Dr Martin O'Flaherty
Research Fellow
School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Researcher biography
Dr Martin O'Flahertyis a research fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course located in the Institute for Social Science Research. Martin has made important contributions to the evaluation of nationally significant social policy, often working with the Department of Social Services. Notable highlights include designing the impact evaluation for the $90 million Try, Test, and Learn Fund and leading the evaluation of the Building Capacity in Australia's Parents trial and the National Community Awareness Raising initiative. He is the quantitative lead for recently announced Community Refugee Integration and Sponsorship Pilot, funded by the Department of Home Affairs, which is investigating the feasibility of alternative settlement pathways for unlinked humanitarian migrants.
Martin's broader research centres on the intersection of family, health, and disadvantage over the life course, using advanced quantitative methods to unlock causal and longitudinal perspectives on important social problems. Recent work has investigated patterns and determinants of children's and adolescents' time-use, including for adolescents with disability and LGBTQ adolescents. He has also led research using state-of-the-art machine learning methodology to study heterogeneous effects of teenage motherhood on later life mental health. Martin's current research is primarily focussed on understanding the nature, causes of, and solutions to, poverty and financial insecurity among children with disabilities and their families. His work has appeared in leading international journals including Demography, Child Development, and The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health among others.
Publications
Journal Articles
O’Flaherty, Martin, King, Tania and Kavanagh, Anne (2024). Coming of age on the margins: a life course perspective on the time use of Australian adolescents with disabilities. Social Forces, 102 (4) soad127, 1608-1628. doi: 10.1093/sf/soad127
Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phillips, James F. and O'Flaherty, Martin J. (2023). Effect of a community-based primary healthcare programme on adverse pregnancy outcomes in Northern Ghana. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 39 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3730
O'Flaherty, Martin, Kalucza, Sara and Bon, Joshua (2023). Does anyone suffer from teenage motherhood? Mental health effects of teen motherhood in Great Britain are small and homogeneous. Demography, 60 (3), 707-729. doi: 10.1215/00703370-10788364
Kanmiki, Edmund W., Mamun, Abdullah A., Phillips, James F. and O’Flaherty, Martin J. (2023). Equity in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana: do community‐based primary health care programmes matter?. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 28 (5), 409-418. doi: 10.1111/tmi.13873
King, Tania L., Shields, Marissa, O’Flaherty, Martin, Kavanagh, Anne and Spittal, Matthew J. (2023). Use of parental disability trajectories to identify adolescents who are young carers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52 (2), 449-460. doi: 10.1007/s10964-022-01627-z
O'Flaherty, Martin, Baxter, Janeen and Campbell, Alice (2022). Do extracurricular activities contribute to better adolescent outcomes? A fixed‐effects panel data approach. Journal of Adolescence, 94 (6), 855-866. doi: 10.1002/jad.12069
Huda, M. Mamun, Finlay, Jocelyn E., O’Flaherty, Martin and Al Mamun, Abdullah (2022). Transition in social risk factors and adolescent motherhood in low- income and middle- income countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Survey data, 1996–2018. PLOS Global Public Health, 2 (5) e0000170, 1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000170
Huda, M. Mamun, O'Flaherty, Martin, Finlay, Jocelyn Edwina, Edmed, Shannon and Mamun, Abdullah Al (2022). Partner’s characteristics and adolescent motherhood among married adolescent girls in 48 low-income and middle-income countries: a population-based study. BMJ Open, 12 (3) e055021, e055021. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055021
Coles, Laetitia, Thorpe, Karen, Smith, Simon, Hewitt, Belinda, Ruppanner, Leah, Bayliss, Olivia, O'Flaherty, Martin and Staton, Sally (2022). Children's sleep and fathers' health and wellbeing: a systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 61 101570, 101570. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101570
Huda, M. Mamun, O'Flaherty, Martin, Finlay, Jocelyn E. and Al Mamun, Abdullah (2021). Time trends and sociodemographic inequalities in the prevalence of adolescent motherhood in 74 low-income and middle-income countries: a population-based study. Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 5 (1), 26-36. doi: 10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30311-4
O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2019). The ‘developmental gradient’ revisited: Australian children's time with adult caregivers from infancy to middle childhood. Social Science Research, 86 102397, 102397. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2019.102397
Perales, Francisco, Campbell, Alice and O'Flaherty, Martin (2019). Sexual orientation and adolescent time use: how sexual minority youth spend their time. Child Development, 91 (3) cdev.13245, 983-1000. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13245
Lam, Jack, O’Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2019). The scars of the past? Childhood health and health differentials in later life. SSM - Population Health, 7 100354, 100354. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100354
Lam, Jack, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2018). Dynamics of parental work hours, job security, and child behavioural problems in Australian dual-earner families. Child Indicators Research, 11 (5), 1477-1493. doi: 10.1007/s12187-017-9473-8
O'Flaherty, Martin, Baxter, Janeen, Haynes, Michele and Turrell, Gavin (2016). The family life course and health: partnership, fertility histories, and later-life physical health trajectories in Australia. Demography, 53 (3), 777-804. doi: 10.1007/s13524-016-0478-6
Perales, Francisco, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2015). Early life course family structure and children’s socio-emotional development: a view from Australia. Child Indicators Research, 9 (4), 1003-1028. doi: 10.1007/s12187-015-9356-9
Skinner, Elizabeth H., Foster, Michele, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Haynes, Michele, O’Flaherty, Martin and Haines, Terry P. (2013). Effect of health insurance on the utilisation of allied health services by people with chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Australian Journal of Primary Health, Online Early (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1071/PY13092
Foster, Michele, O'Flaherty, Martin, Haynes, Michele, Mitchell, Geoffrey and Haines, Terrence P. (2013). Health for all? Patterns and predictors of allied health service use in Australia. Australian Health Review, 37 (3), 389-396. doi: 10.1071/AH12040
Kelly, Adrian B., O’Flaherty, Martin, Toumbourou, John W., Homel, Ross, Patton, George C., White, Angela and Williams, Joanne (2012). The influence of families on early adolescent school connectedness: Evidence that this association varies with adolescent involvement in peer drinking networks. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40 (3), 437-447. doi: 10.1007/s10802-011-9577-4
Kelly, Adrian B., Chan, Gary C. K., Toumbourou, John W., O'Flaherty, Martin, Homel, Ross, Patton, George C. and Williams, Joanne (2012). Very young adolescents and alcohol: Evidence of a unique susceptibility to peer alcohol use.. Addictive Behaviors, 37 (4), 414-419. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.038
Kelly, Adrian, Chan, Gary C. K. and O'Flaherty, Martin (2012). How important is the context of an adolescent's first alcoholic drink? Evidence that parental provision may reduce later heavy episodic drinking. European Addiction Research, 18 (3), 140-148. doi: 10.1159/000335059
Turrell, Gavin, Haynes, Michele, O'Flaherty, Martin, Burton, Nicola, Giskes, Katrina, Giles-Corti, Billie and Wilson, Lee-Ann (2011). Test-retest reliability of perceptions of the neighborhood environment for physical activity by socioeconomic status. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 8 (6), 829-840. doi: 10.1123/jpah.8.6.829
Kelly, Adrian B., O'Flaherty, Martin, Toumbourou, John W., Connor, Jason P., Hemphill, Sheryl A. and Catalano, Richard F. (2011). Gender differences in the impact of families on alcohol use: A lagged longitudinal study of early adolescents. Addiction, 106 (8), 1427-1436. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03435.x
Kelly, Adrian B., O'Flaherty, Martin, Connor, Jason P., Homel, Ross, Toumbourou, John W., Patton, George C. and Williams, Joanne (2011). The influence of parents, siblings and peers on pre- and early-teen smoking: A multilevel model. Drug and Alcohol Review, 30 (4), 381-387. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2010.00231.x
Kelly, Adrian B., Toumbourou, John W., O’Flaherty, Martin, Patton, George C., Homel, Ross, Connor, Jason P. and Williams, Joanne (2011). Family relationship quality and early alcohol use: Evidence for gender-specific risk processes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 72 (3), 399-407. doi: 10.15288/jsad.2011.72.399
Seelig, Tim, Han, Jung Hoon, O’Flaherty, Martin, Haynes, Michele, Western, Mark, Short, Trisch, Baum, Scott and Jones, Andrew (2008). What are the housing tenure pathways of income support recipients over time?. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Research and Policy Bulletin (103), 1-4.
O'Flaherty, Martin, Skrbis, Zlatko and Tranter, Bruce (2007). Home visits: Transnationalism among Australian migrants. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 30 (5), 817-844. doi: 10.1080/01419870701491820
Western, Mark C., Baxter, Janeen H., Pakulski, J, Tranter, Bruce, Western, John S., Van Egmond, Marcellinus H., Jennifer Chesters, Amanda Hosking, Martin O'Flaherty and Yolanda Van Gellecum (2007). Neoliberalism, inequality and politics: The changing face of Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42 (3), 401-418. doi: 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2007.tb00066.x
Short, Patricia, Minnery, John, Mead, Elspeth, O'Flaherty, Martin and Peake, Andrew (2006). Tenancy databases, professional practices and housing access among low-income tenants in the private rental sector in Australia. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 30 (4), 930-943. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2006.00701.x
Conference Papers
Coles, L., Thorpe, K., Smith, S., Hewitt, B., Ruppanner, L., Bayliss, O., O’Flaherty, M. and Staton, S. (2021). Children’s sleep and fathers’ health and wellbeing: a systematic review. 32nd annual scientific meeting of Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) & Australian and New Zealand Sleep Science Association (ANZSSA), Online, 10 - 13 October 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.072
Huda, M. M., O’Flaherty, M., Finlay, J. E. and Mamun, A. A. (2019). Trends, determinants and inequalities in adolescent motherhood in 74 low and middle-income countries: a population-based study. RCPCH and SAHM Adolescent Health Conference; Coming of Age, Windsor, United Kingdom, 18-19 September 2019. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2019-rcpch-sahm.15
Lam, Jack, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2018). The scars of the past? Childhood health and health differentials in later life. International Sociological Association RC06 & RC41 Joint Conference, Singapore, 17-19 May 2018.
Lam, Jack, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2018). The scars of the past? Childhood health and health differentials in later life. Society for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies International Conference, Milan, Italy, 9-11 July 2018.
Lam, Jack , O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2018). The scars of the past? Childhood health and health differentials in later life. The Australian Sociological Association Conference 2018, Melbourne VIC Australia, 19-22 November 2018.
Lam, Jack, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2016). Dynamics of Parental Work Hours, Job Insecurity, and Child Well-Being During Middle Childhood in Australian Dual-Income Families. SSLS 2016: Society for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies International Conference, Bamberg, Germany, 6-8 October 2016.
Haynes, M. A., O’Flaherty, M., Baxter, J. and Turrell, G. (2016). Age at First Birth and Health-Related Behaviour Change: Roles and Resources. RC28 Intergenerational Transfer, Human Capital, and Inequality Conference, Singapore, 26-28 May 2016.
Jack Lam, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2016). Parental Employment Conditions, Work-family Stress, and Child Wellbeing In Australian Dual-earner Households. International Sociological Association, Research Committee on Social Stratification RC28, Singapore, 26-28 May 2016.
Kelly, Adrian, Toumbourou, John, O’Flaherty, Martin, Patton, George, Homel, Ross, Connor, Jason, Hemphill, Sheryl, Williams, Joanne and Catalano, Richard (2012). Gender-based variations in the association of family relationship quality and alcohol use among very young adolescents 20th annual meeting of the Society for Prevention Research. Society for Prevention Research 20th Annual Meeting, Washington, United States, 28 May - 1 June 2012.
Kelly, Adrian B., O’Flaherty, Martin, Toumborou, John W., Connor, Jason P., Hemphill, Sheryl A. and Catalano, Richard F. (2011). Gender differences in the impact of families on alcohol use: A lagged longitudinal study of pre-teens. 6th International Conference on Drugs and Young People, Melbourne, Australia, 2-4 May 2011.
Connor, Jason P., Kelly, Adrian B., O'Flaherty, Martin, Toumbourou, John W., Hemphill, Sheryl A. and Catalano, Richard F. (2011). Gender differences in the impact of families on alcohol use: A lagged longitudinal study of early adolescents. 6th International Conference on Drugs and Young People, Melbourme, Australia, 2-4 May, 2011.
Kelly, A.B., O'Flaherty, M., Connor, J.P., Homel, R., Toumbourou, J.W., Patton, G.C. and Williams, J. (2010). Multi-level and modifiable factors that underlie community variation in child tobacco use. 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 11-16 July 2010. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Australian Psychological Society.
Jennifer Chesters, Martin O'Flaherty and Western, John S. (2007). Social Class and the Rise of the Self-Employed. TASA & SAANZ Joint Conference 2007, Auckland New Zealand, 4-7 December 2007. Auckland New Zealand: Department of Sociology, The University of Auckland.
Western, M. C. and O'Flaherty, M. J. (2005). Changing economic attitudes in Australia: 1987 - 2004. TASA 2005 Conference, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia, 4-8 December 2005. Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria: The Australian Sociological Association (TASA).
Thesis
O'Flaherty, Martin (2017). Family formation patterns and physical health in Australia: a life course approach. PhD Thesis, Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.39
Working Papers
Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Mamun, Abdullah, Phillips, James F. and O'Flaherty, Martin (2023). Effect of a community-based primary healthcare program on childhood morbidity: a decomposition analysis. LCC Working Paper Series. 2023-09. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/b734754
Kanmiki, Edmund Wedam, Mamun, Abdullah A., Phillips, James F. and O’Flaherty, Martin (2023). Effect of a community-based primary healthcare program on childhood morbidity: a decomposition analysis. Life Course Centre Working Paper Series. 2023-09. nstitute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia.
O'Flaherty, M., King, T. and Kavanagh, A. (2022). Coming of Age on the Margins: A Life Course Perspective on the Time-Use of Australian Adolescents with Disabilities. LCC Working Paper Series. 2022-04. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
O'Flaherty, Martin, Baxter, Janeen and Campbell, Alice (2022). Do extracurricular activities contribute to positive adolescent development? Longitudinal evidence from Australia. LCC Working Paper Series. 2022-03. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
O'Flaherty, Martin, Kalucza, Sara and Bon, Joshua (2021). Does anyone suffer from teenage motherhood? Mental health effects of teen motherhood in the UK are small and homogenous. LCC Working Paper Series. 2021-20. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2018). The ‘developmental gradient’ revisited: Australian children’s time with adult caregivers from infancy to middle childhood. LCC Working Paper Series. 2018–16. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Baldwin, Elizabeth and O'Flaherty, Martin (2018). Enriching the rich? A review of extracurricular activities, socioeconomic status and adolescent achievement. LCC Working Paper Series. 2018–17. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Lam, Jack, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2016). Dynamics of parental work hours, job insecurity, and child wellbeing during middle childhood in Australian dual-income families. LCC Working Paper Series. 2016-11. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
O'Flaherty, Martin, Baxter, Janeen, Haynes, Michele and Turrell, Gavin (2015). The family life course and health: partnership and fertility histories and physical health trajectories in later life. LCC Working Paper Series. 2015-29. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
O'Flaherty, Martin, Baxter, Janeen, Haynes, Michele and Turrell, Gavin (2015). Age at first birth and long-term health in life course perspective: contextualizing the health effects of fertility timing. LCC Working Paper Series. 2015-28. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Perales, Francisco, O'Flaherty, Martin and Baxter, Janeen (2015). Early life course family structure and children’s socio-emotional and behavioural functioning: a view from Australia. LCC Working Paper Series. 2015-12. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Research Reports
Povey, Jenny, Cook, Stephanie, O'Flaherty, Martin, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Lee, Rennie, Liudmila Druzenko, Karlee O'Donnell, Sharma, Nikita, Lata, Lutfun Nahar, Young, Charlotte, San Martin Porter, Macarena, Hoffstaedter, Gerhard, Martin, Sean, Edwards, Ben, Baxter, Janeen and Reddel, Tim (2022). CRISP Evaluation Plan. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Baxter, Janeen , Povey, Jenny , Burger, Sarah-Ann , Cook, Stephanie , Tseng, Yi-Ping , Polidano, Cain , Kalb, Guyonne , Mamun, Abdullah , Ahmad, Shabbir , O'Flaherty, Martin , Borland, Jeff , Plage, Stefanie , Bellotti, Melindy , Kennedy, Elizabeth , Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Western, Mark (2021). Try, Test and Learn Evaluation - Final Report. Prepared for Department of Social Service. Institute for Social Science Research - Publications Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
Baxter, Janeen, Povey, Jenny, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Plage, Stefanie, Kennedy, Elizabeth, O'Flaherty, Martin, Tseng, Yi-Ping, Polidano, Cain, Kalb, Guyonne, Borland, Jeff, Ribar, David, Mamun, Abdullah, Ball, Sarah, Gramotnev, Alexandra, Bellotti, Melindy, Simpson Reeves, Laura, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Western, Mark (2020). Try, test and learn evaluation - interim report. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Baxter, J., Povey, J., McKay, R., Kalb, G., Ribar, D., Abdullah, M., Borland, J., Ambrey, C., O'Flaherty, M., Tseng, Y., Polidano, C., Western, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2018). Evaluation of the Try, Test and Learn (TTL) Fund project plan. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland.
Foster, M., Haynes, M., O'Flaherty, M., Mitchell, G., Skinner, E. and Haines, T. (2012). Utilisation of allied health services by people with chronic disease: Differences across health insurance coverage and policy change. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland.
Seelig, Timothy G., Martin O'Flaherty, Haynes, Michele A. and Han, Jung H. (2008). Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time. AHURI Final Report series Melbourne, Australia: AHURI (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute) Queensland Research Centre.
Seelig, Tim, Han, Jung Hoon, O'Flaherty, Martin, Short, Patricia, Haynes, Michele A., Baum, Scott William, Western, Mark C. and Jones, Andrew (2005). Housing consumption patterns and earnings behaviour of income support recipients over time. AHURI Positioning Papers Melbourne, Australia: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
Short, Patricia, Minnery, John, Mead, Elspeth, Adkins, Barbara, Peake, Andrew, Fedrick, Debbie and O'Flaherty, Martin (2003). Tenancy databases: risk minimisation and outcomes: final report. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Final Reports Melbourne, VIC Australia: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
Generic Documents
Thorpe, K., O'Flaherty, M., Huang, Y. and Staton, S. (2021). National Community Awareness Raising (NCAR) Evaluation Report. Department of Social Services, Australian Government.
O'Flaherty, M., Staton, S. and Thorpe, K. (2020). Building Capacity in Australian Parents Trail: Final Evaluation Report for the Australian Government. Department of Social Services, Australian Government.
O'Flaherty, M., Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Cooke, E. and Povey, J. (2019). National Community Awareness Raising (NCAR) evaluation interim report. Australian Government, Department of Social Services (DSS).
O'Flaherty, M., Thorpe, K., Staton, S., Coles, L., Povey, J. and Rankin, P. (2019). Building Capacity in Australian Parents (BCAP) (Trial Interim Report). Department of Social Services, Australian Government.