College of Health staff

Dr Dee Muller staff profile picture

Contact details +6449793261

Dr Dee Muller BOT, MPH, PGDipPH, PhD

Senior Research Officer

Doctoral Co-Supervisor
School of Health Sciences

Dr. Diane (Dee) Muller is a Senior Research Officer at the Sleep/Wake Research Centre, with a background in occupational therapy. Dee completed her PhD in 2019, which was a mixed methods study investigating social determinants of preschoolers' sleep health in Aotearoa/New Zealand. She was a recipient of a Lottery Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship and is continuing to develop her research expertise in the fields of social determinants of sleep health, ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in child and adolescent sleep health, and the role of sleep in inequities in child and adolescent health.

Professional

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - Otago Polytechnic (1997)
  • Master of Public Health - Massey University (2010)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health - University of Auckland (2003)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2019)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Co-Supervisor, Massey University

Prizes and Awards

  • Dean’s List of exceptional Doctoral theses - Massey University (2019)
  • John McLeod Prize in Public Health - University of Auckland (2003)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

My research interests include social determinants of child and adolescent sleep health, sleep health inequities and the role of sleep in inequities in child and adolescent mental and physical health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Medical And Health Sciences (110000): Public Health and Health Services (111700)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Key Researcher / Named Investigator / Associate Investigator 1 0
Project Leader 2 0

Current Projects

Project Title: Improving health through sleep resources for occupational therapists

The aim of this research is to improve rehabilitation and health outcomes in Aotearoa. Sleep plays a significant role in illness and injury recovery. Conversely, insufficient and disturbed sleep in clients with a range of health conditions is associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Despite this, healthcare professionals receive little in the way of education and resources on sleep. Occupational therapists are allied health professionals who play a crucial role in rehabilitation and health promotion. This project will develop and strengthen Māori and non-Māori networks to build a health delivery research team and identify occupational therapy sleep education and resource gaps and priorities. Findings will inform future health delivery research to develop, implement and evaluate sleep resources for occupational therapists. This is vital for supporting equitable health outcomes for Māori who are disproportionately impacted by both poor sleep and poor health due to colonisation.
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Date Range: 2024 - 2025

Funding Bodies: Health Research Council of New Zealand; Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

van den Berg, MJ., Zaslona, JL., Muller, DP., Wu, L., Hughes, M., Johnston, B., . . . Signal, TL. (2023). Managing cabin crew fatigue during ultra-long range operations. Frontiers in Environmental Health. 2, Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvh.2023.1329206/full
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T., van den Berg, M.
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Muller, D., Signal, TL., Shanthakumar, M., & Paine, SJ. (2023). Sleep inequities and associations between poor sleep and mental health for school-aged children: findings from the New Zealand Health Survey. SLEEP Advances. 4(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Paine, SJ., & Signal, TL. (2023). The role of sleep in health and health inequities in early childhood in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 53(5), 570-586
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Santos-Fernandez, E., McCarthy, J., Carr, H., & Signal, TL. (2022). Erratum: Who meets national early childhood sleep guidelines in Aotearoa New Zealand? A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis (Sleep Advances DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpac002). SLEEP Advances. 3(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Santos-Fernández, E., McCarthy, J., Carr, H., & Signal, TL. (2022). Who meets national early childhood sleep guidelines in Aotearoa New Zealand? A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. SLEEP Advances. 3(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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1

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Signal, TL., Sweeney, BM., Muller, DP., Ladyman, CI., Wu, L., & Paine, SJ. (2022). Moe Kura: a longitudinal study of mother and child sleep and well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 52(3), 283-300
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Paine, SJ., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2020). Sleep timing and sleep problems of preschoolers in Aotearoa/New Zealand: relationships with ethnicity and socioeconomic position. Sleep Medicine. 76, 1-9
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Paine, SJ., Signal, TL., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Muller, D., Smith, A., . . . Lee, K. (2020). Maternal sleep disturbances in late pregnancy and the association with emergency caesarean section: A prospective cohort study. Sleep Health. 6(1), 65-70
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Paine, SJ., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2019). How long do preschoolers in Aotearoa/New Zealand sleep? Associations with ethnicity and socioeconomic position. Sleep Health. 5(5), 452-458
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Paine, SJ., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2019). “Their Sleep Means More Harmony”: Maternal Perspectives and Experiences of Preschoolers’ Sleep in Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Families in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Qualitative Health Research. 29(14), 2023-2034
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Paine, SJ., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2019). “We're doing the best job we can”: maternal experiences of facilitators and barriers to preschoolers sleeping well in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Sleep Health. 5(3), 248-256
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Stoner, L., Castro, N., Signal, L., Skidmore, P., Faulkner, J., Lark, S., . . . Harrex, H. (2018). Sleep and Adiposity in Preadolescent Children: The Importance of Social Jetlag. Childhood Obesity. 14(3), 158-164
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Signal, L., Elder, D., & Gander, P. (2017). Environmental and behavioural factors associated with school children's sleep in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 53(1), 68-74
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Signal, TL., Paine, SJ., Sweeney, B., Muller, D., Priston, M., Lee, K., . . . Huthwaite, M. (2017). The prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the level of life stress and worry in New Zealand Māori and non-Māori women in late pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 51(2), 168-176
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Howe, LD., Signal, TL., Paine, SJ., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Muller, D., . . . Gander, P. (2015). Self-reported sleep in late pregnancy in relation to birth size and fetal distress: The E Moe, Ma¯ma¯ prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 5(10)
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Signal, TL., Paine, SJ., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Muller, D., Smith, A., . . . Gander, P. (2014). Prevalence of abnormal sleep duration and excessive daytime sleepiness in pregnancy and the role of socio-demographic factors: Comparing pregnant women with women in the general population. Sleep Medicine. 15(12), 1477-1483
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Castro, N., Faulkner, J., Skidmore, P., Williams, M., Lambrick, DM., Signal, L., . . . Stoner, L. (2014). Pre-adolescent cardio-metabolic associations and correlates: PACMAC methodology and study protocol. BMJ Open. 4(9)
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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10
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Paine, SJ., Priston, M., Signal, TL., Sweeney, B., & Muller, D. (2013). Developing new approaches for the recruitment and retention of indigenous participants in longitudinal research: lessons from E Moe, Mama: Maternal Sleep and Health in Aotearoa/New Zealand. MAI journal. 2(2), 121-132 Retrieved from http://www.journal.mai.ac.nz/content/developing-new-approaches-recruitment-and-retention-indigenous-participants-longitudinal
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Gander, P., Signal, L., Van Dongen, HPA., Muller, D., & Van Den Berg, M. (2010). Stable inter-individual differences in slow-wave sleep during nocturnal sleep and naps. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. 8(4), 239-244
[Journal article]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T., van den Berg, M.
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Book

Paine, SJ., & Muller, DP. (2023). A methodological approach to understanding ethnic inequities in sleep health. In Encyclopedia of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms: Volume 1-6, Second Edition. (pp. 769 - 777).
[Chapter]Authored by: Muller, D.
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1

Thesis

Muller, D. (2019). Social determinants of preschoolers’ sleep health in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A mixed methods study. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Muller, D.
Muller, D. (2010). Children’s sleep in the family environment: A pilot study using actigraphy with 6 – 8-year-old New Zealand children. (Master's Thesis)
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: Muller, D.

Conference

Muller, D., Paine, S., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL.ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ETHNICITY, SOCIOECONOMIC DEPRIVATION AND PRESCHOOLERS' SLEEP HEALTH IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND. SLEEP. (pp. A136 - A136). 0161-8105.
[Conference]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Muller, D., Paine, S-J., Wu, L., & Signal, L.Ethnicity, socioeconomic position and preschoolers' sleep durations in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A mixed methods study. JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH. 0962-1105.
[Conference]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
1
Jay, S., Farry, P., Dovey, S., Muller, D., & Gander, P.Assessment of fatigue in New Zealand's rural general practitioners. JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH. (pp. 25 - 26). 0962-1105.
[Conference]Authored by: Muller, D.
Muller, D., Paine, S-J., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2020). Associations between ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation and preschoolers’ sleep health in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Sleep. Vol. 43 (pp. A136 - A136). : Sleep 2020, the 34th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Muller, D., Paine, S-J., Wu, LJ., & Signal, TL. (2019, October). Ethnicity, socioeconomic position and preschoolers’ sleep durations in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A mixed methods study. Presented at Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 31st Annual Scientific Meeting. Sydney, Australia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.

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Sweeney, BM., Signal, TL., Paine, S-J., Muller, D., Priston, M., Huthwaite, M., . . . Gander, PH. (2015). Magnitude and chronicity of changes in sleep quantity and quality are associated with postnatal depression. In Journal of Sleep and Sleep Disorders Vol. 38 (pp. A408 - A408). , 29th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies: Assciation Professional Sleep Societies
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Muller, D., Paine, SJ., Signal, TL., Sweeney, BM., Priston, M., Huthwaite, M., . . . Gander, PH. (2015). Population-level, socio-demographic factors associated with infants’ sleep patterns and environments in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In Journal of Sleep and Sleep Disorders Research Vol. 38 (pp. A27 - A27). , SLEEP 2015 29th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies: Association of Professional Sleep Societies
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Signal, TL., Paine, SJ., Sweeney, BM., Muller, D., Priston, M., Smith, AAT., . . . Gander, PH. (2014). Depressive symptoms in late pregnancy are associated with sleep duration, quality, and symptoms of sleep disorders. In Sleep and Biological Rhythms Vol. 12 (pp. 57 - 57). , Sleep DownUnder 2014 ASM, Sleep Frontiers, 26th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
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Muller, D., Sweeney, BM., Signal, TL., Paine, SJ., Priston, M., Smith, AAT., . . . Gander, PH. (2014). Changes in sleep across the pre- and peri-natal period for Māori and non-Māori women in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Vol. 12 (pp. 75 - 75). , Sleep DownUnder 2014 ASM, Sleep Frontiers, 26th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Signal, TL., Paine, S-J., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Muller, D., Gander, P., . . . Huthwaite, M. (2012). Sleep and sleepiness in late pregnancy: comparisons with women in the general population. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. 36 - 36). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 24th Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Paine, S-J., Signal, TL., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Muller, D., Gander, P., . . . Huthwaite, M. (2012). Comparing sleep duration and quality prior to and during late pregnancy: Results from a large sample of New Zealand women. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. 60 - 60). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 24th Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Muller, D., Signal, TL., Paine, S-J., Sweeney, B., Priston, M., Gander, P., . . . Huthwaite, M. (2012). Sleep disturbance during late pregnancy in New Zealand women. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. 69 - 69). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 24th Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Jay, S., Farry, P., Dovey, S., Muller, D., & Gander, P. (2011). Assessment of fatigue in New Zealand’s rural general practitioners. Journal of Sleep Research. Vol. S1 (pp. 25 - 25). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D.
Muller, D., Signal, TL., Elder, D., & Gander, P. (2010). Objectively and subjectively measured sleep of 6 - 8-year-old New Zealand children. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. A36 - A36). : Sleep DownUnder: Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Muller, D., Gander, P., van den Berg, M., Signal, TL., & van Dongen, H. (2009). Inter-individual variability in nocturnal sleep versus nap sleep. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. A47 - A47). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 21st Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T., van den Berg, M.
Muller, D., van den Berg, M., Signal, TL., Garden, A., & Gander, P. (2008). A systematic analysis of waking EEG data to determine the time course and magnitude of sleep inertia. Sleep and Biological Rhythms. Vol. S1 (pp. A53 - A53). : Sleep DownUnder, Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association 20th Annual Scientific Meeting
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T., van den Berg, M.

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Report

Muller, D., Signal, TL., Santos-Fernandez, E., McCarthy, J., & Carr, H.(2020). Are New Zealand children meeting the Ministry of Health guidelines for sleep?.
[Technical Report]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
van den Berg, M., Signal, TL., Muller, D., Zaslona, J., & Wu, L. (2020). Evaluation of the sleep, fatigue, sleepiness and workload of Air New Zealand cabin crew on the Auckland-Chicago-Auckland ultra long range route: Final Report.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T., van den Berg, M.

Other

van den Berg, M., Signal, T., Muller, D., Zaslona, J., & Wu, L. (2022, May). Evaluation of the sleep, fatigue, sleepiness and workload of Air New Zealand cabin crew on the Auckland-Chicago-Auckland ultra-long-range route. In Air New Zealand. Presented at Air New Zealand JFK ULR Operation FRMS | Cabin Crew workshop.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Muller, D., Signal, T.

Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 2 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Louise Dore - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    What helps to promote sleep heath in autistic children and young people
  • Zoe Walsh - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Supporting the sleep of mothers in Aotearoa

Media and Links

Media

  • 29 Dec 2019 - Newspaper
    Sleep deprivation for young Māori
    Interviewed by G Berry for article in the Sunday Star Times on my PhD research
  • 29 Aug 2019 - Newspaper
    School Census: Do our kids get enough sleep?
    Interviewed by S Collins for an article in the New Zealand Herald about recent data on student sleep from the School Census.
  • 29 Apr 2019 - Online
    Research shows inequities in children's sleep
    Interviewed by G Berry for Stuff article on my PhD research
  • 24 Feb 2020 - Newspaper
    Extra hours sleep slashes preschooler obesity risk
    Interviewed for article in the New Zealand Herald by E Russell E (2020, 'Extra hour's sleep slashes preschoolers' obesity risk: Growing Up in NZ Study') to provide commentary on recent findings from t
  • 22 Sep 2020 - Newspaper
    Many toddlers not getting enough sleep
    Media release in the Dominion Post (Martin H, 2020, p.6) about research using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study to investigate the prevalence of young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand meet
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  • 22 Sep 2020 - Newspaper
    Toddlers missing shut-eye
    Media release in The Press (Martin H, 2020, p.5) about research using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study to investigate the prevalence of young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand meeting Mini
  • 22 Sep 2020 - Newspaper
    Toddlers lack sleep
    Media release in the Southland Times (Martin H, 2020, p.5) about research using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study to investigate the prevalence of young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand me
  • 22 Sep 2020 - Radio
    Do children in New Zealand meet sleep guidelines?
    Interviews with Radio NZ, Newshub Radio and Newstalk ZB about findings from the Ministry of Social Development report (Muller et al., 2020) on the prevalence of young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand
  • 22 Sep 2020 - Online
    Third of Kiwi toddlers not getting enough sleep
    Media release in Stuff (Martin H, 2020) about research using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study to investigate the prevalence of young children in Aotearoa/New Zealand meeting Ministry of H
  • 07 Sep 2020 - Magazine
    Sleep and student wellbeing
    Interviewed by J Stephens for an article in the Education Gazette (Issue 14, pp. 16-19) about links between sleep health and student learning and wellbeing.
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Last updated on Monday 27 February 2023