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Associate Professor Karen Turner
Associate Professor

Karen Turner

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 57302

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

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

93 works between 1994 and 2024

81 - 93 of 93 works

2005

Book

Every parent's supplementary workbook module 3: Partner support

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen Mary Thomas and Markie-Dadds, Carol (2005). Every parent's supplementary workbook module 3: Partner support. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.

Every parent's supplementary workbook module 3: Partner support

2004

Book Chapter

Using the Triple P system of intervention to prevent behavioural problems in children and adolescents

Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Turner, K. M. T. and Ralph, A. (2004). Using the Triple P system of intervention to prevent behavioural problems in children and adolescents. Handbook of Interventions that Work with Children and Adolescents: Prevention and Treatment. (pp. 489-516) edited by P. Barrett and T. Ollendick. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley. doi: 10.1002/9780470753385.ch20

Using the Triple P system of intervention to prevent behavioural problems in children and adolescents

2004

Book

Triple P tip sheet series for Selected Triple P

Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. M. T. (2004). Triple P tip sheet series for Selected Triple P. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Triple P International.

Triple P tip sheet series for Selected Triple P

2003

Journal Article

Training GPs in parent consultation skills: an evaluation of training for the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program

Sanders, Matthew R., Tully, Lucy A., Turner, Karen M. T., Maher, Clare and McAuliffe, Christine (2003). Training GPs in parent consultation skills: an evaluation of training for the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Australian Family Physician, 32 (9), 763-768.

Training GPs in parent consultation skills: an evaluation of training for the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program

2003

Other Outputs

Parenting and family support in primary care setting

Turner, Karen Mary Thomas (2003). Parenting and family support in primary care setting. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/158046

Parenting and family support in primary care setting

2003

Book

Theoretical, Scientific and Clinical Foundations of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A Population Approach to the Promotion of Parenting Competence

Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C. and Turner, K. (2003). Theoretical, Scientific and Clinical Foundations of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A Population Approach to the Promotion of Parenting Competence. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: The Parenting and Family Support Centre.

Theoretical, Scientific and Clinical Foundations of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A Population Approach to the Promotion of Parenting Competence

2002

Journal Article

The Role of the Media and Primary Care in the Dissemination of Evidence-Based Parenting and Family Support Interventions.

Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. (2002). The Role of the Media and Primary Care in the Dissemination of Evidence-Based Parenting and Family Support Interventions.. The Behavior Therapist, 25 (9), 156-166.

The Role of the Media and Primary Care in the Dissemination of Evidence-Based Parenting and Family Support Interventions.

2002

Journal Article

The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Markie-Dadds, Carol (2002). The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support. Prevention Science, 3 (3), 173-189. doi: 10.1023/A:1019942516231

The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support

1999

Book

Every Parent's Self-Help Workbook

Markie-Dadds, C., Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. (1999). Every Parent's Self-Help Workbook. Milton, QLD, Australia: Families International.

Every Parent's Self-Help Workbook

1997

Journal Article

Mealtime Behaviour and Parent-Child Interaction: A Comparison of Children with Cystic Fibrosis, Children with Feeding Problems, and Nonclinic Controls

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Wall, Clare R., Waugh, Linda M. and Tully, Lucy A. (1997). Mealtime Behaviour and Parent-Child Interaction: A Comparison of Children with Cystic Fibrosis, Children with Feeding Problems, and Nonclinic Controls. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22 (6), 881-900. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/22.6.881

Mealtime Behaviour and Parent-Child Interaction: A Comparison of Children with Cystic Fibrosis, Children with Feeding Problems, and Nonclinic Controls

1996

Book Chapter

Paediatric psychology and the treatment of childhood disorders

Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Markie- Dadds, Carol (1996). Paediatric psychology and the treatment of childhood disorders. (pp. 287-314) edited by Paul R. Martin and Jay S. Birnbrauer. South Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Macmillan Education.

Paediatric psychology and the treatment of childhood disorders

1996

Conference Publication

The eating behaviour, attitude and nutrition knowledge of mothers of children with persistent feeding difficulties

Wall, C.R., Sanders, M.R. and Turner, K.M.T. (1996). The eating behaviour, attitude and nutrition knowledge of mothers of children with persistent feeding difficulties. 31st Annual Conference of the Nutrition-Society-of-New-Zealand, Dunedin New Zealand, August 1996. Palmerston North, New Zealand: The Nutrition Society of New Zealand.

The eating behaviour, attitude and nutrition knowledge of mothers of children with persistent feeding difficulties

1994

Journal Article

Behavioural parent training versus dietary education in the treatment of children with persistent feeding difficulties

Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Wall, Claire R. (1994). Behavioural parent training versus dietary education in the treatment of children with persistent feeding difficulties. Behaviour Change, 11 (4), 242-258. doi: 10.1017/S0813483900004514

Behavioural parent training versus dietary education in the treatment of children with persistent feeding difficulties

Funding

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Deadly start: enabling preschoolers' literacy, numeracy and wellbeing (ARC Discovery Project administered by the Australian Catholic University)
    Australian Catholic University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Positive Parenting Collaborative Project
    Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Life Skills Triple P Feasibility Trial
    Sydney Local Health District
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    A collaborative partnership approach to providing parenting support in remote indigenous communities
    Australian Catholic University
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    Evaluating an Online Parenting Support System Disseminated by Paediatric Practices (NIH grant administered by the Oregon Research Institute)
    Oregon Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Developing and beta testing the Positive Parenting Program in a social-network community in Los Angeles County (Administered by California State University, Northridge)
    California State University, Northridge
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Enhancing the public health approach to evidence-based parenting support: Efficacy of a low intensity online intervention
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Exploring Optimal Training Processes for Indigenous Child Protection Sector Professionals
    Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Assessing the effectiveness, acceptability and sustainability of a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention for Indigenous parents
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2013
    Effects of a technology enhanced parenting intervention for young children with early onset conduct problems
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Group Triple P - Positive Parenting Program for Indigenous Families in Community and Health Settings in Far North Queensland: A Pilot. [NHMRC Mental Health Services Evaluation Research Grant]
    NHMRC - Strategic Funds
    Open grant

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

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Karen Turner directly for media enquiries about:

  • Child behaviour
  • Parenting
  • Parenting programs
  • Triple P

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au