| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Carter, T., Pascoe, M., Bastounis, A., Morres, I. D., Callaghan, P., & Parker, A. G. (210415). The effect of physical activity on anxiety in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 285 (10-21). |
| 2021 | Filia, K., Rickwood, D., Menssink, J., Gao, C. X., Hetrick, S., Parker, A., Hamilton, M., Hickie, I., Herrman, H., & Telford, N. (210101). Clinical and functional characteristics of a subsample of young people presenting for primary mental healthcare at headspace services across Australia. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, |
| 2021 | Rosenbaum, S., McKeon, G., Stubbs, B., Teychenne, M., Parker, A., Stanton, R., Schuch, F., Mistry, A., Steel, Z., & Firth, J. (210101). Redefining mental healthcare: Going multidisciplinary to manage multimorbidity. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(1), (7-8). |
| 2020 | Rice, S. M., Parker, A. G., Mawren, D., Clifton, P., Harcourt, P., Lloyd, M., Kountouris, A., Smith, B., McGorry, P. D., & Purcell, R. (201101). Preliminary psychometric validation of a brief screening tool for athlete mental health among male elite athletes: the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 18(6), (850-865). |
| 2020 | Perera, S., Hetrick, S., Cotton, S., Parker, A., Rickwood, D., Davenport, T., Hickie, I. B., Herrman, H., & McGorry, P. (200703). Awareness of headspace youth mental health service centres across Australian communities between 2008 and 2015. Journal of Mental Health, 29(4), (410-417). |
| 2020 | Pascoe, M. C., Bailey, A. P., Craike, M., Carter, T., Patten, R., Stepto, N. K., & Parker, A. G. (200504). Exercise interventions for mental disorders in young people: A scoping review. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 6(1), |
| 2020 | Hilland, T. A., Bourke, M., Wiesner, G., Garcia, Bengoechea., Parker, A. G., Pascoe, M., & Craike, M. (200501). Correlates of walking among disadvantaged groups: A systematic review. Health and Place, 63 |
| 2020 | Pascoe, M., Bailey, A. P., Craike, M., Carter, T., Patten, R., Stepto, N., & Parker, A. (200123). Physical activity and exercise in youth mental health promotion: A scoping review. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 6(1), |
| 2020 | Pascoe, M. C., Hetrick, S. E., & Parker, A. G. (200102). The impact of stress on students in secondary school and higher education. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), (104-112). |
| 2020 |
Pascoe, M. C., Bailey, A. P., Craike, M., Carter, T., Patten, R. K., Stepto, N. K., & Parker, A. G. (200101). Poor reporting of physical activity and exercise interventions in youth mental health trials: A brief report. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, doi: 10.1111/eip.13045 |
Key details
Areas of expertise
- Mental health
- Clinical trials
- Physical activity
- Lifestyle interventions
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
About Alex Parker
Alexandra (Alex) is the Executive Director, Institute for Health & Sport and a professor of Physical Activity and Mental Health in the Institute, one of two flagship research institutes at Victoria University. The Institute has 115 research staff and 250 PhD students.
Alex leads a multidisciplinary research group that aims to measure, understand, and promote physical activity to optimise mental wellbeing and prevent and treat mental illness. Her research aims to maximise the potential of physical activity in achieving better clinical outcomes, improved functioning and wellbeing in those at risk of, or experiencing, mental health problems.
Alex is the Chief Investigator on a NHMRC project grant multi-site cluster-RCT (2014-2019), examining the effectiveness of integrating a brief physical activity behaviour change intervention into routine clinical care for young people with depression. She has internationally pioneered this type of intervention in young people with high prevalence mental disorders. She currently leads the development of the Behavioural and Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Disorder research consortium within Victoria University’s research school.
Her major research interests are investigating the effectiveness of physical activity, behavioural and lifestyle interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders; translating research findings into practice through workforce development and implementation studies; and the mental health and wellbeing of elite athletes.
Alex is also a practising clinical psychologist specialising in youth mental health.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Melbourne, Australia, 2007
- MPsych (Clin), University of Melbourne, Australia, 2007
- BA (Hons, Psych), University of Melbourne, Australia, 2007
Key publications
Alex has over 131 publications, with a selection listed here.
A more comprehensive list of Alex's publications is available in the VU Research Repository.
Journal article (showing 10 of 76)
Research funding for the past 5 years
Please note:
- Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
- Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
- The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.
2019
|
Headspace 'Decks' (Interactive Self-directed and Automated Intervention Options): Development of Content and Evaluation Framework
From: Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation Ltd
Other investigators: Aspr Melinda Craike
For period: 2019-2020
|
Not disclosed |
|
Factors that Influence Wellbeing and Life Satisfaction Beyond Elite Athletes' Sporting Careers: Identification and Prediction of Positive Retirement Outcomes
From: Australian Institute of Sport
Other investigators: Aspr Camilla Brockett, Dr Michaela Pascoe
For period: 2019-2019
|
Not disclosed |
2017
|
readyforwhatsnext: VicHealth Innovation Project on Identifying Optimal Strategies for Developing the Resilience of Young Victorians.
From: VicHealth Innovation Grants
For period: 2017-2019
|
Not disclosed |
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the following organisations for their support and essential contributions to my research:
-
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Parker AG, Jorm A, MacKinnon A, et al. Physical activity for young people with depression: A cluster randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of incorporating a brief intervention into routine clinical care. NHMRC Project Grant; 2013 ($1,613,136.40)
Supervision of research students at VU
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
Completed supervision of research students at VU
| No. of students | Study level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | PhD | Associate supervisor |
| 2 | PhD | Principal Supervisor supervisor |
| 1 | PhD Integrated | Principal Supervisor supervisor |
Completed supervision of research students at VU
| Students & level | Role |
|---|---|
| PhD (5) | Associate supervisor |
| PhD (2) | Principal Supervisor supervisor |
| PhD Integrated (1) | Principal Supervisor supervisor |
Professional memberships
- Registered psychologist - clinical endorsement, Psychology Board of Australia
