Dr Theresa Scott is a Psychologist whose research focuses on older adults and Geropsychology. She holds an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowship and has experience in research on functional outcomes for persons with dementia in communities and residential aged care. Theresa's NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowship focuses on the complex issues around dementia and driving. The aim of this research program is to translate a comprehensive support- and education-based driving cessation intervention for people with dementia and their carers, into clinical practice. The results of this research will enhance understanding of the issues for health professionals who monitor driving cessation in primary care settings; and inform the most effective strategies for primary care delivery of the intervention in metropolitan and regional areas.
Theresa is skilled in both qualitative and quantitative methods of research design and analyses, and in evaluation research. Her research to date has focused on ageing well programs, psychosocial interventions that support people with dementia and their carers, social and therapeutic horticulture to combat loneliness and depression for older people, clinical psychology postgraduate training and continuing professional development programs. Additional research interests include evidence-based complementary and expressive therapies for older adults; psychosocial interventions in long-term care environments; and attitudes to ageing and self-stereotypes.
Journal Article: How medical professional students view older people with dementia: implications for education and practice
Scott, Theresa L., Kugelman, Melissa and Tulloch, Kristen (2019) How medical professional students view older people with dementia: implications for education and practice. PLoS One, 14 11: e0225329. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225329
Journal Article: Developing a model of mobility capital for an ageing population
Musselwhite, Charles and Scott, Theresa (2019) Developing a model of mobility capital for an ageing population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 18: 3327. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183327
Journal Article: Shaping attitudes: the association between prior contact with residential aged care and resistance to enter residential aged care
Walker, Nicole, Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N., Scott, Theresa, Manchha, Asmita and Pachana, Nancy A. (2019) Shaping attitudes: the association between prior contact with residential aged care and resistance to enter residential aged care. International Journal of Older People Nursing, e12268. doi:10.1111/opn.12268
(2017–2020) NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Grants
(2017–2018) Queensland Health
(2016–2019) NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowships Scheme
Wellbeing and the lived experience of deep nature connection ¿ learning from people who report a deep connection with nature and applying this to promoting wellbeing in others.
Doctor Philosophy
(2019) Doctor Philosophy
The role of organisational systems in sustaining the devaluation of vulnerable workers: Exploring implications for well-being.
Doctor Philosophy
Therapeutic gardens and expressive therapies
Scott, Theresa L. and Pachana, Nancy A. (2016). Therapeutic gardens and expressive therapies. In Complementary, alternative, and integrative interventions for mental health and aging: research and practice (pp. 529-546) New York , NY, United States: Oxford Univerisity Press.
Scott, Theresa L. (2015). Horticultural therapy. In Nancy A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of geropsychology (pp. 1-5) Singapore: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_268-1
Scott, Theresa L., Kugelman, Melissa and Tulloch, Kristen (2019) How medical professional students view older people with dementia: implications for education and practice. PLoS One, 14 11: e0225329. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225329
Developing a model of mobility capital for an ageing population
Musselwhite, Charles and Scott, Theresa (2019) Developing a model of mobility capital for an ageing population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 18: 3327. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183327
Walker, Nicole, Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N., Scott, Theresa, Manchha, Asmita and Pachana, Nancy A. (2019) Shaping attitudes: the association between prior contact with residential aged care and resistance to enter residential aged care. International Journal of Older People Nursing, e12268. doi:10.1111/opn.12268
Nonpharmacological interventions for anxiety and dementia in nursing homes: a systematic review
Brown Wilson, Christine, Arendt, Lars, Nguyen, Mynhi, Scott, Theresa L, Neville, Christine C and Pachana, Nancy A (2019) Nonpharmacological interventions for anxiety and dementia in nursing homes: a systematic review. The Gerontologist, . doi:10.1093/geront/gnz020
Scott, Theresa, Liddle, Jacki, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Beattie, Elizabeth and Pachana, Nancy (2019) Implementation and evaluation of a driving cessation intervention to improve community mobility and wellbeing outcomes for people living with dementia: study protocol of the ‘CarFreeMe’ for people with dementia program. BMC Geriatrics, 19 1: 66. doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1074-6
Scott, T. L., Liddle, J., Pachana, N. A., Beattie, E. and Mitchell, G. K. (2019) Managing the transition to non-driving in patients with dementia in primary care settings: facilitators and barriers reported by primary care physicians. International Psychogeriatrics, . doi:10.1017/S1041610218002326
Syed Elias, Sharifah Munirah, Petriwskyj, Andrea, Scott, Theresa and Neville, Christine (2018) Spiritual reminiscence therapy for older people with loneliness, anxiety and depression living in a residential aged care facility, Malaysia: a qualitative approach. Australasian Journal on Ageing, . doi:10.1111/ajag.12598
Persisting use of physical restraint: knowledge translation vs. attitudes
Walker, Nicole, Scott, Theresa, Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N., Barlow, Fiona Kate and Pachana, Nancy A. (2018) Persisting use of physical restraint: knowledge translation vs. attitudes. International Journal of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, 5 1-4. doi:10.21035/ijcnmh.2018.5.1
Pakenham, Kenneth I., Scott, Theresa and Uccelli, Michele Messmer (2018) Evaluation of acceptance and commitment therapy training for psychologists working with people with multiple sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care, 20 1: 44-48. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-080
Taua, Chris, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2017) Appreciating the work of nurses caring for adults with intellectual disability and mental health issues. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 26 6: 629-638. doi:10.1111/inm.12291
Mental health inpatient experiences of adults with intellectual disability
Taua, Chris, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2015) Mental health inpatient experiences of adults with intellectual disability. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 24 6: 507-518. doi:10.1111/inm.12148
Clinical and Counseling Psychology Graduate Students’ Expectations for Future Work With Older Adults
Woodhead, Erin L., Emery-Tiburcio, Erin E., Pachana, Nancy A., Scott, Theresa L., Konnert, Candace A. and Edelstein, Barry A. (2015) Clinical and Counseling Psychology Graduate Students’ Expectations for Future Work With Older Adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 38 5: 357-374. doi:10.1080/07317115.2015.1067271
Syed Elias, Sharifah Munirah, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2015) The effectiveness of group reminiscence therapy for loneliness, anxiety and depression in older adults in long-term care: A systematic review. Geriatric Nursing, 36 5: 372-380. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.05.004
Scott, Theresa L., Mittelman, Mary S., Beattie, Elizabeth, Parker, Deborah and Neville, Christine (2015) Translating training in the NYU caregiver intervention in Australia: maintaining fidelity and meeting graduate standards in an online continuing professional education setting. Educational Gerontology, 41 10: 710-722. doi:10.1080/03601277.2015.1048171
Scott, Theresa, L., Masser, Barbara, M. and Pachana, Nancy, A. (2014) Multisensory installations in residential aged-care facilities: increasing novelty and encouraging social engagement through modest environmental changes. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 40 9: 20-31. doi:10.3928/00989134-20140731-01
Exploring the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening for older adults
Scott, Theresa L., Masser, Barbara M. and Pachana, Nancy A. (2014) Exploring the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening for older adults. Ageing and Society, 35 10: 2176-2200. doi:10.1017/S0144686X14000865
Woodhead, Erin L., Emery, Erin E., Pachana, Nancy A., Scott, Theresa L., Konnert, Candace A. and Edelstein, Barry A. (2013) Graduate students' geropsychology training opportunities and perceived competence in working with older adults. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 44 5: 355-362. doi:10.1037/a0034632
Attainment of Competencies in Clinical Psychology Training: Ways Forward in the Australian Context
Pachana, Nancy A., Sofronoff, Kate, Scott, Theresa and Helmes, Edward (2011) Attainment of Competencies in Clinical Psychology Training: Ways Forward in the Australian Context. Australian Psychologist, 46 2: 67-76. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9544.2011.00029.x
Scott, Theresa L., Pachana, Nancy A. and Sofronoff, Kate (2011) Survey of current curriculum practices within Australian postgraduate clinical training programmes: Students' and programme directors' perspectives. Australian Psychologist, 46 2: 77-89. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9544.2011.00030.x
Scott, Theresa L. and Darlington, Yvonne (2011) Negotiating and planning an evaluation: An example from a youth services Work for the Dole program activity. Evaluation Journal of Australasia, 11 1: 11-19.
Living with dementia and adjusting to life without driving
Scott, Theresa L., Liddle, Jacki, Pachana, Nancy, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Chapman, Jessica and Gustafsson, Louise (2018). Living with dementia and adjusting to life without driving. In: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Chicago, Illinois, (P1377). 22-26 July 2018. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2004
Residential aged care: industry and education taking a contact theory approach
Walker, N., Barlow, F., Reutas, J., Scott, T., Pachana, N. and Dissanayaka, N. (2018). Residential aged care: industry and education taking a contact theory approach. In: NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum, Sydney, Australia, (). 4-5 June 2018.
Walker, N., Scott, T., Barlow, F. K., Pachana, N. A. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2018). The Good Neighbour Program: An innovative social support/educational integrated intervention in residential aged-care. In: International Dementia Conference: Mission Impossible - Truth and Lies in the Age of Choice, Sydney, Australia, (). 7-8 June 2018.
Walker, N., Scott, T., Barlow, F. K., Pachana, N. A. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2017). The Good Neighbour Program: An innovative social support/educational integrated intervention in residential aged-care. In: Psychology & Ageing Interest Group National Conference - Empowering older adults through psychology, Brisbane, Australia, (). 6-7 October 2017.
Navigating Driving Cessation: Developing An Education and Support Program for People with Dementia
Scott, T. L., Liddle, J., Pachana, N., Beattie, E. and Mitchell, G. (2016). Navigating Driving Cessation: Developing An Education and Support Program for People with Dementia. In: GSA Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, (325-325). 16-20 November 2016. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.1329
Scott, T. L., Masser, B. M. and Pachana, N. A. (2016). Positive ageing and gardening: development and testing of a gardening survey measuring benefits of leisure gardening. In: XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014): XII International People Plant Symposium: Horticulture and Human Communities. XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, (1-6). 17-22 August 2014. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1121.1
Scott, T. L., Masser, B. M. and Pachana, N. A. (2016). Using indoor plants and natural elements to positively impact occupants of residential aged-care facilities. In: XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014): XII International People Plant Symposium: Horticulture and Human Communities. XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, (7-12). 17-22 August 2014. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1121.2
Taua, Chris, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2015). A multidimensional integrated framework to improve inpatient mental health care of people with intellectual disability. In: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 41st International Mental Health Nursing Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, (44-44). 7-9 October, 2015. doi:10.1111/inm.12172/abstract
Rosenfeld-Lovell, D., Brown Wilson, C., Scott, T. and Neville, C (2015). Psychosocial interventions for older people experiencing depression in aged care facilities: a systematic review. In: 3rd NUS-NUH International Nursing Conference & 20th Joint Singapore-Malaysian Nursing Conference, Singapore, Singapore, (). 18-20 November 2015.
Elias, Sharifah Munifah Syed, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2015). Reminiscence Therapy for older people suffering from loneliness, anxiety and depression: a review of the literature. In: The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2015: Official Conference Proceedings. The Fifth Asian Conference on Psychology and The Behavioral Sciences, Osaka Japan, (1-17). 26-29 March, 2015.
Capacity, information and voluntariness: the realities of gaining consent
Taua, Chris, Neville, Christine and Scott, Theresa (2014). Capacity, information and voluntariness: the realities of gaining consent. In: ASID NZ 2014 Conference: Research to Practice, Hamilton, NZ, (). 9-10 April, 2014.
Neville, C., Scott, T., Beattie, E., Parker, D. and Mittelman, M. (2014). Evaluation of an internet-based self-directed educational program to facilitate learning and competence in delivery of the NYU Caregiver Intervention to Australian carers: learner perspectives. In: DCRC 2014 National Dementia Forum Abstracts. DCRC2014: 8th National Dementia Research Forum 2014, Sydney, NSW, Australia, (31-32). 18 September, 2014.
Scott, Theresa, Neville, Christine, Mittelman, Mary, Beattie, E. and Parker, D. (2013). Enhancing quality of life of carers of people with dementia: knowledge transfer and training of healthcare professionals. In: DCRC-CC: 7th National Dementia Research Forum 2013, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, (). 21-22 September, 2013.
Neville, Christine, Mittelman, Mary, Scott, Theresa, Beattie, Elizabeth and Parker, Deborah (2013). NYUCI(Aus): supporting carers of people with dementia. Translating the New York University Caregiver Intervention for an Australian workforce and consumers. In: West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Research Day 2013 Abstract Booklet. 4th Annual West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Research Day, Ipswich, QLD, Australia, (47-47). 18 October 2013.
Supporting carers of people with dementia: An innovative learning platform for health workers
Neville, C., Mittelman, M. S., Beattie, E., Scott, T., Hobday, J. and Parker, D. (2013). Supporting carers of people with dementia: An innovative learning platform for health workers. In: Abstracts: The Gerontological Society of America 66th Annual Scientific Meeting. 66th Annual Scientific Meeting “Optimal Aging Through Research”, New Orleans, LA United States, (72-72). 20-24 November 2013. doi:10.1093/geront/gnt151
Pachana, N. A., Cody, A., Bakharia, A. and Scott, T. (2012). Raising awareness at the undergraduate level: facilitating engagement and reflection on nursing homes. In: Charting new frontiers in aging. Abstracts of the Gerontological Society of America 65th Annual Scientific Meeting. 65th Annual Scientific Meeting “Charting New Frontiers in Aging”, San Diego, CA, United States, (466-466). 14-18 November 2012.
Facilitators and barriers to achieving an ageing literate clinical psychology workforce
Pachana, Nancy, Scott, T., Sofronoff, K. and Helmes, E. (2011). Facilitators and barriers to achieving an ageing literate clinical psychology workforce. In: International Psychogeriatric Association Reinventing Aging through Innovation 15th International Congress, The Hague, Netherlands, (S76-S77). 6-9 September 2011. doi:10.1017/S104161021100127X
Scott, T. (2009). “One who plants a garden, plants happiness”: the therapeutic benefit of gardening activities for older community dwelling adults. In: Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. 19th World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Paris, France, (S506-S506). 5-9 July 2009. doi:10.1007/s12603-009-0095-9
Therapeutic gardens in residential care facilities
Scott, T. and Pachana, N. (2007). Therapeutic gardens in residential care facilities. In: 2nd APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group Conference. 2nd APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group Conference, Geelong, Vic., Australia, (372-372). 13 November 2007.
How medical professional students view older people with dementia - Dataset
Scott, Theresa, Kugelman, Melissa and Tulloch, Kristen (2019): How medical professional students view older people with dementia - Dataset. The University of Queensland. Dataset. doi:10.14264/uql.2019.781
Scott, Theresa Lorraine (2012). Examining the therapeutic effect of gardens and gardening activities for older adults residing in the community and in aged-care facilities PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.
(2017–2020) NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Grants
(2017–2018) Queensland Health
(2016–2019) NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowships Scheme
(2016–2017) UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - FirstLink
(2014–2016) Queensland Health
Wellbeing and the lived experience of deep nature connection ¿ learning from people who report a deep connection with nature and applying this to promoting wellbeing in others.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
The role of organisational systems in sustaining the devaluation of vulnerable workers: Exploring implications for well-being.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Occupational Therapy in the Residential Aged Care Setting: The Occupational Therapists Role and Service Delivery in Australia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2015) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.