ClinicalResearch ProjectsAvailable for 2017

You candiscusspotential MastersandPhDprojects withany staffinthe SchoolofPsychology.Theirresearchinterestscan be foundat:

Thereare alsoavarietyofspecificproject areasthat havebeen outlinedbelow,somebyexternal supervisors,othersby staffintheSchoolof Psychology.

ProjectsSupervisedbySchoolofPsychologyStaffMichelleArnold(Lecturer,Schoolof Psychology)

Myinterestsincludethereconstructive nature of memory(e.g.,subjectiveexperienceofremembering,false memory),strategic regulation ofaccuracy(e.g., knowingwhen to actona pieceofinformationorwhen tokeepquiet), andjudgment anddecisionmakingacrossavarietyofsituations. Onecurrent interest in ourlab is understandinghowthecontext ofasituationaffectsstrategicregulation;for example, whetherpunishingpeoplefor reportingwronginformationworksbetter thanrewardingpeople for reportingcorrect information.

Another current interest isunderstandinganomalisticbelief(i.e., beliefintheparanormal,extra-terrestrials, etc.). Previousworkinthisareaislimited,but typicallyindicates thereareperformancedifferencesbetweenpeoplewho hold such beliefsandthosewho do not. Ourworkfocuseson understandingthesedifferences,aswell as howothervariables mayberelatedto anomalisticbelief(e.g., religiosity,schizotypy,beliefincomplementary andalternativemedicine, etc.).

Mariëtte Berndsen(Lecturer,SchoolofPsychology)

Myprimary researchinterestsinvolve the social psychology of emotions, stigma,andprejudice. Iwould liketosuperviseprojectsintheareaof:

-Guiltandshame. Howdo people cope with theseemotions(e.g.,avoidingspecificsituations) and howcan wemitigatetheseemotions?

-Stigma. Individualswhodeviate(innegativeways) fromnormativestandards intheirbehaviourand/orappearance areoftenstigmatized. Thisisespeciallyso when theyareperceived to havesomecontrolovertheir behaviour/appearance(e.g.,obesepeople,peoplewhosuffer fromdepression).Howdo stigmasaffect one’slife andcanwe reduce stigmas?

Junwen Chen (Senior Lecturer,SchoolofPsychology)

My researchprimarilyfocuses on anxietydisorders,specificallysocialanxiety(disorder)andexcessive worry,aswellasthecross-culturalstudyofthese problems in differentpopulations.For2017,Iamkeenonsupervising projectsrelatedtotheseareas.Examplesofprojects are:

·Investigating themaintaining mechanismsof,andfactors pertaining to socialanxiety,excessive worry(e.g.,cognitive processes such as interpretationbias orpost-eventrumination;intoleranceofuncertainty);

·Investigating preventative strategiesforschoolrefusalbehaviours inyouth withanxietyand depression,targetingexcessive worry as atransdiagnostic process

·Therole ofperfectionisminsocialanxietyand itscognitiveprocesses (e.g.,interpretation bias,rumination)

·Undertaking across-culturalcomparison ofunderlying factors andsymptomsofthese disorders/problems.

Sarah Cohen-Woods (Matthew Flinders Fellow)

My research focuses on establishing the role of genetics and epigenetics in psychological outcomes, and how environmental risk/protective factors mediate their influence through our biology (i.e. via epigenetic change. Understanding how it is the environment interacts with our genetics to either increase or decrease risk of poor mental health). Epigenetics provides a possible mechanism by which the environment can interact with our genome. Current projects that could be of interest to Masters and PhD students include: 1) investigating epigenetic change in context of cross-generational inheritance of childhood maltreatment (poor outcomes in children born to fathers exposed to childhood maltreatment); 2) understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of psychosis in context of childhood maltreatment, and neuroimaging-related and cognitive phenotypes in psychosis; 3) understanding the mechanisms of comorbidity between depressive symptoms, and obesity through child and adolescent development, and the impact of stressors in that time; 4) investigating if there is evidence for psychological disorders mediating the effect of obesity genetic risk variants from childhood through to adulthood; and 5) investigating epigenetic and biological effects of yoga and if biological changes are related to psychological change.

Some of the terms and ideas may sound intimidating, particularly if you have not yet had exposure to behavioural genetic research, however I will provide information and resources for gaps in knowledge, and the appropriate support to develop required skills. Please could interested students contact me at to discuss potential projects.

MichaelGradisar(AssociateProfessor,SchoolofPsychology)

There iscurrently1 projectonoffer toa MasterofPsychology(Clinical)student.Aspects ofsleep(eg, REMsleep)areassociated withlearning, memory,andemotionalprocessing.Currently we are providing asimple2-weektreatmentforschool-agedchildrenwhohavefears ofsleepingalone.Datathusfar showimprovementsindiary-reportedsleepandreductionsinself-reportedanxiety.Thissuggestsa rapidfear extinctionprocess.Theprojectonoffer intendstomeasureobjectivesleepin thesechildren(ie, polysomnography),beforeandafter treatment,andagainstacontrol, toidentify whichsleepstagesmaybeimplicatedinfear reductions.

EvaKemps(Professor, SchoolofPsychology)

Iaminterested insupervising projectsthatapplyexperimentalcognitive psychologytothestudyofhealth behaviours, in particulareating behaviour and physicalactivity.Examplesofpossible projects include:

  • Investigating theroleof mentalimagery in theexperience andreduction offoodcravings
  • Evaluating the effectiveness ofcognitive biasmodificationforreducing unhealthyas wellas dysfunctionaleatingbehaviour(including emotionaleatingandover-eating,as wellastheconsumption ofbeverages such as energydrinks and softdrinks)and/orincreasingphysicalactivity
  • Examining effects ofnutrition and/orphysicalactivityoncognition andpsychologicalwell-being

LeonLack(Professor,SchoolofPsychology)

Twofundedprojectsfor2017thatcouldaccommodate amaster's projectinclude:

  • Wehaveevidencethatinsomniacsexperience poordaysfollowing poorsleeps.Wewanttoexplore whethersuccessfultreatmentofinsomniawith CBTiresults ina decrease ofthisrelationship as istrueforgood sleepers and underliesthe decreased beliefsaboutthe impactofpoorsleepontheirsubsequentdaytimefunctioning.
  • Wearefurtherexploringaspects ofIntensive Sleep Re-training,a novelandverypromising treatmentofinsomnia.Inparticularweaim totranslate apresentlylaboratoryadministeredtherapytothe homeenvironment.

RobertLynd-Stevenson(SeniorLecturer,SchoolofPsychology)

I’m trainedandregisteredasaclinical psychologistandworkedinthecommunity as aclinical psychologistforanumber of years.My primary interest when conductingresearchistousemodelling methods (i.e., nonexperimentalmethods)toinvestigatevarioustheoriesaboutthe roleofcognitionsinthe aetiology andtreatmentofanxiety and depression.

Perhapsa bitofbackgroundmayhelpto explain myresearchinterests.Seligman(1966)argued thatthecausal conclusionsreportedin modellingresearcharejust as valid asthecausal conclusionsreported in experimental research. Amajor implicationofSeligman’sargumentisthat there’snothingaboutexperimentalresearchtoguaranteethatclinicalinterventions(or any otherinterventions)actually workinthecommunity.Seligman’sarticle wascriticisedby a numberofpeopleand Ipublished amethodologicalarticleindefenseof Seligman’sargument(Lynd-Stevenson,2007). Afewexamplesof researchtopicsthatI’dbeinterestedinsupervising thatwouldinvolve theuseof modellingmethods(ifyou’recurious,I canciteexamples fromtheresearchliteraturetostimulateyourthinking) investigating thecontributionofthreat cognitionsto theaetiologyandtreatment ofanxiety;

  • theroleofcognitions(e.g.,automaticthoughts,schema) inthe aetiologyandtreatmentofdepression;
  • developinga causalmodel to accountforthefactors that moderatethe influenceofclinical treatmentsinreal-worldsettings.
  • thecontribution ofsocial, political andcommunityfactorsinvolvedin the increasinglevelsofdepressionandanxiety reportedinWesternsocieties.
  • Another fieldofinterest concernsthescientist-practitioner model(again, ifyou’recurious, Ican citeexamplesfromtheresearchliteratureto stimulateyour thinking):
  • thescientist-practitioner model doesn’t appear tobe workingasoriginallyenvisaged. Inwhatway(ifat all)doesthemodel actuallywork?
  • whataretheprocedurespresentlyfollowed around Australiafor allocatingstudentstoclinical placementsinthecommunity?
  • whydon’tmanyclinical psychologistsofferplacements?
  • whatarethefactorsthat studentsconsidermakeagood supervisor?
  • whatarethefactorsinvolvedingeneratingstudentsatisfactionwithplacements?
  • whatamountofpsychopharmacologyshould betaught to clinical students?

JulieMattiske(SeniorLecturer,SchoolofPsychology)

For Mastersprojects, Iam broadlyinterested in anxiety,anxietydisorders, andhealth-relatedissues.I havesupervisedMastersprojectsin a range ofother areasincludingperfectionism,schizophrenia, andalcoholdependence.Iwouldbevery happy to serveastheinternalco-supervisor for mostofthenominatedhealthprojects,e.g., diabetes,oncology.

RegNixon(Professor,SchoolofPsychology)

My primaryinterestischildandadult responsetotraumaticstressorsthat caninclude(amongothers) physicalandsexual assault,motorvehicleaccidents,losingrelativestohomicideandcombat/war-related trauma.Iamspecifically interested in howpsychologicaldifficultiessuchasacutestress disorder (ASD) andposttraumatic stressdisorder (PTSD)developfollowing trauma,and in thetreatment ofthesedisorders.I am currentlyresearching memoryintraumatised children,intrusivememoryintraumatisedadultsandthetreatment ofposttraumaticstressinadults.Ihaveseveralpossibleprojectsintheseandrelateddomainsthat Iam happytodiscussfurther.

MarikaTiggemann(Professor,School ofPsychology)(ThisresearchprojectisonlyofferedtotheMasterofPsychology(Clinical)students)

Iaminterested insupervisingprojectsinthebroad area ofbody image. Specificinterestsincludemediaeffects, sexualisationof children,adultwomen, andapplicationsofObjectificationTheory.

MichaelTlauka(Lecturer,SchoolofPsychology)

My researchfocusesonhumanspatialmemory.Iaminterested insupervisingprojectsexamining people's ability to learnspatialinformation ina varietyofcontexts.Recentinvestigations includeforgetting,virtuallearningandsexdifferences in spatialability.

TraceyWade(Professor,SchoolofPsychology)

There arethreeareas on ongoing researchthatmay be ofinteresttopostgraduatestudents.

Thefirst isevaluationofan online perfectionismtreatmentprogram.Wehaveevidencetoshowthatan8-session facetoface protocolworks,andthatalso producessignificantbenefit in an online context.However,we nowwanttoknowifashorteronline program(i.e.,around3sessions) canalso produce significantchange inperfectionismand associatedpsychopathology.Thesecond istheevaluationofa three-sessionperfectionisminterventionin children,designed asa universalpreventionprogramfortheclassroom.Thethird isdeveloping a betterunderstanding ofwhich clients with eating disorders are bestsuitedto anintensive 10-session CBT (CBTi).

MichaelWenzel(Associate Professor,Schoolof Psychology)

My research currentlyfocusesonresponsesto victimizationsandwrongdoingininterpersonalor intergroupcontexts.Specifically,Iam interestedinvictims’andwrongdoers’responsestowrongdoingandtherolesofconfession, apology,forgivenessandself-forgiveness, punishment andself-punishment, etc.,inthe restoration ofjusticeperceptions, moral identities,and socialrelationships.

TimWindsor(Senior Lecturer, SchoolofPsychology)

Iam interestedinprojectsconcernedwithchangesinsocialbehavior andemotionregulationthat occur duringadulthoodandageing. Potentialprojectsmightinvolve examining thedifferenttypesof emotionregulationstrategiesthatolder andyounger adultsuse, andwhether useof different strategiesaremoreor lesseffectiveforyounger andolder adultsinmanagingtheir emotionalreactivitytodifferentstimuli. Iam alsointerestedinagedifferencesinpeoples’attemptstoregulatetheemotionsofsocialpartners(extrinsic emotionregulation),andwhether older andyounger adultscanbeprimedtoengageinself-regulatorybehaviors(e.g., avoidanceofnegativestimuli) usingimplicitmeans(i.e., outsideof consciousawareness).

Urry,H.L,Gross, J.J. (2010). Emotionregulationinolder age.Current DirectionsinPsychologicalScience,19,352-357.

RobynYoung(Assoc Prof,School ofPsychology)

MyresearchisintheareaofAutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD).Iaminterested inoutcomesofpersons withASD(childrenandadults)aswellascomorbidityissues.Iamalsointerested inearlydetectionof autism,andfemaleprofiles.Iamalsointerested inpeople’sfitnesstostandtrialandothermattersrelatedtoASDandcriminality;eitherperpetratorsorvictims.

Iamengaged in acollaborative research projectwith NeilBrewer(Professor,School ofPsychology)whichprovidesmanypossibleavenues for clinical projects. Broadlyspeakingthe projectisconcernedwith the interactions thatadultswith AutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD)havewith the criminal justice system.Wehave recentlycompletedabookmanuscripttitled The CrimesofPeoplewithAutismSpectrumDisorder:Myths andMechanisms. In thisweidentifynumerousinterestingbutlargelyunresearchedissues.These primarilyrelate tothose social-cognitive characteristicsofindividualswith ASD thatmightcontributeto theirbecominginvolvedincrime (as aculpritoravictim)ortoprejudicial(i.e.,negative)interactionswith the policeand the courts.Wecanaccommodatea coupleofstudentsworkingonprojectsin thisarea,particularlyprojectsthatmighttackle closely relatedinvestigationsofthe samebasicissue. Manyoftheseprojectsareamenable tolarebuta couple ofexamples fromnumerouspossibilities),one mightexaminehow someparticularcharacteristicsofthe verbal ornonverbalpresentation ofindividualswithASDaffecttheway inwhich othersperceive orrespond to them,orhow aninabilityto detectthe intentionsofothersthrough readingtheirnonverbal behaviourmaycontributetoaproblematicinteractionwith thatperson.

ProjectsSupervisedbyAdjunctStaff

Pleasenotethatanyresearchoffered byexternal organizationswillrequireaninternaluniversitysupervisor,where relativesupervisoryinputwillneed tobenegotiated on a case-by-casebasis.

Where a1 appearsas asuperscript bythenameof the supervisor,thisindicatesthatthe supervisorisexternal and aninternal university supervisor willberequired.

DrNadiaCorsini1,SeniorResearch Officer,BehaviouralResearch Unit,CancerCouncil SA P:82914382,E:

W:

CancerCouncil SA isanot-for-profitorganisation thatconductsand fundscancerresearch,providessupportservicesto people affectedbycancer,deliverspreventionprograms,and leadsadvocacy activities for improvingcanceroutcomes.Within theBehavioural Researchand Evaluation Unitweare interestedin the areasofcancersurvivorship (whatarethe unmetneeds and how canwe supportpeopleposttreatment?),disparitiesin cancerriskfactors(amongstpeoplein ruralareas and fromculturallyandlinguistically diverse communities),understandingdriversofcancerriskbehaviours(in particularsun protection practices),evaluation ofCancerCouncil SAprogramsin the areasofcancersupportandprevention.WeworkcloselywithProfessorCarleneWilson, CancerCouncil SA Chairin CancerPrevention(Behavioural Science)andwouldbe happyto discuss jointsupervision ofprojects.

Please email meifyouhave aproposed projectyouwouldlike to discussfurther.

NicoleLovato1 (ResearchAssociate)

Myresearchspansseveral areas within thefield ofsleepresearch andareprimarilyfocused onthe basicandclinical aspects ofsleep, circadianrhythms,sleepdisorders andtreatment, as well as therelationshipbetweensleepanddaytimefunctioning.

One ofmyupcomingprojectswill be focused onusinganovel approachtoprevent theonsetofdepressioninadolescentswith goodsleep.Basedon our recentresearch(Lovato

Gradisar,2014), itisproposedthatestablishingandmaintaining goodsleepduringadolescencecouldprevent futuredepressedmood.Usingameta-analyticapproach, wehave reportedtimespent awake in bedsignificantlycontributedtothedevelopmentofdepressioninadolescents.

Thisproject willevaluatewhetherour school-basedsleepeducationprogramcan improvebothsleepanddepressed moodrelative toacontrol-group. Thisexperimental data willalsfurther informour current understandingofthe developmentofdepressionfrom sleepdisturbance.

Ifyouhave an interest inthisproject pleaseemail metomake anappointment:

Reference:Lovato,N.,Gradisar,M.(2014). Ameta-analysisand modeloftherelationshipbetweensleepanddepression in adolescents:Recommendationsfor futureresearchandclinical practice.SleepMedicineReviews, 18(6), 521-529.

RitaPrinci1(RegisteredPsychologist,PrinciConsulting,441FullartonRoad,HIGHGATESA5063,Telephone: (08)83777755; Facsimile: (08)83777855; email:). Interestedinsupervisingprojectsrelatedto:Neuropsychotherapy- Advances in neurobiological researchsupportedbyneuralimagingstudiesindicatehowadverseexperiencesaffect thebrain.Thesefindingsindicatetheeffectofseverestress(emotionaland/or physical)on brainfunctioning,neuralfiringandultimatelyneuralstructure.Recentresearchindicate that talkingtherapiessignificantlyenhancepositivebehavior,brainfunctioningandevenbrainstructureespeciallyin the prefrontalcortexregions,orbitofrontalcortex,anterior cyngulate gyrus, hippocampusandamygdala.Theneurobiological effectof talkingtherapieswithemphasison neurogenesisandneuroplasticity,openednewperspectivesfor therapeuticinterventions–theemerging

paradigmofNeuropsychotherapy

ProjectsOffered byExternalSupervisors/Organisations

Rob Baker1(Director,CardiacSurgery ResearchUnit,FlindersMedicalCentre andFlindersUniversity email:,ph: 84042015):

The CardiacSurgeryUnitatFlinders hasbeen exploring the roleofmood,andspecifically depression,on cardiacpatientoutcomes foranumberofyears. Opportunityexistover thenext fewyearstodevelop ourongoinginterests examining thosefactors whichimpactonourpatientsafter discharge fromhospital.We are currentlycollectingdataonqualityoflifeand depression aspartofourroutine practice. Wehave project areasavailable lookingatthe valueofthisinformation in informingus aboutourpatientsjourney. Tyingthesemeasuresto ourlarge clinical registry provides an ideal opportunityfor anenergeticMastersorPhD student. The surgicalunithasastrongtrackrecord ofpublished researchin this area.

SusanHeinrich1,SeniorClinicalPsychologist, SAForensicMentalHealthNorthernAdelaideLocal HealthNetwork– SAHealthGovernment

PossibleprojectsavailablethroughForensicMental HealthServicesforPsychologypost-graduatestudents.Icanbe contactedon 0422335 434 ouldalsowelcomecontact from studentswhomayhave otherideasfor researchprojects.

-Outcomes(bothclinical mental health andrecidivism) forforensicconsumersbasedonvariablesincludinggender,illnesstype,patient journey,offencetypeetc.Mostofthesewould be replicationstudiesofthosedoneelsewhere.To dateveryfewstudieshavefocused onthe SApopulation andthe uniqueaspectsofour legalsystem.

-Impact ofcourt ordersonmotivation and outcomes

-Duressandemergencycodes in JNH–Hasthenewenvironmentandincreasedsecuritypresence impactedthefrequencyandtypeofhighriskincidents?

-Riskassessmentsandcost-effectivenessoftreatment onmanagingandreducingrisk(forexample,do our transitionplansassist tomanage riskand dotheychangelongtermoutcomes).

SimonMcMahon1, BusinessandSystemsCoordinatorAdelaideNorthernheadspace, AdelaideNorthern Division ofGeneralPractice). Phone: 08 82529444;Fax:08 82529433;Email:

Iamlookingtoevaluate auniversalmentalhealth promotion programtopreventdepressionandanxiety related mentalhealthproblems. Theprogramuseshe frameworkfor Prevention,PromotionandearlyIntervention(Departmentof Health andAgeing)andevidencedbased researchfrom journalreviews(andmore). Theprogramisdeliveredasafacilitationbasedworkshoptoadultsinthe labourforce.Theevaluation wouldfocusonimpact and outcomesusing quantitativeand qualitativemeasures.