Psychology

Examining how focused and immersive music listening events can support well-being.
Amanda Krause - Psychology
Stigma prevents many people from seeking well-being support; however, positive music listening experiences can buffer the impact of stigma on help-seeking. Recent research suggests that community-based, focused music listening experiences have real potential for improving individual well-being, but research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. This project uses a case study to examine people’s experiences of participating in communal, high-fidelity, and immersive music listening sessions. Expected outcomes include solidifying a research partnership with a community organisation and disseminating evidence relating to substantiating the mechanisms underpinning the well-being benefits of focused and immersive music listening. JCU College of Healthcare Sciences 2024 Research Seed Grant
Deepfake detection and biases
Klaire Somoray - Psychology
Deepfakes are computer-generated synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is manipulated to have another person's likeness. The public is generally poor at detecting deepfakes, performing only marginally better than chance (Somoray & Miller, 2023). A series of studies will expand on our previous work examining factors that influence deepfake detection as well as investigating the public's biases associated with deepfakes.
GenAI in the classroom
Klaire Somoray - Psychology
Our project will examine both the student and educator perspectives, aiming for high-impact outcomes: 1) Phase 1-2 will assess AI's impact on students’ learning and assessment, informing AI literacy frameworks, assessment reforms and development of OER guides for ethical and critical use of AI and 2) Phase 3 will focus on educator’s perspectives, guiding future professional development programs.
Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for improving mental health and metabolic profile among diabetes patients: A randomized clinical trial
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Sep 2024 - 30 Apr 2027
The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of MBSR for improving mental health and metabolic profile in diabetes patients living in regional and rural north Queensland using a RCT design. Our study will answer three research questions: 1) Is in-person MBSR efficacious for improving mental health and metabolic profile in diabetes patients? 2) Is online MBSR efficacious for improving mental health and metabolic profile in diabetes patients? 3) Are there mental health benefits observed after 4- and 6-week interventions?
Culturally Responsive Diabetes Prevention (CDP) Program for Children of First Nations in North Queensland –A Pilot Study (CI)
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Apr 2024 - 28 Feb 2025
The CDP program aims to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) children in Townsville. It comprises of 6 months of a weekly 2-hour physical activity alternating with a weekly 2-hr nutrition/sports education in a storytelling format to be delivered by ATSI elders. Sixty ATSI children aged 8-17 years will participate. Clinical data will be collated at onset, 3 and 6 months and a questionnaire will be administered to determine changes in clinical markers of T2D including body weight, blood pressure, knowledge and attitude of heathy diet and daily physical activity.
Predicting treatment success based on physiological and psychological markers at baseline
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Sep 2022 - 31 May 2024
this study examines whether physiological and psychological markers at baseline can predict treatment success of a stress intervention in 50 university students, 25 each from JCUA and JCUS. This project will provide the foundation for a larger study focused on predicting treatment efficacy based on individual differences at baseline, which may inform clinicians in choosing person-focused interventions to increase efficacy and reduce the burden and costs related to ineffective and delayed treatment.
Mindful Warriors Full-Day Retreat
Wendy Li - Psychology
12 Oct 2024 - 12 Oct 2024
The Mindful Warriors Full-Day Retreat at the Central Plaza, James Cook University, Townsville, is an initiative during the Queensland Mental Health Week, offering veterans and their family members a day to connect with nature, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace. Guided by a qualified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) teacher, participants will practice mindfulness meditation away from daily distractions. This practice encourages being fully present and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. It is a powerful tool for emotional regulation and overall well-being for veterans and community members. The retreat includes various meditation techniques (body scan, attention-focus meditation, lying down yoga meditation, standing yoga, meditation, sit meditation, walking meditation), and a mindful BBQ and eating session.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Group Intervention for Victim-Survivors of Violence against Women in Regional and Rural North Queensland
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Sep 2023 - 30 Aug 2024
Violence against women (VAW) is a major public health problem in Australia. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023 report, 23% Australian women experienced violence by an intimate partner and 12.6% women experienced sexual harassment in the past 12 months1. Women living in regional, rural and remote areas are more likely to experience VAW compared to metropolitan women3. VAW commonly results in post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD)3 that is often a comorbid condition of depression and anxiety4. Prolonged exposure, cognitive processing and cognitive behavioural therapies are the most well-studied first- and second-wave psychotherapies, that have demonstrated effectiveness for individuals with PTSD4. However, about 30-60% individuals do not respond well to these treatments5, indicating a critical need for research into alternative treatments for PTSD among victim-survivors of VAW, such as third-wave psychotherapies. As a prominent third-wave psychotherapy, MBSR has been employed as a safe and effective treatment for victim-survivors of VAW in the past decade; but is predominately USA-based4. The proposed activity is to deliver MBSR to 30 victim-survivors of VAW in Townsville and evaluate its effectiveness for this population. This study is the first in Australia to evaluate the effectiveness of MBSR for this population.
Delivery of the Veterans’ Individualised Physical Education, Rehabilitation, Recovery and Reintegration (VIPER3) program
Wendy Li - Psychology
26 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2026
The Veterans’ Individualised Physical Education, Rehabilitation, Recovery and Reintegration program (VIPER 3) will pilot a novel approach to address the challenges faced by military veterans that have transitioned to civilian life, through a combination of exercise and mindfulness interventions. Utilising a "battle buddy" system, 20 veterans will participate in a 12-week regime of tailored exercise and mindfulness sessions, designed to provide the psychosocial, health and wellness framework to support their reintegration into the community. Greater compliance, positive participant feedback, and improvements in physical and mental health and quality of life will support wider implementation of the program and future funding support.
Becoming a soldier: A Qualitative Study into Construction of the Army Identity and its Impact on Mental Health
Carolyn Heward - Psychology
20 Nov 2024 - 31 Jan 2029
Student-led project (PhD) - agreement sought between JCU and DoD to allow access to current serving members (Army personnel) for the purpose of qualitative interviews and focus groups. Access to DoD policy documents including personnel manuals, Defence health policy/manuals, standard operating procedures
Title: ‘Men are not expected to be interested in babies’: how society lets new fathers – and their families – down, The Guardian
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jun 2025
Title: Children of parents with psychiatric diagnoses – health, development and well-being in the first year of life. A study of children born in 2002-2022 in Region Hovedstaden, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: The consequences of the corona pandemic for the health and well-being of the population: part 3. A systematic literature review, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 16 Feb 2024
Title: Society of Mental Health Research
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: The Society of Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP)
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: Asian Journal of Social Psychology
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: The Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: Co-Producer, Bamboo podcast series
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Co-Producer, Professionally Psyched podcast series
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Scientist participant, STEM Pals
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2026