
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
2015
Conference Publication
Dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs in diverse contexts: Embracing cultural complexity. Symposium with presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Panama and Africa
Turner, K. M. T., Weston, M., Mejia, A. and Haslam, D. (2015). Dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs in diverse contexts: Embracing cultural complexity. Symposium with presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Panama and Africa. 17th Helping Families Change Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 25-27 February 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Addressing targeted parenting challenges with a brief online parenting intervention
Baker, S., Turner, K. M. T. and Sanders, M. R. (2015). Addressing targeted parenting challenges with a brief online parenting intervention. 17th Helping Families Change Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 25-27 February 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
The application of positive parenting principles in early childhood education and care: A discussion of potential implementation considerations and opportunities (symposium uniting presenters from UK, Canada, USA and Australia)
Buttery, M., Lee, S., Rusby, J. and Turner, K. M. T. (2015). The application of positive parenting principles in early childhood education and care: A discussion of potential implementation considerations and opportunities (symposium uniting presenters from UK, Canada, USA and Australia). 17th Helping Families Change Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 25-27 February 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs in diverse contexts: Embracing cultural complexity (paper presenter and symposium chair uniting presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Panama and Africa)
Turner, K. M. T., Weston, M., Mejia, A. and Haslam, D. (2015). Dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs in diverse contexts: Embracing cultural complexity (paper presenter and symposium chair uniting presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Panama and Africa). 17th Helping Families Change Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 25-27 February 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Triple P Online: New findings, new programs (symposium chair uniting presenters from Australia and USA)
Turner, K. M. T., Day, J., Baker, S., Love, S. and Metzler, C. (2015). Triple P Online: New findings, new programs (symposium chair uniting presenters from Australia and USA). 17th Helping Families Change Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 25-27 February 2015.
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.
2015
Book
Triple P discussion group workbook: Being a positive parent
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2015). Triple P discussion group workbook: Being a positive parent. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
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
2014
Conference Publication
Consumer informed development of a brief online parenting intervention
Sanders, M. R., Baker, S. and Turner. K. M. T. (2014). Consumer informed development of a brief online parenting intervention. Society for Prevention Research 22nd Annual Meeting, Washington DC, United States, 27-30 May 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
Do Indigenous professionals have preferred training processes?
Turner. K. M. T. (2014). Do Indigenous professionals have preferred training processes?. 16th Helping Families Change Conference, Sydney, Australia, 19-21 February 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
A brief modular approach to Triple P as a web-based intervention
Baker, S., Turner. K. M. T. and Sanders, M. R. (2014). A brief modular approach to Triple P as a web-based intervention. 16th Helping Families Change Conference, Sydney, Australia, 19-21 February 2014.
2013
Conference Publication
Changing complex behaviours using digital technologies
Duval, A. and Turner, K. M. T. (2013). Changing complex behaviours using digital technologies. EduTech National Congress, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 3-5 June 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Supporting parents with Triple P Online (Invited clinical workshop)
Turner. K. M. T. (2013). Supporting parents with Triple P Online (Invited clinical workshop). 15th Helping Families Change Conference, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 13-15 February 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Triple P Online: Evaluation of Triple P as a web-based intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. (Invited address).
Turner. K. M. T. (2013). Triple P Online: Evaluation of Triple P as a web-based intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. (Invited address).. 15th Helping Families Change Conference, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 13-15 February 2013.
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
Book
Positive parenting
Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C. and Turner, K. M. T. (2013). Positive parenting. 2nd ed. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Families 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:
2013
Book
Practitioner’s manual for Standard Triple P
Sanders, Matthew R., Markie-Dadds, Carol and Turner, Karen M. T. (2013). Practitioner’s manual for Standard Triple P. 2nd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International.
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Turner is:
- Available for supervision
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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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