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
2016
Journal Article
Social media and gamification: engaging vulnerable parents in an online evidence-based parenting program
Love, Susan M., Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Maurange, Marianne, Knott, Theresa, Prinz, Ronald, Metzler, Carol and Ainsworth, Andrew T. (2016). Social media and gamification: engaging vulnerable parents in an online evidence-based parenting program. Child Abuse and Neglect, 53, 95-107. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.10.031
2016
Book Chapter
The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: a community-wide approach to parenting and family support
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and McWilliam, Jenna (2016). The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: a community-wide approach to parenting and family support. Family-based prevention programs for children and adolescents: theory, research, and large-scale dissemination. (pp. 134-159) edited by Mark J. Van Ryzin, Karol L. Kumpfer, Gregory M. Fosco and Mark T. Greenberg. New York, NY, United States: Psychology Press. doi: 10.4324/9781315764917-14
2015
Journal Article
Erratum: Reducing preschoolers’ disruptive behavior in public with a brief parent discussion group
Joachim, Sabine, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2015). Erratum: Reducing preschoolers’ disruptive behavior in public with a brief parent discussion group. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 46 (5), 821-821. doi: 10.1007/s10578-014-0501-3
2015
Book Chapter
Triple P—Positive Parenting Program
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2015). Triple P—Positive Parenting Program. Evidence-based parenting education: a global perspective. (pp. 225-243) edited by James J. Ponzetti, Jr.. New York, United States: Routledge.
2014
Journal Article
Issues in Professional Training to Implement Evidence-based Parenting Programs: The Preferences of Indigenous Practitioners
Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Hodge, Lauren (2014). Issues in Professional Training to Implement Evidence-based Parenting Programs: The Preferences of Indigenous Practitioners. Australian Psychologist, 49 (6), 384-394. doi: 10.1111/ap.12090
2014
Journal Article
Erratum: the role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care [The Journal of Primary Prevention], 32, (2011) 95-112 DOI10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1]
Turner, Karen M. T., Nicholson, Jan M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014). Erratum: the role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care [The Journal of Primary Prevention], 32, (2011) 95-112 DOI10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1]. Journal of Primary Prevention, 35 (6), 457-457. doi: 10.1007/s10935-014-0365-0
2013
Other Outputs
Triple P Online
Turner, K. M. T. and Sanders, M. R. (2013). Triple P Online. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
2013
Other Outputs
Supporting Indigenous Health Professionals: key issues and supports for the adoption of evidence-based behavioural family intervention in Indigenous communities
Turner, Karen (2013). Supporting Indigenous Health Professionals: key issues and supports for the adoption of evidence-based behavioural family intervention in Indigenous communities. Brisbane, Australia:
2012
Journal Article
A commentary on evidenced-based parenting programs: redressing misconceptions of the empirical support for Triple P
Sanders, Matthew R., Pickering, John A., Kirby, James N., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina, Mazzucchelli, Trevor, Ralph, Alan and Sofronoff, Kate (2012). A commentary on evidenced-based parenting programs: redressing misconceptions of the empirical support for Triple P. BMC Medicine, 10 (1) 145, 145.1-145.5. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-10-145
2012
Journal Article
A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems
Sanders, Matthew R., Baker, Sabine and Turner, Karen M. T. (2012). A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50 (11), 675-684. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2012.07.004
2012
Journal Article
Clinical handbook of assessing and treating conduct problems in youth
Turner, Karen (2012). Clinical handbook of assessing and treating conduct problems in youth. Clinical Psychologist, 16 (1), 57-58. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-9552.2012.00041.x
2011
Journal Article
The role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care
Turner, Karen M. T., Nicholson, Jan M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2011). The role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care. Journal of Primary Prevention, 32 (2), 95-112. doi: 10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1
2011
Book
Presentation guide for Triple P discussion group series 1
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2011). Presentation guide for Triple P discussion group series 1. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Triple P discussion group workbook: Dealing with disobedience
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2011). Triple P discussion group workbook: Dealing with disobedience. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Every parent’s family workbook
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2011). Every parent’s family workbook. 2nd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Triple P discussion group workbook: Hassle-free shopping with children
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2011). Triple P discussion group workbook: Hassle-free shopping with children. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Triple P discussion group workbook: Developing good bedtime routines
Turner, Karen M.T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2011). Triple P discussion group workbook: Developing good bedtime routines. 26 ed. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Triple P discussion group workbook: Managing fighting and aggression
Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. M. T. (2011). Triple P discussion group workbook: Managing fighting and aggression. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Facilitator’s manual for Triple P discussion groups
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2011). Facilitator’s manual for Triple P discussion groups. Brisbane QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
2011
Book
Facilitator’s manual for Selected Triple P
Sanders, M.R. and Turner, K.M.T. (2011). Facilitator’s manual for Selected Triple P. 3rd ed. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Women¿s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Papua New Guinea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant, Dr Vigya Sharma
-
Doctor Philosophy
Indigenous parent wellbeing: Implications for early intervention parenting support in Indigenous communities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Sanders
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating low intensity school based program to promote parent-teracher communication and collaboration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Sanders, Dr Cassandra Tellegen
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Raising Children in Healthy Environments in India: Exploring `Familial Agency' to Mitigate the Negative Impact of Environmental Impoverishment
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Cultural Sensitivity in Working with Indigenous Peoples: A Model Proposed and Evaluated Towards Culturally Sympathetic Methodology for Capacity Building and Social Change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Sanders
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing the Self-Efficacy and Wellbeing of Caregivers in Orphanages of Pakistan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate 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: Associate Professor Alina Morawska, Professor Matthew Sanders
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Implementation and Sustainability of an Evidence-based Intervention: Delivering Triple P within Indigenous Child Welfare Agencies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Sanders
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Karen Turner directly for media enquiries about:
- Child behaviour
- Parenting
- Parenting programs
- Triple P
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