Rachel Roberts

Professor Rachel Roberts

Professor

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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

I am a Professor and Registered Psychologist (endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychologist, Health Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist). My research and teaching is in the areas of child, adolescent and peri-natal clinical, health and neuropsychology, including issues of stigma and chronic illness. Of particular interest are psychological aspects of acquired brain injury and craniofacial conditions.

PhD and Master of Psychology research project opportunities

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic condition resulting from a genetic defect in the phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme.  This condition results in very elevated phenylalanine levels, which cause brain damage if not treated adequately by a medically prescribed diet consisting of medically prescribed nutritional supplements and a low protein diet.  This condition has been screened for by newborn screening for almost 60 years in Australia.  We know that implementation of the diet in the neonatal period has improved the cognitive outcomes for adults with PKU identified by newborn screening, but we know very little about the quality of life and lived experience of adults with PKU in Australia.

Initially children identified with PKU were followed in a centre and discharged when they were felt to not be at risk of further adverse cognitive outcomes.  There was recognition subsequently that elevated phenylalanine levels were teratogenic and care pathways were developed to support women pre-pregnancy to return to diet.  Despite initial studies that reported no difference in quality of life, it has become much clearer over time that elevated phenylalanine levels do have an effect on cognitive functioning and mental health.

We are interested in exploring the lived experience of adults with PKU to better understand their perspective on their medical condition, the challenges that they experience with lifelong dietary therapy and also their views on new or emerging treatments. 

This project has a qualitative component that will separately explore:

  • Views and attitudes of adult men with PKU as this is a population who have not previously been well captured in the qualitative PKU research.
  • Views and attitudes of adults who have spent some time off diet to return back to diet again.
  • Views and attitudes of women with PKU who have experienced a pregnancy. 

The quantitative arm of this project would include capturing quality of life and life experience data for a broad range of topics using qualtrix.

This project would be conducted with co-design with the PKU community and represents an opportunity for a significant and impactful body of work with access to experienced supervisors (Co-supervision by Dr Sarah Donoghue, Metabolic Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital) and experts within this field of research.  There would be opportunities to use this work for research translation.  Ideally this project would be offered as an entire body of work to a PhD student, but individual components of the project could be offered as Masters projects.

Nationally competitive grants

2023-24 Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D ($104,950, Category 3) Psychosocial support needs for families living with craniofacial conditions Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation

2022-2027-

Hedges J, Jamieson LM, …Roberts R. ($3,208,372, Category 1) A silver fluoride intervention to improve the life trajectories of Indigenous young people and reduce dental disease across the life course MRFF Indigenous Health Research

2021

Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Oxlad M, Roberts R, Redoric B ($120,100, Category 2) Work Gain: Experiences of a work-specific rehabilitation program. Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia

2020-23

Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D ($240,955, Category 3) Sagittal synostosis: Psychological outcomes Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation

2020-23

Glasson E, Roberts R, Pellicano E, Salt A. ($1,023,783.00, Category 1) Developmental disability in the family: Consequences for siblings NHMRC-Ideas Grants

2020-21

Taylor A, Van Hooff M, Lawn S, Lawrence D, Rikkers W, Roberts R, Delfabbro P, McFarlane A ($219,751, Category 3 & 4) Promoting positive mental health in early career emergency services volunteers Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Program

2020

Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A, Fraser W, Kuberek S. ($2,500, Category 3) Collaboration Grant, Spinal Research Institute

2019-20

Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Kneebone I, Craig A, Oxlad M ($25,000, Category 1) Development and evaluation of an online education and peer-supported intervention for job-seekers with multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia

2019-20

Zhou S, Smithers L, Roberts R ($74,577, Category 3) Maternal iodine intake, thyroid function in pregnancy & executive function of children Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation

2019-20

Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Murphy G, Kneebone I, Craig A, Chur-Hansen A ($94,507, Category 2) Work and SCI: development of a return-to-work assessment & vocational counselling service for injured job-seekers living in the community Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia

2018-21

Jamieson L, Paradies Y, Roberts R, Hedges J, Mitchell A, Dunbar T, Warren C, Venner K ($898,097, Category 2) A motivational interviewing intervention to improve social and emotional well-being among Aboriginal children NHMRC Targeted Call for Research into Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing

2017-18

Roberts R, Proeve M ($5,000, Category 1) Risk Aware Project: Identifying Adverse Health Events During Psychology Clinical Placements Office for Learning and Teaching OLT Grants

2016-19

Roberts R, Mathias J ($165,601, Category 3) What are the cognitive, mental health, and quality of life outcomes for children, adolescents and young adults with unoperated metopic synostosis Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation

2016-17

Dorstyn, D., Roberts, R., et al. ($23,330, Category 3) Work and SCI: an online resource to enhance vocational outcomes following spinal cord injury auDA Foundation

2016-17

Gould, J., Roberts, R., & Collins, C. ($54,870, Category 3) Can behavioural functioning at three years’ corrected age be improved in infants born very preterm with high-dose docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in the neonatal period? A follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. WCH Foundation

 

Grants prior to 2017

Roberts R, Proeve M 2016-2017 Risk Aware Project: Identifying Adverse Health Events During Psychology Clinical Placements Office for Learning and Teaching - OLT Grants $ 5,000

Dorstyn, D., Roberts, R., Murphy, G., Craig, A., Kneebone, I., Migliorini, C. & Field, D. (2014-15) Development and evaluation of an online vocational program for an Australian sample with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.  Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Incubator Grant. $20,985.

Roberts, R.M., Strohm, K., Jureidini, J., Giallo, R., & Robb, J. (2013-14) Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Grant Evaluation of a group program for siblings. $70,000

Roberts, R. Travel grant to attend the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association’s 68th Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico, Ian Potter Foundation (2011), $2,504.

Roberts, R. Travel grant to attend the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association’s 68th Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico, Healthy Development Adelaide (2011), $1,000.

Ratcliff, J., Flynn, T., Brazier, J.E., Stevens, K., Sawyer, M., (AI: Roberts, R.) (2011-12) Adolescent health: application of Best Worst Scaling Discrete Choice Experiments to value multi-attribute health states for use in economic evaluation, NHMRC. $174,313

University of Adelaide competitive grants

Roberts, R.M. & Mathias, J.L. (2012) Relationship between cognitive functioning and DTI findings following traumatic brain injury in children: A meta-analysis. RIGB Small Grant, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide.  $11,000

Dorstyn, D. (Associate Investigator Roberts, R) (2012) The effectiveness of leisure interventions in maximising functional outcomes in stroke rehabilitation: a meta-analytic review. RIGB Small Grant, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide. $11,172

I currently teach and coordinate our Psychology Research internship course in semester 2. I teach and co-coordinate our Honours course; Interviewing and Interpersonal skills. I also teach into our postgraduate course in Neuropsychology and Disability, and coordinate the Research Project in Clinical Psychology 1 and 2. I supervise psychology honours, Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Master of Psychology (Health) research projects, as well as PhD students. I also supervise Master of Psychology students on external placements.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Cross-Cultural Application of Positive Psychology Therapy: Investigating Strategies to Promote Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Asian Low-Middle Income Countries. Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Ms Anabelle Fajardo
    2023 Principal 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
    2021 Principal Supervisor Interventions for disrupted attachment styles in adults with BPD, and the effects on infant attachment Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr David Rimmington
    2021 Principal Supervisor A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program to reduce the negative impact of online social media use on the mental health of emerging adults. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Zoe Herriman
    2021 Co-Supervisor Descriptive epidemiology and surgical protocol for children and adolescents with orofacial clefts in South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Emilija Daina Jensen
    2018 Co-Supervisor Shame and Working Alliance in Therapeutic Relationships Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Daniel James Carabellese

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary School Aged Children: A Positive Psychology Approach to Prevention Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Jasmine Claire Turner
    2020 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Best and close friendships in adulthood: The ups, downs, and in betweens
    (reciprocation, dissolution, distress, ostracism, and restoration)    		 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Williams
    2018 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Racism and Aboriginal Australian Children's Wellbeing: Impact and Protective Factors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Davi Manzini Macedo
    2018 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Supporting Weight Loss Maintenance: The Role of Planning, Problem Solving and Recommendations for Future Interventions Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Part Time Ms Amanda Ellen Dibb-Smith
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Social Support Scale (SSS) and Sense of Personal Control Scale (SPCS) in Aboriginal Australian populations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pedro Henrique Ribeiro Santiago
    2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Adaptation and Validation of an Individualised Paediatric Health-Related Quality of Life Measure (Paediatric Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile) and its Evaluation in a Clinical Setting Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Sana Ishaque
    2016 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Variable Clinical and Molecular Expressivity of PCDH19 Variants and Girls Clustering Epilepsy A Disorder of Cellular "Mosaics" Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kristy Louise Kolc
    2016 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Shame and Working Alliance in Healthcare Relationships Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Part Time Mr Daniel James Carabellese
    2015 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Resilience in the Transition to Parenthood Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Cecily Young
    2014 - 2021 Co-Supervisor The Dynamics of Self-Regulation Model in the Domain of Problematic Internet Usage: Can Commitment and Progress Frameworks Help Regulate Problematic Internet Use? Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr David William Dunbar
    2012 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Determinants of Sun-Related Behaviours in Young Adults: The Role of Knowledge, Sociocultural Influences, and Appearance Ideals Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Health) Doctorate Full Time Miss Ashley Kathryn Day
    2012 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children: Is it feasible, acceptable, and effective, for prevention of internalizing difficulties in Australian primary school children? Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Part Time Miss Kathleen Mary Wright
    2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Siblings of Children with Mental Health Problems: Two Decades of Research Master of Psychology (Clinical)/Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Nylanda Lai-Han Tsang Ma
    2011 - 2014 Principal Supervisor The bidirectionality of the relationship between insomnia, anxiety and depression in adolescents: a longitudinal study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Pasquale K Alvaro
    2011 - 2015 Principal Supervisor An exploration of resilience and suicidality across three age groups in males and females living in the community. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Danica Wai Yee Liu
    2011 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Burnout and Engagement in Health Profession Students and Early Career Health Professionals: Exploring the Role of Demands and Resources Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Tamara Robins
    2010 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Parenting with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder: A case for targeted interventions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Dianna Ruth Bartsch
    2008 - 2011 Co-Supervisor Facial Aesthetics and Psychological Outcome Assessment Following Treatment of Non-Syndromic Cleft Patients Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Doctorate Full Time Dr Peter Bor Yenn Foo
    2008 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Sleep and snoring in infancy: Prevalence and effects on cognitive development, maternal mental health and family functioning Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Alicia Marie Piteo
    2008 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Measuring Children's Forgiveness: Development of the Children's Forgiveness Card Set Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Emma Kemp

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The Subjective Experiences of Mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Who Have Completed Mother-Infant Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (MI-DBT). The University of Adelaide Honours in Psychology Honours - Jaimee Francis
    2013 - 2014 Co-Supervisor The role of attention in mental health problems. The University of Adelaide Master of Psychology (Clinical) Master - Sharni Searle

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    1989 - ongoing Member Australian Psychological Society Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2015 - ongoing Board Member Neuropsychology Review - -
    2009 - ongoing Associate Editor Clinical Psychologist - -
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83135228
  • Email: rachel.roberts@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83133770
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Hughes, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Psychology
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