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
2020
Journal Article
Validation of the fears of compassion scale in a Chinese cultural context
Guo, Mingchun, Wang, Jingyun, Day, Jamin and Kirby, James N. (2020). Validation of the fears of compassion scale in a Chinese cultural context. Mindfulness, 12 (3), 683-692. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01534-z
2020
Journal Article
Development and validation of fidelity monitoring and enhancement in an evidence-based parenting program
Sanders, Matthew R., Spry, Carmen S., Tellegen, Cassandra L., Kirby, James N., Metzler, Carol M. and Prinz, Ronald J. (2020). Development and validation of fidelity monitoring and enhancement in an evidence-based parenting program. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 47 (4), 569-580. doi: 10.1007/s11414-020-09713-5
2020
Journal Article
Neural and self-report markers of reassurance: a generalized additive modelling approach
Kim, Jeffrey J., Henderson, Trent, Best, Talitha, Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020). Neural and self-report markers of reassurance: a generalized additive modelling approach. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11 566141, 566141. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.566141
2020
Journal Article
Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels
Walton, Courtney C., Baranoff, John, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James (2020). Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50 101733, 101733. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101733
2020
Journal Article
Attachment styles modulate neural markers of threat and imagery when engaging in self-criticism
Kim, Jeffrey J., Kent, Kirsty M., Cunnington, Ross, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Attachment styles modulate neural markers of threat and imagery when engaging in self-criticism. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 13776. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70772-x
2020
Book Chapter
Introduction to psychological impacts on mental health: How psychological science informs how we approach mental health
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2020). Introduction to psychological impacts on mental health: How psychological science informs how we approach mental health. Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness. (pp. 1-3) New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429244551-1
2020
Book
Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness : The Applications of Psychological Research
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul eds. (2020). Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness : The Applications of Psychological Research. New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429244551
2020
Journal Article
Physiological fractals: visual and statistical evidence across timescales and experimental states
Kim, Jeffrey J., Parker, Stacey, Henderson, Trent and Kirby, James N. (2020). Physiological fractals: visual and statistical evidence across timescales and experimental states. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 17 (167) 20200334, 20200334. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0334
2020
Journal Article
Compassion focused therapy for body weight shame: a mixed methods pilot trial
Carter, Alicia, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Compassion focused therapy for body weight shame: a mixed methods pilot trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 28 (1) cpp.2488, 93-108. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2488
2020
Journal Article
Insecure striving, self-criticism, and depression: the prospective moderating role of fear of compassion from others
Hart, Jemma S., Kirby, James N., Steindl, Stanley R., Kane, Robert T. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2020). Insecure striving, self-criticism, and depression: the prospective moderating role of fear of compassion from others. Mindfulness, 11 (7), 1699-1709. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01385-8
2020
Journal Article
Neurophysiological and behavioural markers of compassion
Kim, Jeffrey J., Parker, Stacey L., Doty, James R., Cunnington, Ross, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Neurophysiological and behavioural markers of compassion. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 6789, 6789. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63846-3
2020
Journal Article
Compassion-based interventions for people with long-term physical conditions: a mixed methods systematic review
Austin, J., Drossaert, C. H. C., Schroevers, M. J., Sanderman, R., Kirby, J. N. and Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2020). Compassion-based interventions for people with long-term physical conditions: a mixed methods systematic review. Psychology and Health, 36 (1), 1-27. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1699090
2020
Journal Article
Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology
Kim, Jeffrey J., Gerrish, Ruby, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 94 (S2) papt.12270, 188-211. doi: 10.1111/papt.12270
2020
Journal Article
A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Kirby, James N. (2020). A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29 (3), 605-619. doi: 10.1007/s10826-019-01553-y
2020
Journal Article
The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes
Kim, Jeffrey J., Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020). The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 108, 112-123. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.023
2019
Journal Article
Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention
Kirby, James N. (2019). Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention. Education Sciences, 10 (1) 3. doi: 10.3390/educsci10010003
2019
Journal Article
Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes
Kirby, James N., Seppälä, Emma, Wilks, Matti, Cameron, C. Daryl, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Nguyen, Dong T. H., Misra, Supriya, Simon-Thomas, Emiliana, Feinberg, Matthew, Martin, Daniel and Doty, James (2019). Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes. Current Psychology, 40 (10), 4884-4894. doi: 10.1007/s12144-019-00405-8
2019
Journal Article
Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017)
Sanders, Matthew R., De Caestecker, Linda, McLeod, Stephen, Day, Jamin J., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina and Kirby, James (2019). Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017). BMC Pediatrics, 19 (1) 269, 269. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1570-z
2019
Journal Article
Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, MacArthur, Michael and Kirby, James N. (2019). Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness. Mindfulness, 10 (11), 2259-2271. doi: 10.1007/s12671-019-01191-x
2019
Journal Article
Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems. Mindfulness, 10 (6), 1006-1016. doi: 10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8
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
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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
Feasibility and pilot testing of a compassion-focused intervention in young offenders and children in care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell, Dr Sasha Lynn
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Enhancing Doctor, Nurse and Patient Compassion in Healthcare
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm
Principal Advisor
-
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
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
Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cliff Mallett
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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