Overview
Background
Dr Amanda Salmon is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland. Her current work investigates how ageing, identity, emotional and motivational processes intersect with physical and social health, including roles in volunteerism and lived-experience supports for older adults.
Drawing on frameworks such as socioemotional selectivity theory, generativity, and stereotype embodiment theory, Dr Salmon explores two inter-linked domains:
-
How older adults engage in prosocial behaviour (for example, older blood donors)
-
The role of assistance animals in supporting wellbeing, independence and social inclusion for older adults and people with disabilities
Her broader research interests include:
-
Psychology of ageing and life-span development
-
Motivation, identity and wellbeing in later life
-
Volunteerism, community contribution and older adult donors
-
Assistance animal ownership, animal-human dyads, and aging-friendly housing/policy
She collaborates with organisations including Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and partners in aged-care, disability and animal-welfare sectors. Dr Salmon is passionate about translating psychological science into evidence-based policy and practice, supporting healthier, more connected ageing.
Keywords: ageing, older adults, motivation, identity, wellbeing, prosocial behaviour, blood donation, assistance animals, human-animal interaction, gerontology
Availability
- Dr Amanda Salmon is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Psychology - Hons Class 1A, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Psychology, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Psychology (Clinical), The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- Member, Australian Psychological Society, Australian Psychological Society
Research impacts
Research impact
Dr Amanda Salmon’s research is advancing understanding of how psychological and social factors shape wellbeing, purpose, and participation in later life. Her work has informed strategies that help older adults remain engaged, valued, and connected through meaningful roles — from donating blood to maintaining bonds with assistance animals.
Through her collaboration with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Dr Salmon’s findings have directly contributed to improving communication and engagement strategies for older donors, a group vital to the national blood supply. Insights from her studies are helping design age-inclusive donation messaging and policies that recognise older adults’ motivations and reduce unintentional age bias.
Her research on assistance animals and ageing provides evidence to guide housing, policy, and welfare initiatives that promote independence and quality of life for older Australians and people with disabilities. These projects have informed conversations within aged-care and animal-welfare sectors about supporting human-animal partnerships and reducing barriers to pet ownership.
Dr Salmon’s work contributes to a broader cultural shift toward viewing ageing as a period of growth, contribution, and vitality — strengthening public health, community inclusion, and intergenerational understanding.
Works
Search Professor Amanda Salmon’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Older donors are part of the solution to a sustainable blood supply
Hyde, Melissa K., Masser, Barbara M., Thorpe, Rachel, Philip, Aaron Akpu, Salmon, Amanda, Scott, Theresa L. and Davison, Tanya E. (2025). Older donors are part of the solution to a sustainable blood supply. Transfusion, 65 (10), 1998-2000. doi: 10.1111/trf.18373
2025
Journal Article
Rethinking the role of older donors in a sustainable blood supply
Hyde, Melissa K., Masser, Barbara M., Thorpe, Rachel, Philip, Aaron Akpu, Salmon, Amanda, Scott, Theresa L. and Davison, Tanya E. (2025). Rethinking the role of older donors in a sustainable blood supply. Transfusion, 65 (4), 758-766. doi: 10.1111/trf.18190
2024
Journal Article
The mental health outcomes of driving cessation for older people: A systematic review
Liddle, Jacki, Scott, Theresa L., Hoyle, Melanie, Salmon, Amanda, Gustafsson, Louise and Pachana, Nancy A. (2024). The mental health outcomes of driving cessation for older people: A systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics 100020, 100020. doi: 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2024.100020
2024
Journal Article
Attitudes and arrangements: owner predictions of growing older with an assistance dog
Salmon, Amanda J., Harpur, Paul and Pachana, Nancy A. (2024). Attitudes and arrangements: owner predictions of growing older with an assistance dog. Disability and Society, 40 (5), 1127-1131. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2024.2373762
2024
Book Chapter
Role of assistance animals in disability
Howell, Tiffani J. and Salmon, Amanda (2024). Role of assistance animals in disability. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability. (pp. 1-8) Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-40858-8_74-1
2023
Other Outputs
Assistance dog ownership for older adults: exploring the benefits and barriers to acquisition, potential aged care policy reforms, and planning for the future
Salmon, Amanda (2023). Assistance dog ownership for older adults: exploring the benefits and barriers to acquisition, potential aged care policy reforms, and planning for the future. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/600a2e6
2023
Journal Article
Cultivating the acceptance of assistance dogs in aged care through deliberative democracy
Salmon, Amanda J. and Pachana, Nancy A. (2023). Cultivating the acceptance of assistance dogs in aged care through deliberative democracy. Animals, 13 (16) 2680, 2680. doi: 10.3390/ani13162680
2023
Journal Article
Still in first gear: exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support
Liddle, Jacki, Gustafsson, Louise, Scott, Theresa, Byrnes, Joshua, Salmon, Amanda and Pachana, Nancy A. (2023). Still in first gear: exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 42 (4), 796-800. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13218
2022
Journal Article
Issues regarding the welfare of assistance dogs
Salmon, Amanda, Driscoll, Carlie, Paterson, Mandy B. A., Harpur, Paul and Pachana, Nancy A. (2022). Issues regarding the welfare of assistance dogs. Animals, 12 (23) 3250, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/ani12233250
2022
Journal Article
A systematic review of the effect of assistance dog ownership on practical support, health, and wellbeing: implications for older adults
Salmon, Amanda J. and Pachana, Nancy A. (2022). A systematic review of the effect of assistance dog ownership on practical support, health, and wellbeing: implications for older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 46 (5), 1-26. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2100728
2020
Book Chapter
Animal-assisted interventions for promotion of mental health and wellbeing in older ddults
Salmon, Amanda and Pachana, Nancy A. (2020). Animal-assisted interventions for promotion of mental health and wellbeing in older ddults. Animal-assisted interventions for health and human service professionals. (pp. 339-359) edited by Carlie J. Driscoll. New York, NY United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Amanda Salmon is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Amanda Salmon directly for media enquiries about:
- animals in aged care
- Assistance animals
- Assistance dogs
- Geropsychology
- Older adult psychology
- Psychology animals
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: