Dr Kristen Murray
Areas of expertise
- Mental Health 111714
- Psychology 1701
- Health, Clinical And Counselling Psychology 170106
Research interests
I am interested in the areas of clinical and health psychology. My clinical practice and research focuses on psychological factors in health and well-being, particularly how these relate to obesity, eating disorders, chronic disease and health behaviour change. I am broadly interested in research that aims to understand, assess, prevent and treat these factors to improve health and well-being in the community. My current projects focus on body image, specifically our relationship with both the functioning and appearance of the body, as well as community knowledge and beliefs about body image and implications for help-seeking. I am interested in understanding multiple aspects of the body image construct, exploring differences in body image across factors such as gender, health status and development, and innovative approaches to prevention and intervention programs fostering a positive connection with the body to promote mental health, enhance health promoting behaviours such as intuitive eating and physical activity, and decrease health depleting behaviours such as disordered eating and sedentary behaviours. I also have interests in psychological stress, interprofessional practice, and innovations in clinical care.
Biography
Dr Murray is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about promoting health and well-being in the community. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) at the Australian National University (ANU) in 2013, where she was awarded the Steven Klimidis Memorial Prize for Excellence in Clinical Psychology and Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists Student Prize. She has worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice and public health settings where she specialises in weight management, health behaviour change and eating disorders. Her primary therapeutic approach employs cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing.
Her research in clinical and health psychology focuses on the assessment and intervention of psychological factors in obesity, eating disorders, chronic health conditions and health behaviour change. She has a particular interest in body image, specifically how individuals relate to functional experiences of the body and its implications for health behaviours and well-being. Furthermore, her work aims to investigate novel and innovative approaches to research and practice in body image, such as by investigating community knowledge and beliefs about body image, help-seeking for body image concerns, and training programs to improve literacy in this area. She also has an interest in psychological stress, youth mental health, innovation in education and practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Her research has been presented at national and international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed publications.
Kristen is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Research School of Psychology at the ANU, where she also convenes the Master of Professional Psychology program. She teaches and supervises students undertaking research and clinical training in professional and clinical psychology. She was previously Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra where she taught clinical and health psychology, and convened the Master of Clinical Psychology program and External Placements. She received an ANU College of Health and Medicine Excellence Award as a member of the Research School of Psychology Professional Programs Team in 2020, as well as the Australian Psychological Society Early Career Teaching Award and University of Canberra Faculty of Health Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018.
Researcher's projects
Building Positive Body Image Project
Partnership between ANU Research School of Psychology and ANU Psychology Clinic
Supported by ACT Government under ACT Health Promotion Grants Program (2021-2023)
Building Positive Body Image | ANU Research School of Psychology
Publications
- Calear, A, McCallum, S, Morse, A et al. 2022, 'Psychosocial impacts of home-schooling on parents and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic', BMC Public Health, vol. 22, no. 119, pp. 1-8.
- Nicol, A, Mak, A, Murray, K et al. 2021, 'Early maladaptive schemas in young people who self-injure', Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 77, no. 7, pp. 1745-1762.
- Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Gulliver, A et al. 2021, 'Cause or Symptom? A Longitudinal Test of Bidirectional Relationships Between Emotion Regulation Strategies and Mental Health Symptoms', Emotion, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 1511-1521.
- Murray, K, Brichacek, E & Rieger, E 2021, 'Intentions to see a psychologist for weight management: A cross-sectional study investigating beliefs about psychologists, psychological services and obesity', Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 77, no. 10, pp. 2288-2305.
- Rieger, E, Lee, Y, Monaghan, C et al. 2021, 'Measuring social processes regarding eating, physical activity, and weight in higher-weight people: the weight-related interactions scale (WRIS)', Eating and Weight Disorders, vol. 27, pp. 737-749.
- Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Smithson, M et al. 2021, 'Corrigendum: The Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Wellbeing in a Representative Sample of Australian Adults', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 11.
- Gulliver, A, Banfield, M, Batterham, P et al. 2021, 'Effects of previous exposure to psychotherapeutic strategies on depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic', BJPsych Open, vol. 7, no. 1, e38.
- Stevens, M, Cruwys, T & Murray, K 2020, 'Social support facilitates physical activity by reducing pain', British Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 576-595.
- Rich, K, Murray, K, Smith, H et al. 2020, 'Interprofessional practice in health: A qualitative study in psychologists, exercise physiologists, and dietitians', Journal of interprofessional care, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 682-690.
- Nicol, A, Mak, A, Murray, K et al. 2020, 'The Relationships Between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Youth Mental Health: A Systematic Review', Cognitive Therapy and Research, no. Online, pp. -.
- Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Smithson, M et al. 2020, 'The Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Wellbeing in a Representative Sample of Australian Adults', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 11, 579985
- Murray, K, Rieger, E & Byrne, D 2018, 'Body image predictors of depressive symptoms in adolescence', Journal of Adolescence, vol. 69, pp. 130-139pp.
- Rieger, E, Treasure, J, Murray, K et al 2017, 'The use of support people to improve the weight-related and psychological outcomes of adults with obesity: A randomised controlled trial', Behaviour Research and Therapy, vol. 94, pp. 48-59.
- Murray, K, Rieger, E & Byrne, D 2016, 'The Effect of Peer Stress on Body Dissatisfaction in Female and Male Young Adults', Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 261-276pp.
- Murray, K, Rieger, E & Byrne, D 2015, 'The relationship between stress and body satisfaction in female and male adolescents', Stress and Health, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 13-23.
- Murray, K, Rieger, E & Byrne, D 2013, 'A longitudinal investigation of the mediating role of self-esteem and body importance in the relationship between stress and body dissatisfaction in adolescent females and males', Body Image, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 544-551.
- Murray, K, Byrne, D & Rieger, E 2011, 'Investigating adolescent stress and body image', Journal of Adolescence, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 269-278.
- Christensen, H, Murray, K, Calear, A et al. 2010, 'Beacon: A Web portal to high-quality mental health websites for use by health professionals and the public', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 192, no. 11, pp. S40-S44.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- Building Positive Body Image Program (Primary Investigator)