Janet Mah

Overview: Dr. Janet Mah is a clinical child psychologist in Outpatient Mental Health at BC Children’s Hospital, and is part of the psychiatry clinical faculty at the University of British Columbia. Her clinical and translational research focuses on parenting contributors to treatment engagement and adherence, and mental health literacy and stigma among cultural groups.
Publications: The Association Between the Impact of COVID-19 and Internalizing Problems Among Children and Adolescents with ADHD: The Moderating Role of Parental Anxiety
Child Psychiatry & Human Development
Lauren Gowans and Tessa Ritchie and Maria A. Rogers and Yuanyuan Jiang and Emma A. Climie and Janet W. T. Mah and Penny Corkum and Amanda Krause and Marina Parvanova
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01732-z
07/2024
Virtual Delivery of Parent Coaching Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health: A Scoping Review
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Hippman, C. and Mah, J.W.T. and MacFadden, M.
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01597-8
2023
Encouraging diversity in family engagement in research: Reflections on the development of knowledge translation tools
Research Involvement and Engagement
Mah, J.W.T. and Nickerson, K.
DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00486-7
2023
Feasibility and Efficacy of the Alert Program® for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Mah, J.W.T. and Gill, H. and Doherty, M.
DOI: 10.1177/13591045231162680
2023
Correction: Virtual Delivery of Parent Coaching Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health: A Scoping Review (Child Psychiatry & Human Development, (2023), 10.1007/s10578-023-01597-8)
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Hippman, C. and Mah, J.W.T. and MacFadden, M.
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01632-8
2023
Sensorimotor Intervention Group for Children with ADHD and Sensory Processing Difficulties: A Feasibility Study
Journal of Child and Family Studies
Janet W. T. Mah and Miranda Doherty
DOI: 10.1007/s10826-021-01900-y
02/2021
Mindfulness-Enhanced Behavioral Parent Training for Clinic-Referred Families of Children With ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal of Attention Disorders
Mah, J.W.T. and Murray, C. and Locke, J. and Carbert, N.
DOI: 10.1177/1087054720925882
2021
Predicting use of medications for children with ADHD: The contribution of parent social cognitions
Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Boudreau, A. and Mah, J.W.T.
2020
Mixed methods study exploring parent engagement in child health research in British Columbia
BMJ Open
Smith, J. and Pike, I. and Brussoni, M. and Tucker, L. and Mâsse, L. and Mah, J.W.T. and Boudreau, A. and Mount, D. and Bonaguro, R. and Glegg, S. and Amed, S.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025404
2019
A case-control study of sleep disturbances in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Jaspers-Fayer, F. and Lin, S.Y. and Belschner, L. and Mah, J. and Chan, E. and Bleakley, C. and Ellwyn, R. and Simpson, A. and McKenney, K. and Stewart, S.E.
DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.02.001
2018
Clinical Reasoning in the Assessment and Intervention Planning for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Canadian Journal of School Psychology
Climie, E.A. and Mah, J.W.T. and Chase, C.Y.
DOI: 10.1177/0829573516658370
2017
Visual schedule system in dental care for patients with autism: A pilot study
Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
Mah, J.W.T. and Tsang, P.
DOI: 10.17796/1053-4628-40.5.393
2016
An examination of communicative interactions of children from romanian orphanages and their adoptive mothers
Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science
Graham, S.A. and Nilsen, E. and Mah, J.W.T. and Morison, S. and MacLean, K. and Fisher, L. and Brooks, B.L. and Ames, E.
DOI: 10.1037/a0033916
2014
Cultural Variations in Mothers' Acceptance of and Intent to Use Behavioral Child Management Techniques
Journal of Child and Family Studies
Mah, J.W.T. and Johnston, C.
DOI: 10.1007/s10826-011-9502-z
2012
Assessing Parenting Behaviors in Euro–Canadian and East Asian Immigrant Mothers: Limitations to Observations of Responsiveness
Child & Family Behavior Therapy
Kathy Chan and Kailee Penner and Janet W. T. Mah and Charlotte Johnston
DOI: 10.1080/07317101003776423
05/2010
Parenting Cognitions and Treatment Beliefs as Predictors of Experience Using Behavioral Parenting Strategies in Families of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Behavior Therapy
Johnston, C. and Mah, J.W.T. and Regambal, M.
DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2010.02.001
2010
Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
A Guide to Assessments that Work
Charlotte Johnston and Janet W. T. Mah
DOI: 10.1093/med:psych/9780195310641.003.0002
03/2008
Parental social cognitions: Considerations in the acceptability of and engagement in behavioral parent training
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Mah, J.W.T. and Johnston, C.
DOI: 10.1007/s10567-008-0038-8
2008
Cultural variations in mothers' attributions: Influence of child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Mah, J.W.T. and Johnston, C.
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-007-0047-8
2007
Research: Current Projects
- Collaborating with Chinese Families and Communities to Promote Mental Health Literacy
- Cultural Considerations to Improve Treatment Engagement, Retention, and Satisfaction for Families of Children with ADHD of Diverse Backgrounds
- Parenting Cognitions and Mental Health Treatment Attitudes
- Single Session Interventions for Behaviour Parent Training
- Impacts of COVID-19 on children with and without ADHD
- Group behavioural treatment of selective mutism

Grants

BCCHF Fund, Mah Lab Clinical Research Program, KRZ75151
2015-2016 BCMHSUS Fund, ADHD Research Database
2023-2025 New Frontiers in Research Fund, Promoting emotion regulation using smart-tech for parents of children with ADHD, Co-I
2012-2016 BCCHF Fund, Mindful Parent Intervention for ADHD
2021-2022 CIHR Operating Grant, How is COVID-19 continuing to impact children with and without ADHD, Co-I
2020-2022 BCCHR Catalyst Grant, Parental Cognitions and Mental Health Treatment Attitudes
2018-2019 BCCHR Catalyst Grant, Group behavioural treatment of selective mutism
2018-2019 UBC Strategic Investment Fund, Child-sized KT, Co-I
2015-2016 CIHR SPOR Patient Engagement Collaboration Grant, Child-sized KT, Co-I
2015-2016 BCCHR Seed Grant, Alert Program for Attention Regulation

Research Group Members

Fiona Chen
Harleen Gill, Research Assistant
Audrey Lo, INSPIRE Student
Angelika Suyanto
Francisca Valdes, Postdoctoral Fellow

Stories See all

What distinguishes 'normal' inattentiveness and restlessness in kids from ADHD?

Along with the basics, Dr. Janet Mah discusses her studies about parents' attitudes towards medication and mindfulness-enhanced parent training for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Continue reading What distinguishes 'normal' inattentiveness and restlessness in kids from ADHD?

World-class scientists will educate teens about child and adolescent mental health at Mini Med School

Dr. Bob McMahon and Dr. Janet Mah wish they'd learned more about child and adolescent mental health when they were teenagers. Now these co-deans of Mini Med School are ensuring young people today are better informed.

Continue reading World-class scientists will educate teens about child and adolescent mental health at Mini Med School

BCCHR researchers awarded CIHR funding to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic impacts on children, youth and families

Congratulations to the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) investigators and their teams who were awarded funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant: Understanding and mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, youth and families in Canada.

Continue reading BCCHR researchers awarded CIHR funding to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic impacts on children, youth and families

Congratulations CIHR Fall 2023 Project Grant recipients

Congratulations to the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) investigators and their teams who were awarded $11 million in funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fall 2023 Project Grant competition.

Continue reading Congratulations CIHR Fall 2023 Project Grant recipients

Congratulations CIHR Spring 2024 Project Grant recipients

Congratulations to the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) investigators and their teams who were awarded $5 million in funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Spring 2024 Project Grant competition.

Continue reading Congratulations CIHR Spring 2024 Project Grant recipients

National study on the social and economic costs of eating disorders in children and youth during COVID-19 a 'vast underestimate'

A new pan-Canadian analysis showed a sharp increase in the cost of eating disorders in children and youth, comparing the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study resulted from a collaboration between more than 40 health-care and academic partners, including BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Continue reading National study on the social and economic costs of eating disorders in children and youth during COVID-19 a 'vast underestimate'

Videos

Mental Health and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Uncover the critical importance of children's mental health – for individuals and populations – and how mental disorders affect young people, as well as what causes these disorders. Learn how we can better help young people, starting with effective prevention and treatment programs. And discover the significant impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During this presentation, participants will be introduced to ADHD, interventions to support ADHD, and ADHD-related research highlights. Presented by Dr. Charlotte Waddell, Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University; Director Children's Health Policy Centre. | Dr. Janet Mah, Investigator & Registered Psychologist, BC Children's Hospital; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UBC. (2022)

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