Lynn Ward

Research Interests

Developmental Psychology and Ageing Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Ageing, Frailty and Mobility

Dr Lynn Ward

School of Psychology

College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences

Dr Lynn WardVisiting Research Fellow, School of PsychologyI am interested in factors that influence psychological aspects of adult development and ageing. I have used both qualitative and quantitative methods to study cognitive and psychosocial development in midlife and older adults. Specific interests include:- Age-related changes in cognitive functioning, both normal and dementia related;- The impact of lifestyle choices and health habits on cognitive functioning and psychosocial well-being in older adults;- Resilience, emotional functioning in caregivers and in parents;- Resilience and successful ageing;- Cross-cultural issues in ageing.

I am interested in factors that influence adult development and ageing. I have used both qualitative and quantitative methods to study psychosocial development in midlife and older adults. Specific interests include:

  • Age-related changes in cognitive functioning, both normal and dementia related;
  • The impact of lifestyle choices and health habits on cognitive functioning and psychosocial well-being in older adults;
  • Resilience, emotional functioning in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Resilience and successful ageing;
  • Cross-cultural issues in ageing.

Year Citation
2026 Kuring, J. K., Mathias, J. L., Ward, L., & Tachas, G. (2026). Inflammatory markers associated with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 197, 26-40.
DOI
2023 Kuring, J. K., Mathias, J. L., Ward, L., & Tachas, G. (2023). Inflammatory markers in persons with clinically-significant depression, anxiety or PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 168, 279-292.
DOI Scopus23 WoS23 Europe PMC23
2022 Herreen, D., Rice, S., Ward, L., & Zajac, I. (2022). Extending the Male Depression Risk Scale for use with older men: the effect of age on factor structure and associations with psychological distress and history of depression. Aging and Mental Health, 26(8), 1524-1532.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC2
2021 Fuss, B. G., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2021). Social function and psychological wellbeing among older Australian users of computer-mediated communication: does social distancing impact use?. Behaviour & Information Technology, 14(14), 1-12.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2021 Fuss, B., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2021). Belonging in the Online World: Older Adults' Use of Internet for Community. Journal of Social Inclusion, 12(2), 2-29.
DOI Scopus4
2021 Young, C., Roberts, R., & Ward, L. (2021). Enhancing resilience in the transition to parenthood: a thematic analysis of parents' perspectives.. J Reprod Infant Psychol, 39(4), 358-370.
DOI Scopus14 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2020 Morante, B., Ward, L., & Winefield, H. (2020). "It's Not How Old You Are, It's How You Are Old": Australian Clinical Psychologists' Experiences of Working With Older Adults. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(3), 247-256.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6
2020 Young, C., Roberts, R., & Ward, L. (2020). Hindering resilience in the transition to parenthood: a thematic analysis of parents' perspectives.. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, 40(1), 1-14.
DOI Scopus17 WoS17 Europe PMC7
2020 Kuring, J. K., Mathias, J. L., & Ward, L. (2020). Risk of Dementia in persons who have previously experienced clinically-significant Depression, Anxiety, or PTSD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274, 247-261.
DOI Scopus101 WoS91 Europe PMC82
2020 Wallace, E. J., Mathias, J. L., Ward, L., Pannek, K., Fripp, J., & Rose, S. (2020). Chronic white matter changes detected using diffusion tensor imaging following adult traumatic brain injury and their relationship to cognition. Neuropsychology, 34(8), 881-893.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC7
2020 Wallace, E. J., Mathias, J. L., Ward, L., Fripp, J., Rose, S., & Pannek, K. (2020). A fixel-based analysis of micro- and macro-structural changes to white matter following adult traumatic brain injury. Human Brain Mapping, 41(8), 2187-2197.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC14
2019 Young, C., Roberts, R., & Ward, L. (2019). Application of resilience theories in the transition to parenthood: a scoping review. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 37(2), 139-160.
DOI Scopus44 WoS42 Europe PMC23
2019 Fuss, B. G., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2019). Computer-mediated communication and social support among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review of cross-sectional data. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 38(4), 103-113.
DOI Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC10
2018 Kuring, J., Mathias, J., & Ward, L. (2018). Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and PTSD in People with Dementia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neuropsychology Review, 28(4), 393-416.
DOI Scopus132 WoS112 Europe PMC94
2018 Ma, M., Dorstyn, D., Ward, L., & Prentice, S. (2018). Alzheimers’ disease and caregiving: a meta-analytic review comparing the mental health of primary carers to controls. Aging and Mental Health, 22(11), 1-11.
DOI Scopus96 WoS93 Europe PMC73
2018 Wallace, E., Mathias, J., & Ward, L. (2018). Diffusion tensor imaging changes following mild, moderate and severe adult traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 12(6), 1607-1621.
DOI Scopus115 WoS99 Europe PMC97
2018 Wallace, E., Mathias, J., & Ward, L. (2018). The relationship between diffusion tensor imaging findings and cognitive outcomes following adult traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 92, 93-103.
DOI Scopus74 WoS66 Europe PMC64
2017 Nilova, V., Ward, L., & Hall, P. (2017). Women's experiences of parenting toddlers following postnatal depression. Australian Journal of Psychology, 69(3), 192-199.
DOI Scopus4 WoS2
2016 Burns, K., Burns, N., & Ward, L. (2016). Confidence - more a personality or ability trait? It depends on how it is measured: a comparison of young and older adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(APR), 518-1-518-14.
DOI Scopus55 WoS49 Europe PMC21
2016 Leone, E., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2016). Defining resilience in families living with neurodevelopmental disorder: a preliminary examination of Walsh’s framework. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 28(4), 595-608.
DOI Scopus31 WoS30
2015 Vincent, N., Ward, L., & Denson, L. (2015). Promoting post-conventional consciousness in leaders: Australian community leadership programs. Leadership Quarterly, 26(2), 238-253.
DOI Scopus26 WoS19
2015 Bastian, P. D., Adeleen, E., Denson, L. A., & Ward, L. (2015). Consent, capacity and the right to say no. Medical Journal of Australia, 202(8), i-ii.
DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
2015 Vincent, N., Denson, L., & Ward, L. (2015). Triggers, timing and type: exploring developmental readiness and the experience of consciousness transformation in graduates of Australian community leadership programs. Journal of Adult Development, 22(4), 183-205.
DOI Scopus5 WoS2
2015 Whitehead, K., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2015). Psychological adjustment in families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 27(5), 703-717.
DOI Scopus34 WoS32
2015 Whitehead, K., Dorstyn, D., & Ward, L. (2015). Erratum to: Psychological Adjustment in Families Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (J Dev Phys Disabil, 10.1007/s10882-015-9446-0). Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 27(5), 719.
DOI
2013 Vincent, N., Ward, L., & Denson, L. (2013). Personality preferences and their relationship to ego development in Australian leadership program participants. Journal of Adult Development, 20(4), 197-211.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12
2013 Beer, M., Ward, L., & Moar, K. (2013). The relationship between mindful parenting and distress in parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder. Mindfulness, 4(2), 102-112.
DOI Scopus120 WoS117
2012 Hunter, C., Ward, L., & Camp, C. (2012). Transitioning spaced retrieval training to care staff in an Australian residential aged care setting for older adults with dementia: a case study approach. Clinical Gerontologist, 35(1), 1-14.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6
2011 Warwick, J., Nettelbeck, T., & Ward, L. (2011). A response to Antonakis and Dietz: Looking for validity or testing it?. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(3), 416-417.
DOI Scopus1
2011 Soosai, J., Ward, L., & Ziaian, T. (2011). Comparing definitions of successful ageing: the case of Anglo- and Chinese- Australians. E-Journal of Applied Psychology, 7(1), 15-21.
DOI
2011 Bastian, P. D., Denson, L. A., & Ward, L. (2011). Assessment of patients' decision-making capacity: A response to a paper by Professor Dārzinņš. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(5), 392-393.
DOI Scopus6 WoS3
2010 Warwick, J., Nettelbeck, T., & Ward, L. (2010). Erratum to AEIM: A new measure and method of scoring abilities-based emotional intelligence [Personality and Individual Differences 48, 1, (2010), 66-71. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(2), 152.
DOI Scopus2
2010 Soosai, J., Ward, L., & Ziaian, T. (2010). Experiences of Chinese immigrants and Anglo-Australians ageing in Australia: A cross-cultural perspective on successful ageing. Journal of Health Psychology, 15(5 Sp Iss), 697-706.
DOI Scopus34 WoS27 Europe PMC16
2010 Warwick, J., Nettelbeck, T., & Ward, L. (2010). AEIM: A new measure and method of scoring abilities-based emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(1), 66-71.
DOI Scopus19 WoS16
2009 Collins, J., Winefield, H., Ward, L., & Turnbull, D. (2009). Understanding help seeking for mental health in rural South Australia: thematic analytical study. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 15(2), 159-165.
DOI Scopus23 WoS21
2009 Crisp, G., Palmer, E., Turnbull, D., Nettelbeck, T., Ward, L., Le Couteur, A., . . . Schneider, L. (2009). First year student expectations: Results from a university-wide student survey. Journal of University of Teaching & Learning Practice, 6(1), 1-18.
WoS56
2008 McCann Mortimer, P., Ward, L., & Winefield, H. (2008). Successful ageing by whose definition? Views of older, spiritually affiliated women. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 27(4), 200-204.
DOI Scopus57 WoS47 Europe PMC28
2008 Ward, L., & Mathias, J. (2008). Changes in cognitive functioning following bereavement. Gerontology, 54(2), 129.
DOI
2007 Ward, L., Mathias, J., & Hitchings, S. (2007). Relationships between bereavement and cognitive functioning in older adults. Gerontology, 53(6), 362-372.
DOI Scopus54 WoS49 Europe PMC37
2006 Tan, J., Ward, L., & Ziaian, T. (2006). Future care experiences and preferences of Chinese and Anglo-Australians in relation to filial piety and acculturation. Australian journal of psychology, 58, 196.
2005 Ward, L., & Collins, J. (2005). Vulnerability to victimisation in early adolescents: predictors and protective effects of peer relationships. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY, 57, 173.
2003 Warwick, J., Nettelbeck, T., & Ward, L. (2003). Emotional Intelligence: A validation study. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY, 55, 220.
2003 Gething, L., Gridley, H., Browning, C., Helmes, E., Luszcz, M., Turner, J., . . . Wells, Y. (2003). The role of psychologists in fostering the wellbeing of older Australians. Australian Psychologist, 38(1), 1-10.
DOI Scopus13 WoS14
2002 Bryan, J., & Ward, L. (2002). Smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise and cognitive performance among older adults. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 21(2), 67-73.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2002 Bryan, J., & Ward, L. (2002). Health habits and cognitive performance among older adults. Australasian journal on ageing, 19(1), 60.
1995 Brebner, J., Donaldson, J., Kirby, N., & Ward, L. (1995). Relationships between happiness and personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 19(2), 251-258.
DOI Scopus84 WoS72
1995 Tsourtos, G., Rawson, V., Ward, L., & Stough, C. (1995). Inspection time as a measure of information processing speed in psychiatric disorders. Asian Journal of Psychology, 1, 76-78.
1986 Ward, L. C. (1986). MMPI Item Subtlety Research: Current Issues and Directions. Journal of Personality Assessment, 50(1), 73-79.
DOI Scopus7 Europe PMC4
1983 Ward, L. C., Ward, J. W., & Moore, C. W. (1983). Prediction of Wiggins Content Scale Scores from 168- and 399-item Abbreviations of the MMPI. Journal of Personality Assessment, 47(4), 359-363.
DOI Scopus1

Year Citation
2013 Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R. J., Seifert, K., Smith, R. B., Hine, A., Ward, L., . . . Swabey, K. (2013). Lifespan Development: a chronological approach (2 ed.). Wiley.
2012 Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R., Seifert, K., Smith, R., Hine, A., Ward, L., . . . Swabey, K. (2012). Lifespan development: a topical approach. Wiley.

Year Citation
2016 Young, C., Roberts, R., & Ward, L. (2016). Mapping perinatal research: A scoping review of resilience theory in the transition to parenthood.. In Archive of Women's Mental Health. Melbourne.
2002 Greenwood, T. E., Burns, N. R., & Ward, L. (2002). Speed of processing on an auditory comprehension task is impaired after sustained computer game play. In AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY Vol. 54 (pp. 53). AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SOC.

Year Citation
2016 Young, C., Roberts, R., & Ward, L. (2016). Mapping perinatal research: A scoping review of resilience theory in the transition to parenthood (Poster).. Poster session presented at the meeting of Frontiers in perinatal mental health - Looking to the future.. Melbourne.
DOI
2008 Collins, J., Winefield, H., Ward, L., & Turnbull, D. (2008). Barriers to seeking help for mental health problems in rural Australia. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 29th International Congress of Psychology, as published in International Journal of Psychology. Berlin, Germany: Wiley.
DOI WoS1
  • Barbara Kidman Fellowship 2014 (University of Adelaide)
  • Luszcz, M., Anstey, K., Cobiac, L., Walker, R, Miller, M., Giles, L., Ward, L. & Hayles, C. (2008-12) ARC. How individual and societal resources contribute to ageing well through the fourth age: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Australian Research Council. 

My area of expertise is Developmental Psychology, predominantly adult development and ageing.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Externalising and Prototypic Depressive Symptomology in Older Men: Implications for Depression Screening in Men Across the Lifespan Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Ms Danielle Alyce Herreen
2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Belonging to the World Online: Older Adults’ Use of Computer-Mediated Communication for Social Wellbeing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Belinda Grace Fuss
2015 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Resilience in the Transition to Parenthood Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Cecily Young
2015 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Changes to White Matter and Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Erica Jane Wallace
2011 - 2021 Co-Supervisor A Qualitative Investigation of the Impact of Migration and Culture on the Social and Emotional Well-being of First Generation Greek Immigrants Ageing in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Panagiota Grypma
2009 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Cognitive Functioning in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Susan Jayne Cockshell
2008 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Evolving consciousness in leaders: Promoting late-stage conventional and post-conventional development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Nicola Caroline Vincent
2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Seeking help for mental health issues in rural South Australia: A mixed methods approach Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Joanne Collins
2004 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Successful Ageing: By Whose Definition? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Patricia Mary McCann Mortimer
2004 - 2014 Principal Supervisor A Cross-cultural Perspective on Ageing Well in Australia: A Mixed Methods Approach to Successful Ageing and Filial Piety among Anglo-Australians and Chinese Immigrants Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Joanne Siu Chern Tan Soosai
2002 - 2006 Co-Supervisor Emotional Intelligence: A Psychometric Study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Janette Warwick
1998 - 2003 Co-Supervisor Resident and Resident-Related Committees and Meetings in South Australian Aged Care Hostels Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Leah Wilson

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