The Triple B Study: Bumps, Babies and Beyond is an innovative Australian study of approximately 1,600 families. The project is a longitudinal pregnancy cohort which examines a range of biopsychosocial factors that relate to the health and development of Australian children and families.
Importantly, the project has a key focus on examining the impacts of substance use and mental health in pregnant women and their partners during the prenatal period on child development and family functioning. The results of this study will inform public health and treatment initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of Australian children and families.
Study focus
Effects of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs) and mental health during pregnancy in women and partners on child development and family functioning.
Sampling frame
Women attending antenatal services attached to major hospitals, and specialist drug and alcohol antenatal services, in New South Wales and Western Australia.
Data access
Yes, with formal approval from study investigators.
Time period
2009 - OngoingOriginal sample size
1,623Intergenerational
YesImaging
NoLinkage
Yes – NAPLANBiosamples
Buccal, UrineEthics approvals or requirements
This project only (Specific consent); Future research related to this project (Extended consent)Waves
| Wave | Year / Period | Age (mean, range) | Eligible sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-2013 | Prenatal – Trimester 1 | 1,621 families (1,533 mothers general antenatal clinics / 88 mothers specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics) |
| 2 | 2009-2013 | Prenatal – Trimester 2 | 1,596 families (1,511 mothers general antenatal clinics / 85 mothers specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics) |
| 3 | 2009-2013 | Prenatal – Trimester 3 | 1,579 families (1,498 mothers; 824 partners general antenatal clinics / 81 mothers specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics) |
| 4 | 2009-2013 | Birth | 1,479 families (1,414 mothers; 1,453 offspring; 1,376 singletons, 37 twin pairs, 1 set of triplets general antenatal clinics / 65 mothers; 65 offspring, all singletons specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics) |
| 5 | 2009-2013 | Postpartum / Infancy 8 weeks of age |
1,460 families (1,399 mothers; 685 partners*; 1,436 infant offspring general antenatal clinics / 61 mothers and infant offspring specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics) *The 8-week follow-up interview for partners was introduced after the pilot study. As such, 8-week data were unavailable for 60 participating partners, as it was not offered. |
| 6 | 2010-2014 | Infancy 12 months of age |
1,289 mothers; 711 partners; 1,324 infant offspring general antenatal clinics / 48 mothers; 48 infant offspring specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics |
| 7 | 2013-2014 | Preschool 3 years of age |
Substudy: 132 families |
| 8 | 2017-2022 | Middle childhood 8 years of age |
1,103 mothers; 839 partners; 1,084 child offspring general antenatal clinics / 19 child offspring specialist drug and alcohol antenatal clinics |
Key references
Hutchinson, D., Wilson, J., Allsop, S., Elliott, E., Najman, J., Burns, L., Bartu, A., Jacobs, S., Honan, I., McCormack, C., Rossen, L., Fiedler, H., Stone, C., Khor, S., Ryan, J., Youssef, G. J., Olsson, C. A., Mattick, R. P. & The Triple B Research Consortium (2018). Cohort Profile: The Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study: A longitudinal study of the relationship between alcohol, tobacco and other substance use during pregnancy and the health and well-being of Australian children and families. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(1), 26-27m. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx126
Primary institution
Collaborating institutions
Major funding sources
Contact
Cohort Representative
Address
Triple B Study,School of Psychology,
Deakin University,
221 Burwood Hwy
Burwood VIC 3125