She is also a behavioral sleep psychologist in Riley Hospital’s sleep clinic.
Her research focuses on the mental health of children and caregivers in chronic health conditions, adherence to treatment, and sleep disorders in children.
Dr. Walsh is currently focusing on the impact of chronic health conditions, such as Cystic Fibrosis, on the levels of depression and anxiety in adolescents with the disease, as well as identifying other risk factors that affect psychological functioning. Risk factors include other health conditions, current health status, and socio-emotional circumstances. Dr. Walsh is also working to identify the mental health needs of caregivers of children with chronic health conditions, particularly following their child’s diagnosis. Additional research interests include PAP adherence in children with obstructive sleep apnea, adherence to medical treatments, and the impact of chronic health conditions on sleep efficiency.
Research:
- Improving the rate of adherence for medical treatments in chronic health conditions, such as Cystic Fibrosis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- Identifying risk factors for higher rates of mental health diagnoses in children and adolescents with chronic conditions, as well as those mitigating factors that lower susceptibility to mental health issues.
- Identifying ways to improve access and involvement in mental health treatment in patients with an already high burden of care.
- Addressing behavioral causes of insomnia and the impact of increased access to electronics on higher rates of sleep disorders and overall insufficient sleep in children and adolescents.
