common perinatal mental disorders in northern Viet Nam: Community prevalence and health care use [Troubles mentaux perinataux communs dans le Nord du Viet Nam: Prevalence communautaire et utilisation des soins de sante], Bulletin Of The World Health Organization [P], vol 88, issue 10, World Health Organization, Switzerland, pp. 737-745.

Rowe, H., Fisher, J., 2010, Development of a universal psycho-educational intervention to prevent common postpartum mental disorders in primiparous women: A multiple method approach, BMC Public Health [P], vol 10, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-15.

Fisher, J., Wynter, K., Rowe, H., 2010, Innovative psycho-educational program to prevent common postpartum mental disorders in primiparous women: A before and after controlled study, BMC Public Health [P], vol 10, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-15.

Fisher, J., Baker, G., Hammarberg, K., 2010, Long-term health, well-being, life satisfaction, and attitudes toward parenthood in men diagnosed as infertile: challenges to gender stereotypes and implications for practice, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 94, issue 2, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 574-580.

Hammarberg, K., Baker, H., Fisher, J., 2010, Men's experiences of infertility and infertility treatment 5 years after diagnosis of male factor infertility: A retrospective cohort study, Human Reproduction [P], vol 25, issue 11, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 2815-2820.

Holton, S., Fisher, J.R., Rowe, H., 2010, Motherhood: Is it good for women's mental health?, Journal Of Reproductive And Infant Psychology [P], vol 28, issue 3, Routledge, United Kingdom, pp. 223-239.

Fisher, J., 2010, Small survey finds that new mothers use self-care approaches to manage fatigue more often than other strategies such as seeking help from others, Evidence-based nursing [E], vol 13, issue 4, B M J Group, United Kingdom, pp. 116-117.

Rowe, H., Fisher, J., 2010, The contribution of Australian residential early parenting centres to comprehensive mental health care for mothers of infants: Evidence from a prospective study, International Journal of Mental Health Systems [E], vol 4, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-12.

Moodie, M., Fisher, J., 2009, Are youth mentoring programs good value-for-money? An evaluation of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne program, BMC Public Health [P], vol 9, issue Art. No: 41, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-9.

Holton, S., Fisher, J., Rowe, H., 2009, Attitudes toward women and motherhood: their role in Australian women's childbearing behaviour, Sex Roles [P], vol 61, issue 9-10, Springer New York LLC, United States, pp. 677-687.

Fisher, J., 2009, Brief behavioural intervention for infant sleep problems reduces depression in mothers, Evidence-based mental health [P], vol 12, issue 2, B M J Group, United Kingdom, p. 46.

Oddy, B., Rowe, H., Fisher, J.R., 2009, Consumers views on the use of diagnostic labels to describe psychological distress in the postpartum: Implications for health care, Australian Journal of Primary Health [P], vol 15, C S I R O Publishing, Australia, pp. 9-16.

Hammarberg, K., Rowe, H., Fisher, J.R., 2009, Early post-partum adjustment and admission to parenting services in Victoria, Australia after assisted conception, Human Reproduction [P], vol 24, issue 11, Oxford University Press, UK, pp. 2801-2809.

Wong, J., Fisher, J.R., 2009, The role of traditional confinement practices in determining postpartum depression in women in Chinese cultures: A systematic review of the English language evidence, Journal of Affective Disorders [P], vol 116, issue 3, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 161-169.

Rowe, H., Fisher, J., Quinlivan, J., 2009, Women who are well informed about prenatal genetic screening delay emotional attachment to their fetus, Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology [P], vol 30, issue 1, Informa Healthcare, United Kingdom, pp. 34-41.

Fisher, J., Hammarberg, K., Gordon Baker, H., 2008, Antenatal mood and fetal attachment after assisted conception, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 89, issue 5, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 1103-1112.

Fisher, J., Hammarberg, K., Gordon Baker, H., McBain, J., 2008, Assessing the health and development of ART-conceived young adults: A study of feasibility, parent recall, and acceptability, Reproductive Health [P], vol 5, issue Art. No: 7, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-13.

Kirkman, M., Fisher, J., 2008, Editors introduction, Women's Studies International Forum [P], vol 31, Pergamon, United Kingdom, pp. 233-234.

Hammarberg, K., Fisher, J., Wynter, K., 2008, Psychological and social aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting after assisted conception: A systematic review, Human Reproduction [P], vol 14, issue 5, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 395-414.

Rowe, H., Fisher, J., Loh, W., 2008, The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale detects but does not distinguish anxiety disorders from depression in mothers of infants, Archives Of Womens Mental Health [P], vol 11, issue 2, Springer Wien, Austria, pp. 103-108.

Hammarberg, K., Fisher, J., Rowe, H., 2008, Women's experiences of childbirth and post-natal healthcare after assisted conception, Human Reproduction [P], vol 23, issue 7, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, pp. 1567-1573.

Cooklin, A., Rowe, H., Fisher, J., 2007, Employee entitlements during pregnancy and maternal psychological well-being, Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology [P], vol 47, issue 6, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 483-490.

Fisher, J., Tran, H., Tran, T., 2007, Relative socioeconomic advantage and mood during advanced pregnancy in women in Vietnam, International Journal of Mental Health Systems [E], vol 1, issue Art. No: 3, BioMed Central Ltd, United Kingdom, pp. 1-9.

Rowe, H., Fisher, J., Quinlivan, J., 2006, Are pregnant Australian women well informed about prenatal genetic screening? A systematic investigation using the Multidimensional Measure of Informed Choice, Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology [P], vol 46, issue 5, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 433-439.

Fisher, J., 2006, Psychological and social implications of multiple gestation and birth, Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology [P], vol 46, issue Suppl s1, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. S34-S37.

Fisher, J., Hammarberg, K., Gordon Baker, H., 2005, Assisted conception is a risk factor for postnatal mood disturbance and early parenting difficulties, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 84, issue 2, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 426-430.

Hammarberg, K., Fisher, J., Rowe, H., 2005, Burden of infertility and treatment (BIT) scale - a useful measure of degree of difficulty to conceive?, Fertility and Sterility [P], vol 0, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 2-5.

Fisher, J., Tattam, A., Rowe, H., 2005, Early parenting difficulties: Implications for health services policy, Health Issues [P], vol 84, Health Issues Centre Inc., Australia, pp. 18-21.

Other

Fisher, J., Rowe, H., Hiscock, H., Jordan, B., Bayer, J., Colahan, A., Amery, V., 2011, Understanding and responding to unsettled infant behaviour: A discussion paper for the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, Australia, pp. 1-60.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Adolescent mental health in Viet Nam: magnitude of the problem and correlated factors.

Supervisors:

Fisher, J (Main), Holton, S (Associate).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Efficiency and equity of perinatal mental health services.

Supervisors:

Lancsar, E (Joint-co), Lorgelly, P (Associate), Fisher, J (Associate).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy: a study of Nepal.

Supervisors:

Fisher, J (Main), Wynter, K (Associate).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Filicide by women in Malaysia.

Supervisors:

Fisher, J (Main).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Listening to women: The psychosocial factors associated with diagnosis of endometriosis.

Supervisors:

Fisher, J (Joint), Kirkman, M (Joint-co).

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

Preventing weight gain in reproductive aged women at high risk of weight gain.

Supervisors:

Fisher, J (Main), Clarke, D (Associate), Rowe, H (Associate), Mckenzie, D (Associate), Teede, H (Associate).