Overview
Background
Karen Turner is a clinical psychologist and research academic. She is Deputy Director at the Parenting and Family Support Centre. Her research activity focuses on the impact of evidence-based parenting support on child, family and community outcomes. She is a foundational co-author of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and has published more than 50 professional manuals, parent workbooks, tip sheet series, and video programs, which are currently being used in 27 countries, in 20 languages. She has also co-written television segments and four interactive online parenting programs. She has clinical and research experience relating to parent wellbeing, child development, and the prevention and treatment of a variety of childhood behavioural and emotional problems, including work with feeding disorders, pain syndromes and conduct problems. Her research has also focused on the development and evaluation of brief primary care interventions in the prevention of behaviour disorders in children, and the dissemination of these interventions to the professional community. She has also conducted series of research into: online delivery of parenting programs; the cultural tailoring of mainstream parenting programs for Indigenous families; and enhancing the training and post-training environment for Indigenous professionals. Her current work includes further resource development for primary care settings, early education settings, and an ongoing focus on making evidence-based parenting support programs more accessible for First Nations families, and in low-resource and developing communities.
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Associate Professor Turner has over 35 years of experience in the development, evaluation and dissemination of behavioural family intervention and prevention programs. Her work has primarily revolved around the UQ flagship Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, which has been subjected to over 400 research trials by over 1700 researchers in over 540 institutions; is used by more than 77,000 trained and accredited practitioners from different disciplines; and has reached more than an estimated 7 million children. The key theme of her program development and research endeavours has been increasing access to evidence-based parenting and family support for all families, with the aim of reducing population prevalence rates of child behavioural and emotional problems, family conflict and adversity. The impact of this work is both instrumental (in shaping policy, professional practice and family outcomes) and capacity building (in building community, organisational, professional and individual skills), and is establishing enduring international connectivity. It has led to adoption of evidence-based parenting programs by most state governments in Australia, and from a county/province to a national level in other countries. Her work in the cultural tailoring of programs for Australian First Nations families has engendered interest from other First Nations populations (e.g. Canada, New Zealand) and migrant and resettled families.
Works
Search Professor Karen Turner’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Scaling up parenting interventions is critical for attaining the sustainable development goals
Sanders, Matthew R., Divan, Gauri, Singhal, Meghna, Turner, Karen M. T., Velleman, Richard, Michelson, Daniel and Patel, Vikram (2021). Scaling up parenting interventions is critical for attaining the sustainable development goals. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 53 (5), 941-952. doi: 10.1007/s10578-021-01171-0
2021
Journal Article
Empowering the voices and agency of Indigenous Australian youth and their wellbeing in higher education✰
Durmush, Georgia, Craven, Rhonda G., Brockman, Robert, Yeung, Alexander Seeshing, Mooney, Janet, Turner, Karen and Guenther, John (2021). Empowering the voices and agency of Indigenous Australian youth and their wellbeing in higher education✰. International Journal of Educational Research, 109 101798, 101798. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101798
2020
Journal Article
Model of engaging communities collaboratively
McIlduff, Cari Dawn, Forster, Michell, Carter, Emily, Davies, Jadnah, Thomas, Sue, Turner, Karen M.T., Brown Wilson, Christine and Sanders, Matthew R. (2020). Model of engaging communities collaboratively. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, 13 (1), 45-69. doi: 10.5204/ijcis.v13i1.1346
2020
Conference Publication
Using information about social norms to engage parents in online Triple P for their child’s behaviour problems
Ohan, J. L., Morawska, A., Turner, K. M. T. and Sanders, M. R. (2020). Using information about social norms to engage parents in online Triple P for their child’s behaviour problems. Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 5 - 7 February 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Understanding the perspective of caregivers working in Pakistani orphanages regarding their role as caregivers and the impacts on children’s wellbeing
Khalid, A., Morawska, A. and Turner, K. M. T. (2020). Understanding the perspective of caregivers working in Pakistani orphanages regarding their role as caregivers and the impacts on children’s wellbeing. Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 5 -7 February 2020.
2020
Book
Positive Early Childhood Education Program coach's manual
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Rusby, Julie C. and Dittman, Cassandra (2020). Positive Early Childhood Education Program coach's manual. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Triple P International.
2020
Conference Publication
Helping families change communities: an exploration of family aspirations and barriers to achieving them in impoverished environments
Singh, S., Turner, K. M. T. and Ashworth, P. (2020). Helping families change communities: an exploration of family aspirations and barriers to achieving them in impoverished environments. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Exploring women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study
Penman, N., Turner, K. M. T., Sharma, V., Lant, P., Nelson, G. and Doble, S. (2020). Exploring women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2020
Other Outputs
Parenting in a pandemic television series
Blowers, Katrina (producer), Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Cobham, Vanessa E., McWilliam, Jenna, Ralph, Alan and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2020). Parenting in a pandemic television series . Brusbane, QLD Australia: Seven Network (Operations).
2020
Book Chapter
Evidence-based parenting support across cultures: the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program experience
Turner, Karen M.T., Singhal, Meghna, McIlduff, Cari, Singh, Saumya and Sanders, Matthew R. (2020). Evidence-based parenting support across cultures: the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program experience. Cross-cultural family research and practice. (pp. 603-644) edited by W. Kim Halford and Fons Van De Vijver. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815493-9.00019-3
2020
Conference Publication
Our journey, our learnings with Australia’s first peoples: teaching both ways in Indigenous Triple P training
Forster, M., Herd, M. and Turner, K. M. T. (2020). Our journey, our learnings with Australia’s first peoples: teaching both ways in Indigenous Triple P training. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2020
Other Outputs
Jandu Yani U (“for all families”) project report
Andersson, E., McIlduff, C., Davies, J., Cox, E., Thomas, S., Hand, M., Carter, E., Oscar, J., Turner, K. M. T., Elliott, E. and Einfeld, S. (2020). Jandu Yani U (“for all families”) project report. Sydney, NSW, Australia: The University of Sydney.
2020
Conference Publication
Jandu Yani U (for all families): culturally modified Triple P creating change in remote Aboriginal communities in the Fitzroy Valley
McIlduff, C., Davies, J., the Jandu Yani U team and Turner, Karen (2020). Jandu Yani U (for all families): culturally modified Triple P creating change in remote Aboriginal communities in the Fitzroy Valley. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Enhancing the self-regulatory capacities of vulnerable parents through the combination of parent training and trauma-informed life skills coaching
Baker, S., Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. M. T. (2020). Enhancing the self-regulatory capacities of vulnerable parents through the combination of parent training and trauma-informed life skills coaching. 20th Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2019
Journal Article
Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P - positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial
Andersson, Ellaina, McIlduff, Cari, Turner, Karen, Thomas, Sue, Davies, Jadnah, Elliott, Elizabeth J. and Einfeld, Stewart (2019). Jandu Yani U 'For All Families' Triple P - positive parenting program in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: a study protocol for a community intervention trial. BMJ Open, 9 (10) e032559, e032559. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032559
2019
Book Chapter
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program System
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2019). Triple P - Positive Parenting Program System. Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy. (pp. 3073-3079) edited by Jay L. Lebow, Anthony L. Chambers and Douglas C. Breunlin. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_376
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
Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Metzler, Carol W. (2019). Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22 (1), 24-42. doi: 10.1007/s10567-019-00287-z
2019
Conference Publication
Triple P goes online
Turner. K. M. T. and Love, S. M. (2019). Triple P goes online. 16th Helping Families Change Conference, Sydney, Australia, 19-21 February 2014.
2019
Other Outputs
Positive Early Childhood Education Program [4-module interactive online program]
Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R., Dittman, Cassandra K. and Rusby, Julie R. (2019). Positive Early Childhood Education Program [4-module interactive online program]. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Indigenous parent wellbeing: Implications for early intervention parenting support in Indigenous communities
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Parents as partners in children's education: Evaluating the role of parental-self-regulation in effective home-school partnership
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Tellegen
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vigya Sharma
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Raising Children in Healthy Environments in India: Exploring `Familial Agency' to Mitigate the Negative Impact of Environmental Impoverishment
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing the Self-Efficacy and Wellbeing of Caregivers in Orphanages of Pakistan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alina Morawska
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Broadening the reach of evidence-based parenting interventions: Evaluation of a brief online version of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alina Morawska
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Implementation and Sustainability of an Evidence-based Intervention: Delivering Triple P within Indigenous Child Welfare Agencies
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Karen Turner directly for media enquiries about:
- Child behaviour
- Parenting
- Parenting programs
- Triple P
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