![Olakunle Oginni](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6120?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Olakunle Oginni
(he/him)
Teams and roles for Olakunle Oginni
Welsh Clinical Academic Track (WCAT) Fellow
Overview
I am a clinical academic splitting my time between higher training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and post-doctoral research. My research interests include child and adolescent mental health, mental health among under-represented groups (e.g., sexual minorities and low-/middle-income settings) using behaviour genetic designs such as the twin design and its extensions (e.g., incorporating polygenic scores).
Publication
2026
- Pezzoli, P. et al., 2026. Personality and mental health as mediators linking childhood maltreatment to intimate partner violence victimization: a Mendelian randomization?direction of causation twin study. The Lancet Regional Health Europe 66 101653. (10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101653)
- Bright, J. K. et al., 2026. Triangulating evidence for genetic and environmental components of associations between parental behaviours and aggressive behaviour in children. Nature Communications 17 8340. (10.1038/s41467-026-75095-5)
- Shakeshaft, A. et al. 2026. Mapping phenotypic and genetic relationships among irritability, depression and ADHD in adolescence using network analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 67 (3), pp.333-343. jcpp.70040. (10.1111/jcpp.70040)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2026. Internalising problems and self-reported BMI/physical health: Correlated genetic and environmental influences versus probable causal mechanisms. Journal of Affective Disorders 394 (Part A) 120538. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.120538)
2025
- Olorunlana, A. et al., 2025. Intersectional stigma and adherence to antiretroviral (ART) among sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV in Nigeria: A Qualitative Inquiry. PLoS ONE 20 (12) e0338933. (10.1371/journal.pone.0338933)
- Thapar, A. et al. 2025. Youth depression: An overview of genetic findings and the challenge of heterogeneity. Journal of Affective Disorders 391 120049. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.120049)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2025. Child mental health research in low- and middle-income countries: a twin-family feasibility study in Nigeria. Behavior Genetics 55 , pp.438-453. (10.1007/s10519-025-10235-z)
- Shakeshaft, A. et al. 2025. Investigating irritability as a potentially causal risk pathway into depression using two genetically informed designs. Biological Society: Global Open Science 5 (6) 100566. (10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100566)
- Morneau-Vaillancourt, G. et al., 2025. Peer problems and prosocial behaviours across development: Associations with anxiety and depression in emerging adulthood. Journal of Affective Disorders 381 , pp.360-371. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.010)
- Marzecki, F. et al., 2025. Initiation and stability of self‐harm in adolescence and early adulthood: investigating social and aetiological factors in twins. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 66 (6), pp.857-867. (10.1111/jcpp.14096)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2025. Barriers to gender-affirming care, health care services, and experiences of health care provider bias among transgender people in Nigeria. American Journal of Public Health , pp.e1-e5. (10.2105/ajph.2025.308057)
2024
- Starr, A. , Oginni, O. and von Stumm, S. 2024. Do children cause the cognitive stimulation they receive? Modelling the direction of causality. Behavior Genetics 54 (6), pp.443-455. (10.1007/s10519-024-10195-w)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2024. Mediating effects of psychological resilience and self-esteem on the association between early childhood adversity and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Nigeria. Adversity and Resilience Science (10.1007/s42844-024-00133-4)
- Assary, E. et al., 2024. Genetics of environmental sensitivity and its association with variations in emotional problems, autistic traits, and wellbeing. Molecular Psychiatry (10.1038/s41380-024-02508-6)
- Hur, Y. et al., 2024. Family history of twinning and fertility traits in Nigerian mothers of dizygotic twins. Twin Research and Human Genetics 27 (1), pp.12-17. (10.1017/thg.2024.2)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2024. The challenges and opportunities for mental health twin research in Nigeria. Behavior Genetics 54 (1), pp.42-50. (10.1007/s10519-023-10153-y)
2023
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Genetic and environmental influences on sexual orientation: moderation by childhood gender nonconformity and early-life adversity. Archives of Sexual Behavior 53 (5), pp.1763-1776. (10.1007/s10508-023-02761-w)
- Morneau-Vaillancourt, G. et al., 2023. A cross-lagged twin study of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 64 (11), pp.1569-1582. (10.1111/jcpp.13847)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2023. A cross-sectional study on resilience, anxiety, depression, and psychoactive substance use among heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in Nigeria. BMC Public Health 23 (1) 1759. (10.1186/s12889-023-16660-1)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2023. A cross-sectional study on resilience, anxiety, depression, and psychoactive substance use among heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in Nigeria. BMC Public Health 23 (1) 1759. (10.1186/s12889-023-16660-1)
- Oloniniyi, I. O. et al., 2023. Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence during COVID-19 pandemic among Nigerian adults.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 15 (5), pp.868–876. (10.1037/tra0001335)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Correlates of suicidal ideation among sexual minority male students in a Nigerian University. Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health 4 (2)(10.1891/lgbtq-2021-0048)
- Vainieri, I. et al., 2023. The etiological and predictive association between ADHD and cognitive performance from childhood to young adulthood. Journal of Attention Disorders 27 (7), pp.709-720. (10.1177/10870547231159908)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Perceived social support as a protective factor against psychological distress in the context of COVID-19-related stress and sexual minority status in Nigeria. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 11 (4), pp.679-689. (10.1037/sgd0000637)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Causal influences of same-sex attraction on psychological distress and risky sexual behaviors: evidence for bidirectional effects. Archives of Sexual Behavior 52 (3), pp.1213–1228. (10.1007/s10508-022-02455-9)
2022
- Toseeb, U. et al., 2022. Measurement invariance of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire across socioeconomic status and ethnicity from ages 3 to 17 years: a population cohort study. PLoS ONE 17 (12) e0278385. (10.1371/journal.pone.0278385)
- Peel, A. J. et al., 2022. A multivariate genetic analysis of anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 64 (2), pp.289-298. (10.1111/jcpp.13725)
- Lim, K. X. et al., 2022. Investigating the causal risk factors for self-harm by integrating Mendelian randomisation within twin modelling. Behavior Genetics 52 (6), pp.324–337. (10.1007/s10519-022-10114-x)
- Oginni, O. A. and Hur, Y. 2022. Gene-environment interplays between family chaos and emotional problems among Nigerian adolescents: A twin study. Development and Psychopathology 36 (1), pp.62-68. (10.1017/S0954579422000943)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2022. Religiosity and conversion therapy is associated with psychosocial health problems among sexual minority men (SMM) in Nigeria. Journal of Religion and Health 61 (4), pp.3098-3128. (10.1007/s10943-021-01400-9)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2022. Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with psychosocial health problems among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37 (9-10), pp.NP7394-NP7425. (10.1177/0886260520966677)
- Toseeb, U. , Oginni, O. A. and Dale, P. S. 2022. Developmental language disorder and psychopathology: disentangling shared genetic and environmental influences. Journal of Learning Disabilities 55 (3), pp.185-199. (10.1177/00222194211019961)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2022. Increased depressive and anxiety symptoms in non-heterosexual individuals: moderation by childhood factors using a twin design. Journal of Affective Disorders 297 , pp.508-516. (10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.095)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2022. Do psychosocial factors mediate sexual minorities' risky sexual behaviour? A twin study. Health Psychology 41 (1), pp.76-84. (10.1037/hea0001129)
2021
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2021. Correlates of geosocial networking applications (GSN Apps) usage among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Nigeria, Africa. Archives of Sexual Behavior 50 (7), pp.2981–2993. (10.1007/s10508-020-01889-3)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2021. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria. PLoS ONE 16 (8) e0256690. (10.1371/journal.pone.0256690)
- Toseeb, U. , Oginni, O. A. and Dale, P. S. 2021. Developmental language disorder and psychopathology: disentangling shared genetic and environmental influences. Journal of Learning Disabilities 55 (3), pp.185-199. (10.1177/00222194211019961)
- Oginni, O. A. , Okanlawon, K. and Ogunbajo, A. 2021. A commentary on COVID-19 and the LGBT community in Nigeria: risks and resilience. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 8 (2), pp.261-263. (10.1037/sgd0000476)
2020
- Oginni, O. A. , Jern, P. and Rijsdijk, F. V. 2020. Mental health disparities mediating increased risky sexual behavior in sexual minorities: A twin approach. Archives of Sexual Behavior 49 (7), pp.2497-2510. (10.1007/s10508-020-01696-w)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2020. Internalized homophobia, coping, and quality of life among Nigerian gay and bisexual men. Journal of Homosexuality 67 (10), pp.1447-1470. (10.1080/00918369.2019.1600899)
- Folayan, M. O. et al., 2020. Internal consistency and correlation of the adverse childhood experiences, bully victimization, self-esteem, resilience, and social support scales in Nigerian children. BMC Research Notes 13 (1) 331. (10.1186/s13104-020-05174-3)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2020. A commentary on the Nigerian response to the COVID-19 pandemic.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 12 (5), pp.553–556. (10.1037/tra0000743)
2019
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2019. Mediators of increased self-harm and suicidal ideation in sexual minority youth: a longitudinal study. Psychological Medicine 49 (15), pp.2524-2532. (10.1017/S003329171800346X)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2019. Association between risky sexual behavior and a psychosocial syndemic among Nigerian men who have sex with men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health 23 (2), pp.168-185. (10.1080/19359705.2018.1552640)
- Seun-Fadipe, C. T. , Akinsulore, A. A. and Oginni, O. A. 2019. Workplace violence and risk for psychiatric morbidity among health workers in a tertiary health care setting in Nigeria: prevalence and correlates. Psychiatry Research 272 , pp.730-736. (10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.177)
2018
- Makanjuola, O. , Folayan, M. O. and Oginni, O. A. 2018. On being gay in Nigeria: discrimination, mental health distress, and coping. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health 22 (4), pp.372-384. (10.1080/19359705.2018.1482809)
- Seun-Fadipe, C. T. et al., 2018. Sleep hygiene index: psychometric characteristics and usefulness as a screening tool in a sample of Nigerian undergraduate students. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 14 (8), pp.1285–1292. (10.5664/jcsm.7256)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2018. Depression and associated factors among gay and heterosexual male university students in Nigeria. Archives of Sexual Behavior 47 (4), pp.1119–1132. (10.1007/s10508-017-0987-4)
2017
- Jones, A. et al., 2017. Anxiety disorders, gender nonconformity, bullying and self?esteem in sexual minority adolescents: prospective birth cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 58 (11), pp.1201-1209. (10.1111/jcpp.12757)
2014
- Olawale, K. O. et al., 2014. Caregiver burden in families of patients with depression attending Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospitals complex Ile-Ife Nigeria. General Hospital Psychiatry 36 (6), pp.743-747. (10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2014.08.008)
Articles
- Pezzoli, P. et al., 2026. Personality and mental health as mediators linking childhood maltreatment to intimate partner violence victimization: a Mendelian randomization?direction of causation twin study. The Lancet Regional Health Europe 66 101653. (10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101653)
- Bright, J. K. et al., 2026. Triangulating evidence for genetic and environmental components of associations between parental behaviours and aggressive behaviour in children. Nature Communications 17 8340. (10.1038/s41467-026-75095-5)
- Shakeshaft, A. et al. 2026. Mapping phenotypic and genetic relationships among irritability, depression and ADHD in adolescence using network analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 67 (3), pp.333-343. jcpp.70040. (10.1111/jcpp.70040)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2026. Internalising problems and self-reported BMI/physical health: Correlated genetic and environmental influences versus probable causal mechanisms. Journal of Affective Disorders 394 (Part A) 120538. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.120538)
- Olorunlana, A. et al., 2025. Intersectional stigma and adherence to antiretroviral (ART) among sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV in Nigeria: A Qualitative Inquiry. PLoS ONE 20 (12) e0338933. (10.1371/journal.pone.0338933)
- Thapar, A. et al. 2025. Youth depression: An overview of genetic findings and the challenge of heterogeneity. Journal of Affective Disorders 391 120049. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.120049)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2025. Child mental health research in low- and middle-income countries: a twin-family feasibility study in Nigeria. Behavior Genetics 55 , pp.438-453. (10.1007/s10519-025-10235-z)
- Shakeshaft, A. et al. 2025. Investigating irritability as a potentially causal risk pathway into depression using two genetically informed designs. Biological Society: Global Open Science 5 (6) 100566. (10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100566)
- Morneau-Vaillancourt, G. et al., 2025. Peer problems and prosocial behaviours across development: Associations with anxiety and depression in emerging adulthood. Journal of Affective Disorders 381 , pp.360-371. (10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.010)
- Marzecki, F. et al., 2025. Initiation and stability of self‐harm in adolescence and early adulthood: investigating social and aetiological factors in twins. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 66 (6), pp.857-867. (10.1111/jcpp.14096)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2025. Barriers to gender-affirming care, health care services, and experiences of health care provider bias among transgender people in Nigeria. American Journal of Public Health , pp.e1-e5. (10.2105/ajph.2025.308057)
- Starr, A. , Oginni, O. and von Stumm, S. 2024. Do children cause the cognitive stimulation they receive? Modelling the direction of causality. Behavior Genetics 54 (6), pp.443-455. (10.1007/s10519-024-10195-w)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2024. Mediating effects of psychological resilience and self-esteem on the association between early childhood adversity and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Nigeria. Adversity and Resilience Science (10.1007/s42844-024-00133-4)
- Assary, E. et al., 2024. Genetics of environmental sensitivity and its association with variations in emotional problems, autistic traits, and wellbeing. Molecular Psychiatry (10.1038/s41380-024-02508-6)
- Hur, Y. et al., 2024. Family history of twinning and fertility traits in Nigerian mothers of dizygotic twins. Twin Research and Human Genetics 27 (1), pp.12-17. (10.1017/thg.2024.2)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2024. The challenges and opportunities for mental health twin research in Nigeria. Behavior Genetics 54 (1), pp.42-50. (10.1007/s10519-023-10153-y)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Genetic and environmental influences on sexual orientation: moderation by childhood gender nonconformity and early-life adversity. Archives of Sexual Behavior 53 (5), pp.1763-1776. (10.1007/s10508-023-02761-w)
- Morneau-Vaillancourt, G. et al., 2023. A cross-lagged twin study of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 64 (11), pp.1569-1582. (10.1111/jcpp.13847)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2023. A cross-sectional study on resilience, anxiety, depression, and psychoactive substance use among heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in Nigeria. BMC Public Health 23 (1) 1759. (10.1186/s12889-023-16660-1)
- Ibigbami, O. I. et al., 2023. A cross-sectional study on resilience, anxiety, depression, and psychoactive substance use among heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in Nigeria. BMC Public Health 23 (1) 1759. (10.1186/s12889-023-16660-1)
- Oloniniyi, I. O. et al., 2023. Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence during COVID-19 pandemic among Nigerian adults.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 15 (5), pp.868–876. (10.1037/tra0001335)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Correlates of suicidal ideation among sexual minority male students in a Nigerian University. Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health 4 (2)(10.1891/lgbtq-2021-0048)
- Vainieri, I. et al., 2023. The etiological and predictive association between ADHD and cognitive performance from childhood to young adulthood. Journal of Attention Disorders 27 (7), pp.709-720. (10.1177/10870547231159908)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Perceived social support as a protective factor against psychological distress in the context of COVID-19-related stress and sexual minority status in Nigeria. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 11 (4), pp.679-689. (10.1037/sgd0000637)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2023. Causal influences of same-sex attraction on psychological distress and risky sexual behaviors: evidence for bidirectional effects. Archives of Sexual Behavior 52 (3), pp.1213–1228. (10.1007/s10508-022-02455-9)
- Toseeb, U. et al., 2022. Measurement invariance of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire across socioeconomic status and ethnicity from ages 3 to 17 years: a population cohort study. PLoS ONE 17 (12) e0278385. (10.1371/journal.pone.0278385)
- Peel, A. J. et al., 2022. A multivariate genetic analysis of anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 64 (2), pp.289-298. (10.1111/jcpp.13725)
- Lim, K. X. et al., 2022. Investigating the causal risk factors for self-harm by integrating Mendelian randomisation within twin modelling. Behavior Genetics 52 (6), pp.324–337. (10.1007/s10519-022-10114-x)
- Oginni, O. A. and Hur, Y. 2022. Gene-environment interplays between family chaos and emotional problems among Nigerian adolescents: A twin study. Development and Psychopathology 36 (1), pp.62-68. (10.1017/S0954579422000943)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2022. Religiosity and conversion therapy is associated with psychosocial health problems among sexual minority men (SMM) in Nigeria. Journal of Religion and Health 61 (4), pp.3098-3128. (10.1007/s10943-021-01400-9)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2022. Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with psychosocial health problems among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37 (9-10), pp.NP7394-NP7425. (10.1177/0886260520966677)
- Toseeb, U. , Oginni, O. A. and Dale, P. S. 2022. Developmental language disorder and psychopathology: disentangling shared genetic and environmental influences. Journal of Learning Disabilities 55 (3), pp.185-199. (10.1177/00222194211019961)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2022. Increased depressive and anxiety symptoms in non-heterosexual individuals: moderation by childhood factors using a twin design. Journal of Affective Disorders 297 , pp.508-516. (10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.095)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2022. Do psychosocial factors mediate sexual minorities' risky sexual behaviour? A twin study. Health Psychology 41 (1), pp.76-84. (10.1037/hea0001129)
- Ogunbajo, A. et al., 2021. Correlates of geosocial networking applications (GSN Apps) usage among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Nigeria, Africa. Archives of Sexual Behavior 50 (7), pp.2981–2993. (10.1007/s10508-020-01889-3)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2021. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria. PLoS ONE 16 (8) e0256690. (10.1371/journal.pone.0256690)
- Toseeb, U. , Oginni, O. A. and Dale, P. S. 2021. Developmental language disorder and psychopathology: disentangling shared genetic and environmental influences. Journal of Learning Disabilities 55 (3), pp.185-199. (10.1177/00222194211019961)
- Oginni, O. A. , Okanlawon, K. and Ogunbajo, A. 2021. A commentary on COVID-19 and the LGBT community in Nigeria: risks and resilience. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 8 (2), pp.261-263. (10.1037/sgd0000476)
- Oginni, O. A. , Jern, P. and Rijsdijk, F. V. 2020. Mental health disparities mediating increased risky sexual behavior in sexual minorities: A twin approach. Archives of Sexual Behavior 49 (7), pp.2497-2510. (10.1007/s10508-020-01696-w)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2020. Internalized homophobia, coping, and quality of life among Nigerian gay and bisexual men. Journal of Homosexuality 67 (10), pp.1447-1470. (10.1080/00918369.2019.1600899)
- Folayan, M. O. et al., 2020. Internal consistency and correlation of the adverse childhood experiences, bully victimization, self-esteem, resilience, and social support scales in Nigerian children. BMC Research Notes 13 (1) 331. (10.1186/s13104-020-05174-3)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2020. A commentary on the Nigerian response to the COVID-19 pandemic.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 12 (5), pp.553–556. (10.1037/tra0000743)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2019. Mediators of increased self-harm and suicidal ideation in sexual minority youth: a longitudinal study. Psychological Medicine 49 (15), pp.2524-2532. (10.1017/S003329171800346X)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2019. Association between risky sexual behavior and a psychosocial syndemic among Nigerian men who have sex with men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health 23 (2), pp.168-185. (10.1080/19359705.2018.1552640)
- Seun-Fadipe, C. T. , Akinsulore, A. A. and Oginni, O. A. 2019. Workplace violence and risk for psychiatric morbidity among health workers in a tertiary health care setting in Nigeria: prevalence and correlates. Psychiatry Research 272 , pp.730-736. (10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.177)
- Makanjuola, O. , Folayan, M. O. and Oginni, O. A. 2018. On being gay in Nigeria: discrimination, mental health distress, and coping. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health 22 (4), pp.372-384. (10.1080/19359705.2018.1482809)
- Seun-Fadipe, C. T. et al., 2018. Sleep hygiene index: psychometric characteristics and usefulness as a screening tool in a sample of Nigerian undergraduate students. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 14 (8), pp.1285–1292. (10.5664/jcsm.7256)
- Oginni, O. A. et al. 2018. Depression and associated factors among gay and heterosexual male university students in Nigeria. Archives of Sexual Behavior 47 (4), pp.1119–1132. (10.1007/s10508-017-0987-4)
- Jones, A. et al., 2017. Anxiety disorders, gender nonconformity, bullying and self?esteem in sexual minority adolescents: prospective birth cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 58 (11), pp.1201-1209. (10.1111/jcpp.12757)
- Olawale, K. O. et al., 2014. Caregiver burden in families of patients with depression attending Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospitals complex Ile-Ife Nigeria. General Hospital Psychiatry 36 (6), pp.743-747. (10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2014.08.008)
Research
Previous work: I investigated the mental health of sexual minorities (i.e., those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual) in Nigeria. Similar to what has been found in other countries, I found higher rates of mental health difficulties among sexual minority compared to heterosexual individuals. During my PhD, I extended this line of research using Finnish and UK data and the twin design (incorporating polygenic scores) to demonstrate that the higher rates of mental health difficulties among sexual minorities was better explained by causal links rather than shared aetiological (e.g., genetic) influences. I also found that these links were influenced by childhood experiences and traits such as gender nonconformity and early-life adversities. I subsequently became interested in how mental health difficulties develop during development i.e., childhood and adolesence.
Current work: I thereafter secured a clinical academic fellowship at the Cardiff University to enable me gain clinical and research expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry. In recognition of the low rates of research into genetic and young people's mental health in low- and middle-income settings, I am looking forward to using genetically sensitive designs like the twin method to investigate the interplay of genetic and environmental risk and protective factors in psychopathology during childhood and adolescence. At present, I am conducting pilot studies among adolescent twins and their mothers in Nigeria to investigate their perception of mental health and genetic research. I am also preparing to start a funded pilot study among young twins in Nigeria and their parents with a focus on common mental health difficulties and the feasibility of conducting twin research in low-/middle-income country.
Biography
2023 to date - Welsh Clinical Academic Track (WCAT) Fellow
2021 - PhD, Behavioural Genetics (King's College London)
2019 - Member, Royal College of Psychiatrists
2016 - MSc Genes, Environment and Development, King's College London
2015 - Fellow, West African College of Physicians (Faculty of Psychiatry)
2008 - MBBS, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Honours and awards
2024 - Behavior Genetics Association Early Career Award.
2023 - Welsh Clinical Academic Track Fellowship.
2023 - Gottesman-Shields Prize (for the best PhD Thesis, Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 2022).
2022 - 2021/2022 King’s Outstanding Thesis Prize, King’s College London for (PhD thesis).
2019 - King’s College London African Community of Practice Outstanding Achievement award (2018-2019).
2018 - Commonwealth Scholarship Award.
2015 - Chevening Scholarship Award.
2012 - Luke Egerton Prize (for the Best Membership Candidate in the West African College of Physicians, Faculty of Psychiatry).
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Psychiatry
- Population Genetics
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- LGBT Mental health
- Twin modelling