Phil Kavanagh

Dr Phil Kavanagh

School of Society and Culture

College of Education, Behavioural and Social Science

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

Associate Professor Phil Kavanagh BSc(Hons), PhD, PGDipClinPsych, MAPS, FCCLP, MACPA is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra, former Associate Professor of Evolutionary Psychology and Head of Psychology at ISN Psychology and former Principal ISN Research Fellow at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. His other previous experiences include being the Acting Associate Head of School: Research, Discipline Head: Psychology, and Program Director for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) program in the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy at the University of South Australia (UniSA). While at UniSA he lectured across both the undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs, provided research supervision to honours, master’s, and PhD students, and clinical supervision to students in the clinical program. He remains on as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at UniSA and is still actively involved in PhD supervision.

The overarching theme of my research is evolutionary psychology (EP) and the integration of EP in the domains personality, social, and clinical psychology. Previous research has included conducting experimental social psychology experiments testing sociometer theory (an EP theory of self-esteem). I have also been involved with research examining various associations between the Dark Triad of personality (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and attitudes and behaviours such as love styles, animal cruelty, and schadenfreude. My current interests are around life history theory (a behavioural ecology EP theory) and how this framework might help explain a number of human phenomena, such socially undesirable behaviours, psychopathology, and personality disorders.

Year Citation
2025 Dahlenburg, S., Gleaves, D., Kavanagh, P., & Hutchinson, A. (2025). Internalization of a Thin Ideal and Body Dissatisfaction in Lesbian and Heterosexual Women: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 12(3), 522-533.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2025 Ambrosi, C. C., Kavanagh, P. S., Evans, S., & Havighurst, S. S. (2025). Tuning in to kids together: piloting an emotion-focused coparenting program. Family Process, 64(1, article no. e70002), 1-17.
DOI
2025 Bode, A., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2025). Variation exists in the expression of romantic love: a cluster analytic study of young adults experiencing romantic love. Personality and Individual Differences, 239(113108), 1-9.
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2025 Bode, A., Luoto, S., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2025). Sex differences in romantic love: an evolutionary perspective. Biology of Sex Differences, 16(1, article no. 16), 1-20.
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2025 Calder, J., Kavanagh, P. S., Bacon, R., Chau, M., Sidhu, D., & Toohey, K. (2025). Effects of exercise dose on psychological health outcomes in people diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability And Rehabilitation, 47(14), 3516-3527.
DOI
2025 Bode, A., Kowal, M., Cannas Aghedu, F., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2025). SSRI use is not associated with the intensity of romantic love, obsessive thinking about a loved one, commitment, or sexual frequency in a sample of young adults experiencing romantic love. Journal of Affective Disorders, 375, 472-477.
DOI
2025 Ahmad, N., Kelty, S. F., Kavanagh, P. S., & Tran, T. (2025). Crossing the line: a critical systematic review of escalation crossover offending in online child sexual exploitation. Trauma Violence and Abuse, online, 1-15.
DOI
2025 Smithers, R., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2025). Qualitative investigation into the challenges and support needs of Baptist Pastors in Australia. Journal Of Religion & Health, online, 1-18.
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2024 Hanlon, L., Webb, S., Chonody, J., Price, D., & Kavanagh, P. (2024). Parental perspectives on principals' responses to homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying in Australian high schools: an exploratory study. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, online, 1-13.
DOI
2024 Ambrosi, C. C., Kavanagh, P. S., Evans, S., & Havighurst, S. S. (2024). Development and psychometric evaluation of a new domain-specific coparenting measure: coparenting children's emotion scale. Family Process, 63(4), 2581-2602.
DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC2
2024 Bode, A., Kowal, M., Aghedu, F. C., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2024). Romantic love and sexual frequency: challenging Beliefs. Journal Of Sex & Marital Therapy, 50(7), 894-905.
DOI
2023 Ambrosi, C. C., Evans, S., Kavanagh, P. S., & Havighurst, S. S. (2023). Parents on the same page: a mixed-methods investigation of the acceptability and appropriateness of tuning in to kids together. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32(12), 3714-3730.
DOI Scopus1
2023 Legge, H., Toohey, K., Kavanagh, P. S., & Paterson, C. (2023). Exploring experiences among people diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic: a qualitative descriptive study. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 39(6, article no. 151508), 1-8.
DOI
2023 Bode, A., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2023). Romantic love and behavioral activation system sensitivity to a loved one. Behavioral Sciences, 13(11, article no. 921), 1-18.
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2023 Paterson, C., Roberts, C., Blackburn, J., Jojo, N., Northam, H. L., Wallis, E., . . . Wilson, R. L. (2023). Understanding the needs and preferences for cancer care among First Nations people: an integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80(5), 1776-1812.
DOI Europe PMC3
2023 Paterson, C., Toohey, K., Bacon, R., Kavanagh, P. S., & Roberts, C. (2023). What are the unmet supportive care needs of people affected by cancer: an umbrella systematic review. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 39(3, article no. 151353), 1-14.
DOI WoS49 Europe PMC44
2023 Legge, H., Toohey, K., Kavanagh, P. S., & Paterson, C. (2023). The unmet supportive care needs of people affected by cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 17(4), 1036-1056.
DOI
2022 Ambrosi, C. C., Kavanagh, P. S., & Havighurst, S. S. (2022). The development of an adapted coparenting program: tuning in to kids together. International Journal of Systemic Therapy, 33(1), 1-22.
DOI
2022 Kahl, B. L., Kavanagh, P. S., & Gleaves, D. H. (2022). Extending a life history model of psychopathology: expectations and schemas as potential mechanisms. Evolutionary Psychological Science, 8(2), 158-173.
DOI
2022 Nicol, A., Mak, A. S., Murray, K., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2022). The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and the functions of self-injurious behaviour in youth. Clinical Psychologist, 26(3), 296-308.
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2022 Kavanagh, P. S., & Kahl, B. L. (2022). Commentary on Boysen and Isaacs (2022) and Boysen et al. (2022). Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, 16(3), 289-293.
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2022 Kahl, B. L., Kavanagh, P. S., & Gleaves, D. H. (2022). Testing a life history model of psychopathology: a replication and extension. Current Psychology, 41(9), 6233-6246.
DOI
2022 Nicol, A., Kavanagh, P. S., Murray, K., & Mak, A. S. (2022). Emotion regulation as a mediator between early maladaptive schemas and non-suicidal self-injury in youth. Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, 32(3), 161-170.
DOI
2021 Paparo, J., Beccaria, G., Canoy, D., Chur-Hansen, A., Conti, J. E., Correia, H., . . . Thielking, M. (2021). A New Reality: The Role of Simulated Learning Activities in Postgraduate Psychology Training Programs. Frontiers in Education, 6, 653269-1-653269-16.
DOI Scopus15 WoS15
2020 Webb, S. N., Kavanagh, P. S., & Chonody, J. M. (2020). Attitudes toward same-sex family rights: education facilitating progressive attitude change. Australian Journal of Psychology, 72(3), 293-303.
DOI
2020 Toohey, K., McKune, A., Nahon, I., Kavanagh, P. S., Newton, R. U., & Paterson, C. (2020). Improving physical and mental health in patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: strategies to promote and improve physical activity quality and quantity. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 36(4, article no.151051), 1-6.
DOI
2020 Logan, L., Toohey, K., Kavanagh, P. S., Paterson, C., & McKune, A. J. (2020). The Effect of Exercise on Body Composition and Physical Performance in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT): A Narrative Synthesis. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 36(5), 1-11.
DOI
2019 O, J., Kavanagh, P. S., Brune, M., & Esposito, G. (2019). Testing the unsolved problems hypothesis: the evolutionary life issues-mitigating function of nature exposure and its relationship with human well-being. Urban forestry and urban greening, 44(126396), 1-9.
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2018 Owen, M. S., Kavanagh, P. S., & Dollard, M. F. (2018). An integrated model of work-study conflict and work-study facilitation. Journal of career development, 45(5), 504-517.
DOI
2018 Webb, S. N., Chonody, J. M., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2018). Do we think children need a mom and dad?: Understanding how gender ideology impact attitudes toward same-gender parent family rights. Journal of homosexuality, 65(10), 1351-1371.
DOI
2018 Figueredo, A. J., Jacobs, W. J., Gladden, P. R., Bianchi, J., Patch, E. A., Kavanagh, P. S., . . . Li, N. P. (2018). Intimate partner violence, interpersonal aggression, and life history strategy. Evolutionary behavioral sciences, 12(1), 1-31.
DOI Scopus58
2018 Kavanagh, P. S., & Kahl, B. L. (2018). Are expectations the missing link between life history strategies and psychopathology?. Frontiers in psychology, 9(89), 1-7.
DOI
2017 Webb, S. N., Chonody, J., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2017). 'If you don't like gay marriage, don't get one!': A qualitative analysis of attitudes toward same-sex marriage in South Australia. Journal of GLBT family studies, 13(5), 439-458.
DOI
2017 McBain, R. M. J., Cropley, D. H., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2017). The Devil made me do it: press and personality in malevolent creativity. International journal of creativity and problem solving, 27(1), 21-44.
2017 Hurst, J., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2017). Life history strategies and psychopathology: the faster the life strategies, the more symptoms of psychopathology. Evolution and human behavior, 38(1), 1-8.
DOI
2017 Figueredo, A. J., Garcia, R. A., Menke, J. M., Jacobs, W. J., Gladden, P. R., Bianchi, J., . . . Li, N. (2017). The K-SF-42: a new short form of the Arizona Life History Battery. Evolutionary psychology, 15(1), 1-12.
DOI Scopus58 Europe PMC21
2017 Webb, S. N., Chonody, J. M., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2017). Attitudes toward same-sex parenting: an effect of gender. Journal of homosexuality, 64(11), 1583-1595.
DOI
2016 Chonody, J., Kavanagh, P., & Woodford, M. (2016). Does closeness to someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual influence etiology beliefs about homosexuality?. Journal of homosexuality, 63(12), 1726-1748.
DOI
2016 Fox, K., Kavanagh, P. S., & Fielder, A. L. (2016). A comparison of two neonatal withdrawal scales: A retrospective case note audit. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 22(6), 284-291.
DOI Scopus1
2015 Kavanagh, P. S. (2015). Psychology regulation, education, and representation in Australia. International Journal of Mental Health, 44(1), 4-10.
DOI
2014 Caruso, N., Radovanovic, B., Kennedy, J., Couper, J., Kohler, M., Kavanagh, P., . . . Lushington, K. (2014). Sleep, executive functioning and behaviour in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Sleep Medicine, 15(12), 1490-1499.
DOI Scopus51 WoS48 Europe PMC44
2014 Kavanagh, P. S., Fletcher, G. J., & Ellis, B. J. (2014). The mating sociometer and attractive others: a double-edged sword in romantic relationships. Journal of social psychology, 154(2), 126-141.
DOI WoS13
2014 James, S., Kavanagh, P. S., Jonason, P. K., Chonody, J. M., & Scrutton, H. E. (2014). The dark triad, schadenfreude, and sensational interests: dark personalities, dark emotions, and dark behaviors. Personality and individual differences, 68, 211-216.
DOI
2014 Kavanagh, P. S., & Payne, J. (2014). Education, safe drinking practices and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 50(9), 701-706.
DOI
2013 McKinlay, A., Albicini, M., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2013). The effect of cognitive status and visuospatial performance on affective theory of mind in Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 9, 1071-1076.
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2013 Kavanagh, P. S., Signal, T. D., & Taylor, N. (2013). The Dark Triad and animal cruelty: dark personalities, dark attitudes, and dark behaviors. Personality and individual differences, 55(6), 666-670.
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2011 Jonason, P. K., Kavanagh, P. S., Webster, G. D., & Fitzgerald, D. (2011). Comparing the measured and latent dark triad: are three measures better than one?. Journal of methods and measurement in the social sciences, 2(1), 28-44.
DOI
2010 Jonason, P. K., & Kavanagh, P. S. (2010). The dark side of love : love styles and the dark triad. Personality and individual differences, 49(6), 606-610.
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2010 Kavanagh, P. S., Robins, S. C., & Ellis, B. J. (2010). The mating sociometer : a regulatory mechanism for mating aspirations. Journal of personality and social psychology, 99(1), 120-132.
DOI

Year Citation
2022 Paterson, C., Toohey, K., Bacon, R., Kavanagh, P., & Roberts, C. (2022). What are the unmet supportive care needs of people affected by cancer: An umbrella systematic review. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 18 (pp. 222). WILEY.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2022 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Laura Grace Hanlon
2015 Principal Supervisor class="MsoNormal">Metastereotypes as a moderator between group identification and support for intergroup aggression Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Karyne Helena Framand

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