Overview
Background
I have worked in both the clinical and academic fields of clinical psychology, in Australia and the UK, before joining UQ in 2012. My research investigates the cognitive and social consequences of trauma and disease in neurological populations, and also on identity-cognition relationships in aging. In this work I have addressed questions about the integrity of cogntiive ability, notably memory, and its rehabilitation, but also the impact that impairment of these abilities have on personal andsocial identity.
Availability
- Professor Catherine Haslam is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, University of New South Wales
- Masters (Coursework) of Arts (Clinical Psychology), Macquarie University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University
Research interests
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Social identity and the social determinants of health
There are several strands of this research. The first investigates the impact that identity processes have on cognitive integrity, mental health, and well-being following life change. A second strand investigates the impact of social group-based interventions, that build new social identities and provide people with the skills for effective use of these psychological resources to protect health and well-being. This has informed development of a new social intervention — Groups 4 Health — that aims to give people the knowledge and skills they need to independently manage their social group memberships, and the social identities that underpin them, effectively. This work has been conducted with a range of clinical and non-clinical populations — including older adults in the community and residential care, neurological populations (acquired brain injury, dementia), people with addictions, and mental health populations (notably, depression) — using cross-sectional, longitudinal and experimental methodologies.
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Neuro-rehabilitation
This research addresses the treatment of neurological disorders in people with stable and progressive conditions across the lifespan. My particular focus is on memory rehabilitation and involves exploration of theory relevant to memory enhancement and its intervention through use of learning principles and instructive techniques (errorless learning, spaced retrieval, and vanishing cues).
Works
Search Professor Catherine Haslam’s works on UQ eSpace
1998
Journal Article
Memory for generalities: Access to higher-level categorical relationships in amnesia
Haslam, C, Cook, ML and McKone, E (1998). Memory for generalities: Access to higher-level categorical relationships in amnesia. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 15 (5), 401-437. doi: 10.1080/026432998381096
1997
Journal Article
Preserved category learning in amnesia
Haslam, Catherine, Coltheart, Max and Cook, Michael (1997). Preserved category learning in amnesia. Neurocase, 3 (5), 337-347. doi: 10.1080/13554799708411973
1995
Journal Article
Further Examination of Posttraumatic Amnesia and Post-Coma Disturbance as Nonlinear Predictors of Outcome After Head-Injury
Haslam, Catherine, Batchelor, Jennifer, Fearnside, Michael R., Haslam, S. Alexander and Hawkins, Simon (1995). Further Examination of Posttraumatic Amnesia and Post-Coma Disturbance as Nonlinear Predictors of Outcome After Head-Injury. Neuropsychology, 9 (4), 599-605. doi: 10.1037//0894-4105.9.4.599
1994
Journal Article
Post-Coma Disturbance and Posttraumatic Amnesia as Nonlinear Predictors of Cognitive Outcome Following Severe Closed-Head Injury - Findings From the Westmead-Head-Injury-Project
Haslam, C., Batchelor, J., Fearnside, M. R., Haslam, S. A., Hawkins, S. and Kenway, E. (1994). Post-Coma Disturbance and Posttraumatic Amnesia as Nonlinear Predictors of Cognitive Outcome Following Severe Closed-Head Injury - Findings From the Westmead-Head-Injury-Project. Brain Injury, 8 (6), 519-528. doi: 10.3109/02699059409151004
1991
Conference Publication
Predicting neuropsychological outcome 12 months post-head injury using indexes of acute neurological states - Initial findings
Batchelor, J., Tipp, C., Hawkins, , Kenway, E. and Fearnside, M.R. (1991). Predicting neuropsychological outcome 12 months post-head injury using indexes of acute neurological states - Initial findings. International Neuropsychological Society Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment: Pacific RIM Conference , Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, July 13–16, 1991 . Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/01688639108401055
1989
Journal Article
Restoration of stimulus associability, electrodermal activity, and processing resource-allocation
Packer, Jeanette S., Siddle, David A.T. and Tipp, Catherine (1989). Restoration of stimulus associability, electrodermal activity, and processing resource-allocation. Biological Psychology, 28 (2), 105-121. doi: 10.1016/0301-0511(89)90093-8
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Catherine Haslam is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Adjustment to retirement as a process of social identity change
Retirement is an inevitable part of aging for most people, but successful adjustment is far from straightforward. About 30 percent of people find the transition highly stressful and experience a marked reduction in well-being and this is despite engaging in financial planning. As these data, suggest successful transition into retirement is about much more than having enough money. Recent research has begun to focus on the role of social factors given the upheaval that this significant life change imposes on our social networks. Supporting this development are emerging data showing that people who maintain and extend their social ties, especially those with social groups (e.g., work/ professional, friendship, community groups), live longer and have a better quality of life after retirement. So what is it about these social group networks that promotes health and well-being in the retirement transition? This is the key question that this project will address.
This project will draw on recent data from UK, US and Australian populations to examine the extent to which changes in our social group relationships as we retire affects adjustment. It aims to improve understanding of the nature and size of that influence to more effectively manage that social change with a view to optimising adjustment, health, and well-being as we age into retirement. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) provides a framework to investigate these issues as it specifies mechanisms that can buffer the effects of social group change in life transitions. It has yet to be fully interrogated in the retirement context and this will provide the theoretical focus for the project.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychological adjustment after acquired brain injury: The role of social identity in psychosocial recovery.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zoe Walter, Dr Tegan Cruwys
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Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing the potential of community groups to prevent loneliness in older people
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
From trauma to growth: The role of social identity in resilience and recovery from trauma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tegan Cruwys, Professor Jolanda Jetten
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Doctor Philosophy
Memory Symptoms in People with Epilepsy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Alan Pegna
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Doctor Philosophy
From PTSD to PTG: The role of social identity in resilience and recovery from trauma.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tegan Cruwys, Professor Jolanda Jetten
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Doctor Philosophy
Stereotype Threat and Workplace Disengagement: Social Identity as a Buffer Among Older Employees
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
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Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Self and Reward on Cognitive Processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos
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Doctor Philosophy
Stereotype Threat and Workplace Disengagement: Social Identity as a Buffer Among Older Employees
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
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Doctor Philosophy
Detection of negative emotions using wearable sensors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins
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Doctor Philosophy
Stereotype Threat and Workplace Disengagement: Social Identity as a Buffer Among Older Employees
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
Doctor Philosophy
From PTSD to PTG: The role of social identity in resilience and recovery from trauma.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tegan Cruwys, Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
Doctor Philosophy
Stereotype Threat and Workplace Disengagement: Social Identity as a Buffer Among Older Employees
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
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Doctor Philosophy
Detection of negative emotions using wearable sensors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins
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Doctor Philosophy
Social identity processes affecting retirement from sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nik Steffens, Professor Alex Haslam
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Group Processes to Maximise the Potential of Group Interventions
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Social Connectedness and Retirement Adjustment: The Contribution of Social Participation and Social Group Memberships
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nik Steffens
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A Social Identity Approach to Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Dr Tegan Cruwys
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Self and Reward on Cognitive Processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The role of social identities in the mental health, well-being and academic performance of international students: An application of the Social Identity Model of Identity Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tegan Cruwys, Professor Alex Haslam
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding Depression across Cultures: A Social Identity Perspective
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tegan Cruwys, Professor Jolanda Jetten
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Catherine Haslam directly for media enquiries about:
- social dimensions of health
- social intervention
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