Research Interests
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology Mental Health Pain Psychological Methodology, Design and Analysis Psychology Psychology and Cognitive Sciences Psychology of Religion Religion and Society Social Psychology Speciation and Extinction Statistics Studies in Religious Traditions Time-Series Analysis Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Translational Health OutcomesMiss Anastasia Ejova
Lecturer
School of Psychology
College of Education, Behavioural and Social Science
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
My research interests are in three topic areas within health, social and cognitive psychology: functional somatic syndromes, gambling disorder, and the cognitive science of religion. With respect to somatic syndromes, I am investigating how neurophysiological recording tools (most notably, EEG and electrogastrography) might be used in studying immediate reactions to physical and psychological stress among people with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Within the gambling field, I have been involved in projects on decision-making, impulsivity, online gambling, and the boundary between gambling and video-gaming. I also seek to apply what I'm learning through my research on decision-making and religion to developing a body of research on the extent to which concepts of luck are the same across cultures, borrowing from concepts of "randomness" on the one hand and concepts of "higher powers" on the other. Functional somatic syndromes are often comorbid with anxiety, so my experience in studying them provides me with the tools for investigating which forms of gambling are particularly likely to be pursued for their ability to (temporarily) ease anxiety.
I have ongoing collaborations with research teams at Macquarie University, the University of Auckland, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | McKerchar, S., Mire, E. L., Badcock, N., Jones, M., Swift, C., De Wit, B., & Ejova, A. (2025). No Evidence for Unconscious Attentional Bias in People With Clinically Significant Symptoms of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Study Using the Emerging Electroencephalographic Paradigm of Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation.. Neurogastroenterology and motility, 37(12), e70099. |
| 2025 | van Antwerpen, N., Fielding, V., Ross, A., Searston, R. A., Kovacevic, P., Ejova, A., . . . Morgan, A. (2025). Testing Constructive Journalism’s Effects on Stigma, Trust, and Engagement. Journalism Studies, 26(13), 1-22. |
| 2025 | Hannemann, E. A. W., & Ejova, A. (2025). Cumulative stressful life events and Australian women’s depressive symptom trajectories: a longitudinal study of potential non-additive effects. Anxiety Stress and Coping, 16 pages. |
| 2025 | Myles, A. B., Jones, M. P., Beath, A. P., Loxton, D., & Ejova, A. (2025). Young women’s somatic symptoms are more strongly predicted by psychosocial rather than physiological factors: longitudinal findings in a population-representative Australian sample. Psychology and Health, 26 pages. |
| 2025 | Ejova, A., Sheehan, O., Bouckaert, R., Greenhill, S. J., Krátký, J., Kotherová, S., . . . Gray, R. D. (2025). Three evolutionary radiations shaped the evolution of global religious diversity. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 7, 14 pages. |
| 2025 | Arcangeli, O. J., & Ejova, A. (2025). Does Time Heal All Wounds? Life Satisfaction Trajectories in Australian Middle-Aged Women Before and After Relationship Dissolution. Journal of Happiness Studies, 26(3), 1-36. |
| 2024 | Whitson, K. C., Callaghan, P., Thorpe, D., & Ejova, A. (2024). Three profiles of Australian climate change activism have both unique and overlapping motivators and barriers. Communications Earth and Environment, 5(1), 9 pages. |
| 2024 | Mazor, Y., Leach, M. M., Jones, M., Ejova, A., Fisher, C., Joffe, D., . . . Malcolm, A. (2024). Prospective Evaluation of Autonomic Function and Intestinal Blood Flow in Health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Shows Differences Limited to Patients With Constipation Predominance. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 37(2), 11 pages. Scopus1 |
| 2024 | Ejova, A., Van Antwerpen, N. R., Semmler, C., Bean, C. G., & Green, D. M. (2024). Non‐negligible levels of implicit skin tone bias among Australian healthcare workers between 2007 and 2022: Analysis of subgroups and trends over time based on <i>Project Implicit</i> data. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 27(3), 360-375. |
| 2024 | Kotherová, S., Cigán, J., Štěpánková, L., Vyskočilová, M., Littnerová, S., Ejova, A., & Sepši, M. (2024). Adverse Effects of Meditation: Autonomic Nervous System Activation and Individual Nauseous Responses During Samadhi Meditation in the Czech Republic. Journal of Religion and Health, 63(6), 4840-4860. |
| 2024 | Trieu, R. Q., Mazor, Y., Verdon, C., Jones, M., Ejova, A., Burton, G., . . . Malcolm, A. (2024). Management after obstetric anal sphincter injury: anorectal manometry and symptoms predict long-term fecal incontinence.. The American journal of gastroenterology, 120(4), 864-872. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC2 |
| 2023 | Myles, A., Jones, M., Loxton, D., Beath, A., & Ejova, A. (2023). Young Women’s Somatic Symptoms are More Strongly Predicted by Psychosocial Rather Than Physiological Factors: Longitudinal Findings in a Population-Representative Australian Sample. |
| 2023 | Mazor, Y., Schnitzler, M., Jones, M., Ejova, A., & Malcolm, A. (2023). The patient with obstructed defecatory symptoms: Management differs considerably between physicians and surgeons.. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 35(8), 9 pages. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC2 |
| 2023 | Ejova, A., Jones, M. P., Beath, A. P., McKerchar, S. L., & Okifuji, A. (2023). Moment-to-moment relationships between pain, fatigue, and distress as a function of GI symptoms in fibromyalgia.. J Psychosom Res, 170, 4 pages. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2021 | Mazor, Y., Trieu, R. Q., Prott, G., Jones, M., Ejova, A., Kellow, J., & Malcolm, A. (2021). Volumetric Rectal Perception Testing: Is It Clinically Relevant? Results from a Large Patient Cohort. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 116(12), 2419-2429. Scopus14 Europe PMC9 |
| 2021 | Ejova, A., Badcock, N. A., McKerchar, S., Beath, A. P., Swift, C., Talley, N. J., . . . Jones, M. P. (2021). Electroencephalographic evidence of unconscious and conscious attentional bias in people with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A pilot study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 170, 30-42. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2021 | Mazor, Y., Prott, G., Jones, M., Ejova, A., Kellow, J., & Malcom, A. (2021). Factors Associated With Response to Anorectal Biofeedback Therapy in Patients With Fecal Incontinence. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 19(3), 492-502. Scopus15 WoS11 Europe PMC12 |
| 2021 | Ejova, A., Badcock, N. A., McKerchar, S., Beath, A. P., Swift, C., Talley, N. J., . . . Jones, M. (2021). Electroencephalographic evidence of unconscious and conscious attentional bias in people with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A pilot study. |
| 2021 | Ejova, A., Krátký, J., Kundtová Klocová, E., Kundt, R., Cigán, J., Kotherová, S., . . . Gray, R. D. (2021). The awe-prosociality relationship: evidence for the role of context. Religion, Brain and Behavior, 11(3), 294-311. Scopus11 WoS12 |
| 2021 | Linhartová, P., Širůček, J., Ejova, A., Barteček, R., Theiner, P., & Kašpárek, T. (2021). Dimensions of Impulsivity in Healthy People, Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, and Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(4), 584-595. Scopus14 WoS9 Europe PMC9 |
| 2020 | Ejova, A., & Ohtsuka, K. (2020). Erroneous gambling-related beliefs emerge from broader beliefs during problem-solving: a critical review and classification scheme. Thinking and Reasoning, 26(2), 159-187. Scopus20 WoS20 |
| 2020 | Mazor, Y., Prott, G. M., Sequeira, C., Jones, M., Ejova, A., Kellow, J. E., . . . Malcolm, A. (2020). A novel combined anorectal biofeedback and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation protocol for treating fecal incontinence. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, 13, 1-10. Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2020 | Ejova, A., Milojev, P., Worthington, E. L., Sibley, C. G., & Bulbulia, J. (2020). Church attendance buffers against longer-term mental distress. Religion, Brain and Behavior, 11(2), 123-138. Scopus5 WoS4 |
| 2020 | Sibley, C. G., Usman Afzali, M., Satherley, N., Ejova, A., Stronge, S., Yogeeswaran, K., . . . Bulbulia, J. (2020). Prejudice toward Muslims in New Zealand: Insights from the New Zealand attitudes and values study. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 49(1), 48-72. Scopus14 WoS16 |
| 2020 | Ejova, A., Milojev, P., Worthington, E. L., Bulbulia, J., & Sibley, C. G. (2020). The Big Six Personality Traits and Mental Distress: Dynamic Modeling in a Population Panel Study Reveals Bidirectional Relationships Involving Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(9), 1287-1302. Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC1 |
| 2020 | Linhartová, P., Látalová, A., Barteček, R., ŠirÅček, J., Theiner, P., Ejova, A., . . . Kašpárek, T. (2020). Impulsivity in patients with borderline personality disorder: A comprehensive profile compared with healthy people and patients with ADHD. Psychological Medicine, 50(11), 1829-1838. Scopus38 WoS30 Europe PMC24 |
| 2019 | Mazor, Y., Prott, G., Jones, M., Kellow, J., Ejova, A., & Malcolm, A. (2019). Anorectal physiology in health: A randomized trial to determine the optimum catheter for the balloon expulsion test. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 31(4), e13552. Scopus44 WoS45 Europe PMC42 |
| 2019 | Stronge, S., Mok, T., Ejova, A., Lee, C., Zubielevitch, E., Yogeeswaran, K., . . . Sibley, C. G. (2019). Social media use is (Weakly) related to psychological distress. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(9), 604-609. Scopus20 WoS16 Europe PMC11 |
| 2018 | Mazor, Y., Ejova, A., Andrews, A., Jones, M., Kellow, J., & Malcolm, A. (2018). Long-term outcome of anorectal biofeedback for treatment of fecal incontinence. Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 30(8), e13389. Scopus18 WoS14 Europe PMC15 |
| 2017 | Almenara, C. A., Aimé, A., Maïano, C., Ejova, A., Guèvremont, G., Bournival, C., & Ricard, M. M. (2017). Weight stigmatization and disordered eating in obese women: The mediating effects of self-esteem and fear of negative appearance evaluation. Revue Europeene de Psychologie Appliquee, 67(3), 155-162. Scopus26 WoS27 |
| 2016 | Roberts, R. M., Ejova, A., Giallo, R., Strohm, K., & Lillie, M. E. (2016). Support group programme for siblings of children with special needs: predictors of improved emotional and behavioural functioning. Disability and Rehabilitation, 38(21), 2063-2072. Scopus17 WoS14 Europe PMC7 |
| 2015 | Roberts, R., Ejova, A., Giallo, R., Strohm, K., Lillie, M., & Fuss, B. (2015). A controlled trial of the SibworkS group program for siblings of children with special needs. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 43-44, 21-31. Scopus28 WoS26 Europe PMC14 |
| 2015 | Ejova, A., Delfabbro, P., & Navarro, D. (2015). Erroneous gambling-related beliefs as illusions of primary and secondary control: a confirmatory factor analysis. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31(1), 133-160. Scopus29 WoS23 Europe PMC8 |
| 2014 | Ejova, A. (2014). Awe: A direct pathway from extravagant displays to prosociality. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 39, 28-29. |
| 2013 | Ejova, A., Navarro, D., & Delfabbro, P. (2013). Success-slope effects on the illusion of control and on remembered success-frequency. Judgment and Decision Making, 8(4), 498-511. Scopus14 WoS11 |
| 2012 | King, D., Ejova, A., & Delfabbro, P. (2012). Illusory control, gambling, and video gaming: an investigation of regular gamblers and video game players. Journal of Gambling Studies (Online), 28(3), 421-435. Scopus42 WoS39 Europe PMC15 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Van Antwerpen, N., Green, D., Baranoff, J., El-Kaissi, S., & Ejova, A. (2025). Using formative feedback to scaffold and manage student wellbeing in an accelerated online research course. In S. Elkington, & A. Irons (Eds.), Formative Assessment and Feedback in Post-Digital Learning Environments: Disciplinary Case Studies in Higher Education (pp. 50-58). Routledge. DOI |
| 2023 | Ejova, A., Searston, R., Stephens, R., & Semmler, C. (2023). Clear thinking in deep space: A guide by cognitive scientists. In M. de Zwart, S. Henderson, J. Culton, D. Turnbull, & A. Srivastava (Eds.), Human Uses of Outer Space: Return to the Moon (pp. 31-47). Springer Singapore. DOI |
| 2019 | Ejova, A. (2019). The illusion of control. In I. M. Church, & R. J. Hartman (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy and Psychology of Luck (1 ed., pp. 365-376). New York, USA: Routledge. DOI Scopus2 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Gökaydin, D., & Ejova, A. (2017). Sequential effects in prediction. In CogSci 2017 - Proceedings of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society: Computational Foundations of Cognition (pp. 397-402). London, UK: Cognitive Science Society. Scopus3 |
| 2011 | Gerstenberg, T., Ejova, A., & Lagnado, D. A. (2011). Blame the Skilled. In Expanding the Space of Cognitive Science Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society Cogsci 2011 (pp. 720-725). Scopus11 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | McKerchar, S., Le Mire, E., Badcock, N. A., Jones, M., Swift, C., de Wit, B., & Ejova, A. (2024). No evidence for unconscious attentional bias in people with clinically significant symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders: A study using the emerging electroencephalographic paradigm of fast periodic visual stimulation. DOI |
School of Psychology research grant
Chief investigator
Amount: $8,000; Period: September-December 2020
Demonstrating the functions of awe in religious systems: empirical and computational approaches
Chief investigator
Recipient: Laboratory for Experimental Research of Religion (LEVYNA)
Funder: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
Amount: €80,000; Period: January 2015 - January 2016
Impulsivity phenotypes and their clinical impact in neuropsychiatric disorders
Associate investigator
Recipients: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University; Central European Institute of Technology
Funder: Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic
Amount: €200,000; Period: May 2015 - May 2019
Over the years, I have taught into undergraduate courses in:
- statistics
- reviewing and meta-analysis
- perception and cognition
- social psychology, and
- health psychology
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Neck pain epidemiology and risk factors in the Australian population | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Nasibeh Sorkhi Kojabad |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Neck pain epidemiology and risk factors in the Australian population | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Nasibeh Sorkhi Kojabad |
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | Exploring longitudinal bidirectional relationships between psychosocial factors and somatic symptoms in a population-representative sample of Australian women across multiple decades | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Amy Beth Myles |
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | Exploring longitudinal bidirectional relationships between psychosocial factors and somatic symptoms in a population-representative sample of Australian women across multiple decades | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Amy Beth Myles |
Connect With Me
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