School of Psychology staff

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  • Manawatū campus 64 6 356 9099
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Professor Kirsty Ross staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517968

Professor Kirsty Ross BA, BA(Hons), PGDipClinPsych, PhD

Head of the School of Psychology

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Psychology

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 84968
    Location: 1.06, Bernard Chambers C
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts - Massey University (1996)
  • Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) - Massey University (1998)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology - Massey University (2006)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2006)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Paediatric Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Clinical Health Psychology; Family Therapy; Palliative Care for children with terminal conditions

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology (170106): Psychology (170100): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000)

Research Outputs

Journal

Gibson, C., Williams, M., Ross, K., & de Vries, N. (2023). Distress, self-efficacy, feeling informed and the Babble app: A New Zealand neonatal parent sample. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. 29(2), 273-277
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K., Williams, M.
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2
Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., & Taylor, JE. (2022). How do youth, parents, and educators use discursive sexual scripts to make sense of youth engagement with internet pornography?. Porn Studies. 9(4), 445-463
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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13
Baken, DM., Ross, KJ., Hodges, LD., & Batten, L. (2023). Experiences of carers of youth, adult children and spouses with ME/CFS. Chronic Illness. 19(4), 719-729
[Journal article]Authored by: Baken, D., Hodges, L., Ross, K.
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1
Dodge, A., Gibson, C., Williams, M., & Ross, K. (2022). Exploring the needs and coping strategies of New Zealand parents in the neonatal environment. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 58(6), 1060-1065
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K., Williams, M.
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5
Healy-Cullen, S., Taylor, JE., Ross, K., & Morison, T. (2022). Youth Encounters with Internet Pornography: A Survey of Youth, Caregiver, and Educator Perspectives. Sexuality and Culture. 26(2), 491-513
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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16

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Healy-Cullen, S., Taylor, JE., Morison, T., & Ross, K. (2022). Using Q-Methodology to Explore Stakeholder Views about Porn Literacy Education. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. 19(2), 549-561
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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13
1
Sievwright, O., Philipp, M., Drummond, A., Knapp, K., & Ross, K. (2021). Misinformation effects in an online sample: Results of an experimental study with a five day retention interval. Peerj. 9
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K.
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1
Gibson, C., Ross, K., Williams, M., & de Vries, N. (2021). The Experiences of Mothers in a Neonatal Unit and Their Use of the Babble App. Sage Open. 11(2)
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K., Williams, M.
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10
1
Jeffrey, JS., Leathem, J., King, C., Mefford, HC., Ross, K., & Sadleir, LG. (2021). Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: Personal utility of a genetic diagnosis for families. Epilepsia Open. 6(1), 149-159
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K.
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22
Cameron, N., Ross, K., Baken, D., & Bimler, D. (2021). The psychosocial interactions of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and the possible relationship with their development. Cancer Nursing. 44(1), E23-E33
[Journal article]Authored by: Baken, D., Ross, K.
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22
2
Matthews, T., Baken, D., & Ross, K. (2020). Single cases from multiple perspectives: a qualitative study comparing the experiences of patients, patients’ caregivers, surgeons, and nurses when bad news is delivered about cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice. 2(3), 1-8 Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/jporp/fulltext/2020/10000/single_cases_from_multiple_perspectives__a.15.aspx
[Journal article]Authored by: Baken, D., Ross, K.
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Matthews, T., Baken, D., Ross, K., Ogilvie, E., & Kent, L. (2019). The experiences of patients and their family members when receiving bad news about cancer: A qualitative meta-synthesis. Psycho Oncology. 28(12), 2286-2294
[Journal article]Authored by: Baken, D., Ross, K.
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47
6
Baken, DM., Harvey, ST., Bimler, DL., & Ross, KJ. (2018). Stigma in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and its association with functioning. Fatigue Biomedicine Health and Behavior. 6(1), 30-40
[Journal article]Authored by: Baken, D., Ross, K.
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14
Rifshana, F., Breheny, M., Taylor, JE., & Ross, K. (2017). The Parental Experience of Caring for a Child with Type 1 Diabetes. Journal of Child and Family Studies. 26(11), 3226-3236
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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21
7
McIvor, J., Taylor, JE., & Ross, KJ. (2011). Will the needle make me bleed to death? Cognitions of chronically ill children. Psychology Aotearoa. 3(2), 141-144
[Journal article]Authored by: Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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Ross, K., Malthus, S., Berrett, M., & Harvey, S. (2009). Providing clinical health psychology services in a primary health world. New Zealand Journal of Psychology. 38(1), 39-47
[Journal article]Authored by: Malthus, S., Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ., & Handy, JA. (2005). Using written accounts in qualitative research.. South Pacific Journal of Psychology. 16(1), 40-47
[Journal article]Contributed to by: Ross, K.

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Thesis

Ross, KJ. (2006). “Father’s without children”: A discursive study of the accounts and identities presented by sperm donors.. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Ross, K.

Conference

Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor J, ., & Taylor, K. (2022). How youth make meaning of the ways gender and sexuality are portrayed in Internet pornography. In Book of Abstracts: 36th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society(pp. 610 - 610). , 36th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society Bratislava, Slovakia: European Health Psychology Society
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K.
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Ross, K., Baken, D., Macfarlane, S., Mcdowell, H., & Purcell, M. (2021). The Benefits of A Narrative, Strengths-Based Approach to Distress Screening in the Community for Parents of Paediatric Oncology Patients. In Pediatric Blood and Cancer Vol. 68 (pp. S363 - S363). , 53rd Congress of the international Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Virtual Congress October 21-24, 2021: Wiley Periodicals LLC
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., & Taylor, J. (2021). How youth, caregivers and educators draw on sexual scripts to make sense of young people’s engagement with Internet pornography. In Abstract Booklet: International Society for Critical Health Psychology's (ISCHP) 12th Biennial Conference 2021(pp. 5 - 5). , International Society for Critical Health Psychology's (ISCHP) 12th Biennial Conference 2021 Wellington, New Zealand: International Society for Critical Health Psychology
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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Ross, K., Baken, D., Macfarlane, S., Kiddle, R., Mcdowell, H., Purcell, M., . . . Masina, J. (2020). A Narrative, Strengths-Based Approach to Distress Screening in the Community for Parents of Paediatric Cancer Patients. In Pediatric Blood and Cancer Vol. 67 (pp. S169 - S169). , 52th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Virtual Congress Hoboken, New Jersey, United States of America: Wiley Periodicals LLC
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Gibson, C., Ross, K., Williams, M., & de Vries, N. (2019). Parents' experiences of the neonatal unit and the role of the Babble App. Poster session presented at the meeting of Paediatric Society of New Zealand 71st Annual Scientific Meeting. Auckland, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Ross, K., Williams, M.
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Ross, K., Baken, D., MacFarlane, S., & Kiddle, R. (2019). A narrative approach to distress screening for families experiencing paediatric cancer. In Pediatric Blood & Cancer Vol. 66 (pp. S476 - S476). , 51st Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP): Wiley
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ., & Baken, D. (2017, August). The role of psychology in addressing childhood obesity. Presented at Asian Association of Social Psychology (AASP) 2017 Conference: Making a difference with social science. Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Shailer, J., Ross, KJ., & Baken, D. (2017, August). Working with Health and Cancer Services' clients. Presented at Asian Association of Social Psychology (AASP) 2017 Conference: Making a difference with social science. Massey University Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ. (2015, November). How to manage chronic pain in young people. Presented at Pediatric Society of New Zealand 67th Annual Scientific Meeting. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ. (2014, September). Assessment of emotional well-being and strategies for early interventions. Presented at Diabetes Nurse Specialist Symposium. Palmerston North, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ. (2014, November). Demystifying working with children and young people. Presented at Pyschosocial Oncology New Zealand. Palmerston North, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ. (2014). Paediatric Pain workshop - emotional distress. Presented at NZ Pain Society Conference. Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
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McIvor, J., Taylor, J., Ross, K., Blampied, NE., & Gammon, R. (2013). 'Stupid little pointy needle!' Evaluating a treatment for kids with needle-related distress. , 23rd New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists [NZCCP] National Conference: Upping our Game 'Nga Ringa Raupa' New Zealand: New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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McIvor, J., Taylor, J., Ross, K., Blampied, NE., & Gammon, R. (2013, April). 'Stupid little pointy needle!' Evaluating a treatment for kids with needle-related distress. Presented at 23rd New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists National Conference: Upping our Game 'Nga Ringa Raupa'. Dunedin, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K., Taylor, J.
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Ross, KJ. (2012, November). Pediatric society conference workshop on pediatric pain. Presented at Pediatric Society of NZ. Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
Daud, NM., Coombes, L., Venkateswar, S., & Ross, K. (2013). Globalisation: The experience of Malay adolescents with conduct problems.. In A. Rogerson, & S. Denne (Eds.) Refereed Proceedings of Doing Psychology: Manawatū Doctoral Research Symposium. Vol. 2 (pp. 73 - 80). Palmerston North: Doing Psychology: Manawatū Doctoral Research Symposium
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Coombes, L., Ross, K.
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Ross, KJ., & Berrett, MJ. (2011, November). Psychosocial issues in the management of ESRD. Presented at Renal Society of Australasia. Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Ross, K.
Ross, KJ. (2009). Psycho-social Interventions with Children: The Massey University Health Conditions & Psycho-Oncology Services. Presented at NZ Psychological Society Conference. Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
Ross, KJ., & Berrett, MJ. (2009). Disordered Eating. Presented at Diabetes Youth Conference. Nelson.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Ross, K.
Ross, KJ., & Berrett, MJ. (2009). The role of psychology in the management of diabetes. Presented at Diabetes Youth Conference. Nelson.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Contributed to by: Ross, K.
Ross, KJ. (2009). DEMYSTIFYING WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. Presented at Psycho-Oncology NZ. Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ross, K.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Ross, KJ., & Handy, JA. (2004). Using written accounts in qualitative research. In Psychological Science in Action(pp. 133 - 137). , Australiain Psychological Society Annual Conference
[Conference Abstract]Contributed to by: Ross, K.
Handy, J., & Ross, K. (2004). Using written interviews in qualitative research. In AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY Vol. 56 (pp. 189 - 189). : AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K.
Ross, KJ., & Handy, J. (1997). Family perceptions of anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study of two families' histories. In Looking back and moving forward: 50 years of New Zealand Psychology, NZ Psychological Society Conference
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ross, K.
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Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 7 10
Co-supervisor 11 17

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Rosie Rooney - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Beyond Loss: Exploring the Long Term Impact of Baby Loss in Aotearoa
  • Courtney Ngata-Turley - Doctor of Philosophy
    Navigating Multiple Whakapapa: Exploring the intersections of Multi-Ethnic identities.
  • Sarah Barnes - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    A Two Part Study Investigating Mental Health Literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand Parental Figures and Adolescents in the Community
  • Alannah Woolford - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Midlife Women’s Experience's with Eating Distress and their Help Seeking Journey.
  • Mitch Lagera - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Promoting Conversations of Mental Health in Filipino Immigrant Families: An Exploration of 1.5-Generation Young Adults' Experiences
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  • Kimberley Templeton - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    It is Not Black and White: Women’s Constructions of Sexual Consent in Mid-life
  • Julia Ioane-Joseph - Doctor of Philosophy
    I was doing time too. Experiences of Pasifika parents in the Youth Justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Co-supervisor of:

  • Drina Westerbaan - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The relationship between self-beliefs and attitudes to mental health treatment.
  • Kate Bryant - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Hearing and healing the experiences of our Whakapapa: A collective engagement of being and becoming with Pūrākau as people both Māori and adopted
  • Sacha Malkin - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Telehealth Abortion Counselling in Aotearoa: A discursive analysis of counsellor's accounts.
  • Kate Duin - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Narratives of becoming: Making sense of neurodivergent rainbow rangatahi lived experiences through affirmations of difference.
  • Jane Reeves - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Exploring 'Long Covid' Experiences and Healthcare Engagement in Aotearoa/New Zealand
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  • Melinda Lewthwaite - Doctor of Philosophy
    Exploring Assemblages of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dietary Practices and Disordered Eating / Eating Disorders.
  • Christina Gillmore - Doctor of Philosophy
    A Dual Analysis Poststructuralist Phenomenological Exploration of Women CSA Survivors’ Embodied Sexual Desires and Pleasures During Adulthood
  • Chantel Fewtrell - Doctor of Philosophy
    Wait and learn: delivering psychoeducational videos in the waiting room.
  • Luyu Qiu - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Chinese in Aotearoa and Their Attitudes Towards and Experiences of Talking Therapies/Mental Health in Aotearoa
  • Isi Cash - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Pacific Youth Identities and Well-being
  • Sara Murugappa Chettiar - Doctor of Philosophy
    Developing a Psychological Resilience Treatment Manual for University Students and High-Risk Occupations Populations

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2025 - Kathleen Armstrong - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Development of a Psychosocial Intervention that Supports Siblings of Children and Adolescents with Serious Chronic Health Conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • 2024 - Alana Clapperton - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Developing a sense of self in the modern world: Gaining deeper insight into the role of social media in young peoples’ lives.
  • 2024 - Charlene Tipene - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Whānau Māori and their Experiences of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for Clinical Practice
  • 2024 - Jennifer Beckett - Doctor of Philosophy
    The Surviving Emotional Storms Programme: A service user informed programme developed from an exploratory study of help-seeking experiences of NZ tert
  • 2023 - Olivia Jennison - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    ‘A Permanent Scar’: Exploring the Long-Term Experiences of Parents/ Caregivers after their Child’s Cancer Treatment
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  • 2021 - Brooke Yelavich - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    An Investigation of the Factors Relating to Attendance of Psychological Appointments
  • 2021 - Natalija Damnjanovic - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The “ACT-ive” Pursuit of Loss and Gain: The Impact of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Intervention on Post Weight-Loss Surgery Individuals.
  • 2021 - Charlotte Gibson - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Babies and Babble: Parents' Experiences of the Neonatal Unit and the Role of the Babble App
  • 2020 - Amy Edwards - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Emotions in the classroom: Exploring relationships between students' perceptions of teachers' practices and students' strengths and difficulties
  • 2020 - Jana Oskam - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    One parent’s advice to another: An exploration of self-care for parents of children with high-need disabilities and the development of a psychoeducational resource
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Co-supervisor of:

  • 2025 - Andrew Dodge - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    An Exploration into Gender and Generational Differences in Mental Health Literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia
  • 2025 - Amelia Perry - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Therapeutic Counterspace as an Ethical Encounter: A Dignified Response to Gendered Sexual Violence and Women’s Narratives of Pain
  • 2025 - Jeronimo Vicente Figueira Menezes - Doctor of Philosophy
    Rewriting Therapeutic Failure: Ethics, Aesthetics and Politics in the Critique of Psychology's Institution
  • 2025 - Lucy Lightfoot - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Exploring the Wraparound Process through a Decolonising Lens: Global Insights, Māori Whānau Perspectives, and Quantitative Outcomes of Engagement with Te Kahu Toi Intensive Wraparound Services
  • 2024 - Sonia Barnes - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Parent Mental Health Literacy Needs in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • view more...
  • 2024 - Natasha Amarasekara - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Exploring the Narratives of People with Lived Experiences of Eating-Related Distress and their Stories of Recovery
  • 2022 - Olivia Sievwright - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Media Exposure to Trauma, Psychotherapy, and False Memories: A Recipe for Disaster?
  • 2022 - Siobhan Healy-Cullen - Doctor of Philosophy
    'Porn Literacy’ as Pedagogy?: Key Stakeholder Perspectives on Understanding and Responding to Young People's Engagement with Internet Pornography
  • 2021 - Jennifer Jeffrey - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Lived Experience of Families with Children with Genetically Solved Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies
  • 2021 - Sharon Crooks - Doctor of Philosophy
    Un-strangering ‘the stranger’ in a strange land: A multi-perspective, participant-led, exploration of in/ex-clusion in NZ mainstream high schools - privileging the voices of senior ‘high functioning’ autistic students.
  • 2020 - Aramis Dennan - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    A Dominant Swipe: Does Ambivalent Sexism Impact Young Adults’ Engagement with Dating Applications?
  • 2020 - Tamyra Matthews - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Breaking Bad News about Cancer: The Experience of Patients, Patients’ Family/Whānau Members and Healthcare Professionals
  • 2019 - Nicole Cameron - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The psychosocial interactions of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors and the possible relationship with their development
  • 2017 - Chelsea Dowling - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    A Sexual Masquerade: The Performance of Desire and Femininity in a Fifty Shades of Grey Era
  • 2017 - Mohd Najmi Daud - Doctor of Philosophy
    Globalisation in the Malaysian context: The experience of Malay adolescents with 'conduct disorders'
  • 2017 - Fathimath Rifshana - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Lived Experience of Parents Caring for a Child with Type 1 Diabetes
  • 2014 - Jessica McIvor - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Stupid Little Pointy Needle! Dismantling a Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment for Chronically Ill Children with Needle-Related Distress

Professor Emeritus
Prof Ian M Evans

Honorary Teaching and Research Fellow
Dr Ross Flett

Honorary Research Fellow
Dr Amanda Young-Hauser

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Last updated on Tuesday 15 July 2025