Overview
Background
James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He has broad research interests in compassion, but specifically examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding. He also examines the clinical effectiveness of compassion focused interventions, specifically in how they help with self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK. In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion, and in 2020 he co-edited Making an Impact on Mental Health. He serves as an Associate Editor for two international journals Mindfulness and Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice.
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Deepening Self-Compassion
This project will examine novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion
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Compassionate decision-making
This project is examining predictors to compassionate-decision making using behavioural measures
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Compassion and athletes
This project examines how compassion can help in the context of sports and athletes
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Examining the psychological impacts of integrated residential housing for young people with high-level disability
This project is supported by funding from YoungCare
Works
Search Professor James Kirby’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Compassion focused therapy to reduce body weight shame for individuals with obesity: a randomized controlled trial
Carter, Alicia, Steindl, Stanley R., Parker, Stacey, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2023). Compassion focused therapy to reduce body weight shame for individuals with obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Behavior Therapy, 54 (5), 747-764. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.02.001
2023
Journal Article
A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: a randomised controlled trial
Kirby, James N., Hoang, April and Ramos, Norman (2023). A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: a randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 96 (3), 608-626. doi: 10.1111/papt.12459
2023
Journal Article
Self-compassion and compassion for others: a multiple mediation study of personal values
Cha, Jane E., Serlachius, Anna S., Cavadino, Alana, Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2023). Self-compassion and compassion for others: a multiple mediation study of personal values. Mindfulness, 14 (10), 2417-2429. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02202-8
2023
Journal Article
Compassion as a framework for creating individual and group-level wellbeing in the classroom: new directions
Kirby, James N., Sherwell, Chase, Lynn, Sasha and Moloney-Gibb, Dylan (2023). Compassion as a framework for creating individual and group-level wellbeing in the classroom: new directions. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 33 (1) PII S2055636523000058, 2-12. doi: 10.1017/jgc.2023.5
2023
Journal Article
Self-acceptance mediates the relationship between perceived parenting behaviors and fears of compassion
Wang, Jingyun, Guo, Mingchun, Day, Jamin and Kirby, James N. (2023). Self-acceptance mediates the relationship between perceived parenting behaviors and fears of compassion. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32 (3), 744-755. doi: 10.1007/s10826-022-02522-8
2023
Journal Article
Testing the bounds of compassion in young children
Kirby, James N., Kirkland, Kelly, Wilks, Matti, Green, Mitchell, Tanjitpiyanond, Porntida, Chowdhury, Nafisa and Nielsen, Mark (2023). Testing the bounds of compassion in young children. Royal Society Open Science, 10 (2) 221448, 1-14. doi: 10.1098/rsos.221448
2023
Journal Article
Promoting prosocial behavior in an unequal world
Kirkland, Kelly, Jetten, Jolanda, Wilks, Matti and Kirby, James (2023). Promoting prosocial behavior in an unequal world. Frontiers in Psychology, 13 1021093, 1-15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1021093
2023
Journal Article
Improvements in compassion and fears of compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a multinational study
Matos, Marcela, McEwan, Kirsten, Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Steindl, Stanley R., Ferreira, Nuno, Linharelhos, Mariana, Rijo, Daniel, Asano, Kenichi, Vilas, Sara P., Márquez, Margarita G., Gregório, Sónia, Brito-Pons, Gonzalo, Lucena-Santos, Paola, da Silva Oliveira, Margareth, de Souza, Erika Leonardo, Llobenes, Lorena, Gumiy, Natali, Costa, Maria Ileana, Habib, Noor, Hakem, Reham, Khrad, Hussain, Alzahrani, Ahmad, Cheli, Simone, Petrocchi, Nicola, Tholouli, Elli, Issari, Philia, Simos, Gregoris, Lunding-Gregersen, Vibeke ... Gilbert, Paul (2023). Improvements in compassion and fears of compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a multinational study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (3) 1845, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031845
2023
Journal Article
Compassionate mind training for ex‐service personnel with PTSD and their partners
Romaniuk, Madeline, Hampton, Sarah, Brown, Kelly, Fisher, Gina, Steindl, Stanley R., Kidd, Chloe and Kirby, James N. (2023). Compassionate mind training for ex‐service personnel with PTSD and their partners. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 30 (3), 643-658. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2825
2023
Book Chapter
Compassion Focused Therapy – What It Is, What It Targets, and the Evidence
Kirby, James N. and Petrocchi, Nicola (2023). Compassion Focused Therapy – What It Is, What It Targets, and the Evidence. Handbook of Self-Compassion. (pp. 417-432) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_23
2023
Journal Article
Editorial: Community series: expanding the science of compassion, volume II
Mongrain, Myriam, Kirby, James and Keltner, Dacher (2023). Editorial: Community series: expanding the science of compassion, volume II. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 1341792, 1341792. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1341792
2023
Journal Article
What do (and don’t) we know about self-compassion? Trends and issues in theory, mechanisms, and outcomes
Cha, Jane E., Serlachius, Anna S., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2023). What do (and don’t) we know about self-compassion? Trends and issues in theory, mechanisms, and outcomes. Mindfulness, 14 (11), 2657-2669. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02222-4
2023
Journal Article
Beliefs about action efficacy mediate the relationship between self-concept clarity and self-reported compassionate action
Perrykkad, Kelsey, Sherwell, Chase, Kirby, James and Hohwy, Jakob (2023). Beliefs about action efficacy mediate the relationship between self-concept clarity and self-reported compassionate action. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. doi: 10.1037/cns0000349
2022
Journal Article
Promoting positive relationship between parents and grandparents: a randomized controlled trial of Group Triple P Plus Compassion in Vietnam
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T., Kirby, James N., Haslam, Divna M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2022). Promoting positive relationship between parents and grandparents: a randomized controlled trial of Group Triple P Plus Compassion in Vietnam. Behavior Therapy, 53 (6), 1175-1190. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.06.002
2022
Book
Choose compassion: why it matters and how it works
Kirby, James (2022). Choose compassion: why it matters and how it works. St Lucia, QLD Australia: UQP.
2022
Journal Article
Stages of lipoedema: experiences of physical and mental health and health care
Clarke, Chantelle, Kirby, James N., Smidt, Tilly and Best, Talitha (2022). Stages of lipoedema: experiences of physical and mental health and health care. Quality of Life Research, 32 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s11136-022-03216-w
2022
Journal Article
A systematic review on mediation studies of self-compassion and physical health outcomes in non-clinical adult populations
Cha, Jane E., Boggiss, Anna L., Serlachius, Anna S., Cavadino, Alana, Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2022). A systematic review on mediation studies of self-compassion and physical health outcomes in non-clinical adult populations. Mindfulness, 13 (8), 1876-1900. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01935-2
2022
Journal Article
The role of likeability in discriminating between kindness and compassion
Kirby, James N., Gerrish, Ruby, Sherwell, Chase and Gilbert, Paul (2022). The role of likeability in discriminating between kindness and compassion. Mindfulness, 13 (6), 1555-1564. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01900-z
2022
Journal Article
Therapist perspectives on working with fears, blocks and resistances to compassion in compassion focused therapy
Steindl, Stan, Bell, Tobyn, Dixon, Alison and Kirby, James N. (2022). Therapist perspectives on working with fears, blocks and resistances to compassion in compassion focused therapy. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 23 (3), 850-863. doi: 10.1002/capr.12530
2022
Journal Article
Nurturing self-compassionate performers
Walton, Courtney C., Osborne, Margaret S., Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James (2022). Nurturing self-compassionate performers. Australian Psychologist, 57 (2), 77-85. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2022.2033952
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Deepening Self-Compassion
This PhD project is aimed at examining novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion. The project involves multi-modal approaches, including the use of video-recording, physiology, and self-report measures
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Examining an online Compassion Skills Training intervention
This PhD project will examine a newly created online Compassion Skills Training intervention, which includes six modules. The progam is self-directed and aimed towards populations that have difficulty with self-criticism and shame.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Gender and sexuality perspectives on body image
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on The Experience of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw, Dr Chase Sherwell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Gender and sexuality perspectives on body image
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp
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Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility and pilot testing of a compassion-focused intervention in young offenders and children in care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Enhancing Doctor, Nurse and Patient Compassion in Healthcare
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Mindful and compassionate nature connection to increase the well-being of family members caring for people living with dementia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Theresa Scott
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Doctor Philosophy
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle
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Doctor Philosophy
An examination of men's social reactions to disclosures of non-physical intimate partner violence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Barlow, Professor Barbara Masser
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Doctor Philosophy
NAVIGATEVR. Understanding age-related differences in hazard perception by leveraging insights from the virtual world.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Coundouris, Dr Nell Baghaei, Professor Julie Henry
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cliff Mallett
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Doctor Philosophy
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on Sensitivity to Distress and the Experience of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw, Dr Chase Sherwell
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Dr Tegan Cruwys
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Neurophysiological Correlates of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Ross Cunnington
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nurturing ChAMPs: Child and Adolescent mental health and Maternal wellbeing following Preterm birth.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Samudragupta Bora
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Efficacy of Triple P Plus Compassion in Promoting Co-parenting Relationship Between Parents and Grandparents in Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Divna Haslam
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The role of antisocial behaviour and group membership on children's imitation across development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor James Kirby directly for media enquiries about:
- altruism
- compassion
- empathy
- parenting
- self-compassion
- shame
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