James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He has broad research interests in compassion, but specifically examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding. He also examines the clinical effectiveness of compassion focused interventions, specifically in how they help with self-criticism and shame that underpin many depression and anxiety disorders. James also holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK. In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion, and in 2020 he co-edited Making an Impact on Mental Health. He serves as an Associate Editor for two international journals Mindfulness and Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice.
Journal Article: Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years
Fitzallen, Grace C., Griffin, Alison, Taylor, H. Gerry, Kirby, James N., Liley, Helen G. and Bora, Samudragupta (2023). Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11 1084970. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1084970
Journal Article: Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, Plowright, Ptarmigan, Matos, Marcela, Kirby, James and Petrocchi, Nicola (2023). Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale. Mindfulness, 14 (11), 2602-2616. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02171-y
Journal Article: A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: a randomised controlled trial
Kirby, James N., Hoang, April and Ramos, Norman (2023). A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: a randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 96 (3), 608-626. doi: 10.1111/papt.12459
A Compassionate Decision-Making Model to Increase Compassionate Behavior
(2022–2024) Mind & Life PEACE Grants Program
(2021–2025) YoungCare Ltd
Neural Correlates of Compassion vs. Kindness
(2021–2022) The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on The Experience of Compassion
Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility and pilot testing of a compassion-focused intervention in young offenders and children in care
Doctor Philosophy
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
(2021) Doctor Philosophy
Deepening Self-Compassion
This PhD project is aimed at examining novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion. The project involves multi-modal approaches, including the use of video-recording, physiology, and self-report measures
Examining an online Compassion Skills Training intervention
This PhD project will examine a newly created online Compassion Skills Training intervention, which includes six modules. The progam is self-directed and aimed towards populations that have difficulty with self-criticism and shame.
Choose compassion: why it matters and how it works
Kirby, James (2022). Choose compassion: why it matters and how it works. St Lucia, QLD Australia: UQP.
Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness : The Applications of Psychological Research
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul eds. (2020). Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness : The Applications of Psychological Research. New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429244551
Compassion Focused Therapy – What It Is, What It Targets, and the Evidence
Kirby, James N. and Petrocchi, Nicola (2023). Compassion Focused Therapy – What It Is, What It Targets, and the Evidence. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. (pp. 417-432) Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_23
Parenting, family environments, and mental health and illness
Kirby, James N. and Tellegen, Cassandra L. (2021). Parenting, family environments, and mental health and illness. Making an impact on mental health: the applications of psychological research. (pp. 71-96) edited by James N. Kirby and Paul Gilbert. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429244551-4
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2020). Introduction to psychological impacts on mental health: How psychological science informs how we approach mental health. Making an Impact on Mental Health and Illness. (pp. 1-3) New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429244551-1
Parenting of adult children: a neglected area of parenting studies
Kirby, James N. and Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. (2018). Parenting of adult children: a neglected area of parenting studies. Handbook of parenting and child development across the lifespan. (pp. 653-675) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Alina Morawska. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-94598-9_29
Compassion as the highest ethic
Kirby, James N., Steindl, Stanley R. and Doty, James R. (2017). Compassion as the highest ethic. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. (pp. 253-277) edited by Lynette M. Monteiro, Jane F. Compson and Frank Musten. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_10
Compassionate parenting: The role of compassion in parenting
Kirby, J.N. (2017). Compassionate parenting: The role of compassion in parenting. The Handbook of Compassion Science. edited by Emma M. Seppälä, Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Stephanie L. Brown, Monica C. Worline, C. Daryl Cameron and James R. Doty. Oxford, England, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190464684.013.8
Quality assurance and program development
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2017). Quality assurance and program development. The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system. (pp. 460-471) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzuchelli. New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0043
The emergence of the compassion focused therapies
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2017). The emergence of the compassion focused therapies. Compassion: concepts, research and applications. (pp. 258-285) edited by Paul Gilbert. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315564296
Working with grandparents and extended family members
Kirby, James N. (2017). Working with grandparents and extended family members. The Power of Positive Parenting. (pp. 196-205) edited by Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzucchelli. New York, NY, United States: Oxford University Press.. doi: 10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0016
Parental programs for preventing behavioural and emotional problems in children
Sanders, Matthew and Kirby, James (2010). Parental programs for preventing behavioural and emotional problems in children. Oxford Guide to Low Intensity CBT Interventions. (pp. 399-406) edited by James Bennett-Levy, David Richards, Paul Farrand, Helen Christensen, Kathy Griffiths, David Kavanagh, Britt Klein, Mark A. Lau, Judy Proudfoot, Lee Ritterband, Chris Williams and Jim White. New York, United States: Oxford University Press.
Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years
Fitzallen, Grace C., Griffin, Alison, Taylor, H. Gerry, Kirby, James N., Liley, Helen G. and Bora, Samudragupta (2023). Risk profiles of the preterm behavioral phenotype in children aged 3 to 18 years. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11 1084970. doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1084970
Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, Plowright, Ptarmigan, Matos, Marcela, Kirby, James and Petrocchi, Nicola (2023). Fears and resistances to mindfulness: development of a self-report scale. Mindfulness, 14 (11), 2602-2616. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02171-y
Kirby, James N., Hoang, April and Ramos, Norman (2023). A brief compassion focused therapy intervention can help self‐critical parents and their children: a randomised controlled trial. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 96 (3), 608-626. doi: 10.1111/papt.12459
Carter, Alicia, Steindl, Stanley R., Parker, Stacey, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2023). Compassion focused therapy to reduce body weight shame for individuals with obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Behavior Therapy, 54 (5), 747-764. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.02.001
Self-compassion and compassion for others: a multiple mediation study of personal values
Cha, Jane E., Serlachius, Anna S., Cavadino, Alana, Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2023). Self-compassion and compassion for others: a multiple mediation study of personal values. Mindfulness, 14 (10), 2417-2429. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02202-8
Kirby, James N., Sherwell, Chase, Lynn, Sasha and Moloney-Gibb, Dylan (2023). Compassion as a framework for creating individual and group-level wellbeing in the classroom: new directions. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 33 (1), 2-12. doi: 10.1017/jgc.2023.5
Wang, Jingyun, Guo, Mingchun, Day, Jamin and Kirby, James N. (2023). Self-acceptance mediates the relationship between perceived parenting behaviors and fears of compassion. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32 (3), 744-755. doi: 10.1007/s10826-022-02522-8
Testing the bounds of compassion in young children
Kirby, James N., Kirkland, Kelly, Wilks, Matti, Green, Mitchell, Tanjitpiyanond, Porntida, Chowdhury, Nafisa and Nielsen, Mark (2023). Testing the bounds of compassion in young children. Royal Society Open Science, 10 (2) 221448, 1-14. doi: 10.1098/rsos.221448
Promoting prosocial behavior in an unequal world
Kirkland, Kelly, Jetten, Jolanda, Wilks, Matti and Kirby, James (2023). Promoting prosocial behavior in an unequal world. Frontiers in Psychology, 13 1021093, 1-15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1021093
Matos, Marcela, McEwan, Kirsten, Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Steindl, Stanley R., Ferreira, Nuno, Linharelhos, Mariana, Rijo, Daniel, Asano, Kenichi, Vilas, Sara P., Márquez, Margarita G., Gregório, Sónia, Brito-Pons, Gonzalo, Lucena-Santos, Paola, da Silva Oliveira, Margareth, de Souza, Erika Leonardo, Llobenes, Lorena, Gumiy, Natali, Costa, Maria Ileana, Habib, Noor, Hakem, Reham, Khrad, Hussain, Alzahrani, Ahmad, Cheli, Simone, Petrocchi, Nicola, Tholouli, Elli, Issari, Philia, Simos, Gregoris, Lunding-Gregersen, Vibeke ... Gilbert, Paul (2023). Improvements in compassion and fears of compassion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a multinational study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (3) 1845, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031845
Compassionate mind training for ex‐service personnel with PTSD and their partners
Romaniuk, Madeline, Hampton, Sarah, Brown, Kelly, Fisher, Gina, Steindl, Stanley R., Kidd, Chloe and Kirby, James N. (2023). Compassionate mind training for ex‐service personnel with PTSD and their partners. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 30 (3), 643-658. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2825
Perrykkad, Kelsey, Sherwell, Chase, Kirby, James and Hohwy, Jakob (2023). Beliefs about action efficacy mediate the relationship between self-concept clarity and self-reported compassionate action. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. doi: 10.1037/cns0000349
Cha, Jane E., Serlachius, Anna S., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2023). What do (and don’t) we know about self-compassion? Trends and issues in theory, mechanisms, and outcomes. Mindfulness, 14 (11), 2657-2669. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02222-4
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T., Kirby, James N., Haslam, Divna M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2022). Promoting positive relationship between parents and grandparents: a randomized controlled trial of Group Triple P Plus Compassion in Vietnam. Behavior Therapy, 53 (6), 1175-1190. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.06.002
Stages of lipoedema: experiences of physical and mental health and health care
Clarke, Chantelle, Kirby, James N., Smidt, Tilly and Best, Talitha (2022). Stages of lipoedema: experiences of physical and mental health and health care. Quality of Life Research, 32 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s11136-022-03216-w
Cha, Jane E., Boggiss, Anna L., Serlachius, Anna S., Cavadino, Alana, Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2022). A systematic review on mediation studies of self-compassion and physical health outcomes in non-clinical adult populations. Mindfulness, 13 (8), 1876-1900. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01935-2
The role of likeability in discriminating between kindness and compassion
Kirby, James N., Gerrish, Ruby, Sherwell, Chase and Gilbert, Paul (2022). The role of likeability in discriminating between kindness and compassion. Mindfulness, 13 (6), 1555-1564. doi: 10.1007/s12671-022-01900-z
Steindl, Stan, Bell, Tobyn, Dixon, Alison and Kirby, James N. (2022). Therapist perspectives on working with fears, blocks and resistances to compassion in compassion focused therapy. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 23 (3), 850-863. doi: 10.1002/capr.12530
Nurturing self-compassionate performers
Walton, Courtney C., Osborne, Margaret S., Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James (2022). Nurturing self-compassionate performers. Australian Psychologist, 57 (2), 77-85. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2022.2033952
Matos, Marcela, McEwan, Kirsten, Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Steindl, Stanley R., Ferreira, Nuno, Linharelhos, Mariana, Rijo, Daniel, Asano, Kenichi, Márquez, Margarita G., Gregório, Sónia, Vilas, Sara P., Brito-Pons, Gonzalo, Lucena-Santos, Paola, da Silva Oliveira, Margareth, de Souza, Erika Leonardo, Llobenes, Lorena, Gumiy, Natali, Costa, Maria Ileana, Habib, Noor, Hakem, Reham, Khrad, Hussain, Alzahrani, Ahmad, Cheli, Simone, Petrocchi, Nicola, Tholouli, Elli, Issari, Philia, Simos, Gregoris, Lunding-Gregersen, Vibeke ... Gilbert, Paul (2022). Compassion protects mental health and social safeness during the COVID-19 pandemic across 21 countries. Mindfulness, 13 (4), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s12671-021-01822-2
The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related posttraumatic growth and stress
Matos, Marcela, McEwan, Kirsten, Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Steindl, Stanley R., Ferreira, Nuno, Linharelhos, Mariana, Rijo, Daniel, Asano, Kenichi, Vilas, Sara P., Márquez, Margarita G., Gregório, Sónia, Brito-Pons, Gonzalo, Lucena-Santos, Paola, da Silva Oliveira, Margareth, de Souza, Erika Leonardo, Llobenes, Lorena, Gumiy, Natali, Costa, Maria Ileana, Habib, Noor, Hakem, Reham, Khrad, Hussain, Alzahrani, Ahmad, Cheli, Simone, Petrocchi, Nicola, Tholouli, Elli, Issari, Philia, Simos, Gregoris, Lunding-Gregersen, Vibeke ... Gilbert, Paul (2021). The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related posttraumatic growth and stress. PLoS One, 16 (12 December) e0261384, e0261384. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261384
The experience of loneliness: The role of fears of compassion and social safeness
Best, Talitha, Herring, Lee, Clarke, Chantelle, Kirby, James and Gilbert, Paul (2021). The experience of loneliness: The role of fears of compassion and social safeness. Personality and Individual Differences, 183 111161, 111161. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111161
Carter, Alicia, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2021). A systematic review of compassion-based interventions for individuals struggling with body weight shame. Psychology and Health, 38 (1), 1-31. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1955118
Does self-reassurance reduce neural and self-report reactivity to negative life events?
Kim, Jeffrey J., Doty, James R., Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2021). Does self-reassurance reduce neural and self-report reactivity to negative life events?. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 658118, 658118. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.658118
Editorial: Expanding the science of compassion
Mongrain, Myriam, Keltner, Dacher and Kirby, James (2021). Editorial: Expanding the science of compassion. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 745799, 745799. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745799
Fear leads to suffering: fears of compassion predict restriction of the moral boundary
Crimston, Charlie R., Blessing, Sarah, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2021). Fear leads to suffering: fears of compassion predict restriction of the moral boundary. British Journal of Social Psychology, 61 (1) bjso.12483, 345-365. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12483
Carter, Alicia, Hoang, Namphuong, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2021). Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults. Journal of Health Psychology, 27 (10), 135910532110276-2290. doi: 10.1177/13591053211027641
Compassion-focused technologies: reflections and future directions
Day, Jamin, Finkelstein, Joel C., Field, Brent A., Matthews, Benjamin, Kirby, James N. and Doty, James R. (2021). Compassion-focused technologies: reflections and future directions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 603618, 603618. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.603618
Adie, Taylor, Steindl, Stanley R., Kirby, James N., Kane, Robert T. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2021). The relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms: avoidance and activation as mediators. Mindfulness, 12 (7), 1748-1756. doi: 10.1007/s12671-021-01637-1
Matos, Marcela, McEwan, Kirsten, Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Steindl, Stanley R., Ferreira, Nuno, Linharelhos, Mariana, Rijo, Daniel, Asano, Kenichi, Gregório, Sónia, Márquez, Margarita G., Vilas, Sara P., Brito-Pons, Gonzalo, Lucena-Santos, Paola, da Silva Oliveira, Margareth, de Souza, Erika Leonardo, Llobenes, Lorena, Gumiy, Natali, Costa, Maria Ileana, Habib, Noor, Hakem, Reham, Khrad, Hussain, Alzahrani, Ahmad, Cheli, Simone, Petrocchi, Nicola, Tholouli, Elli, Issari, Philia, Simos, Gregoris, Lunding-Gregersen, Vibeke ... Gilbert, Paul (2021). Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID-19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 28 (6) cpp.2601, 1-17. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2601
Steindl, Stanley R., Tellegen, Cassandra L., Filus, Ania, Seppälä, Emma, Doty, James R. and Kirby, James N. (2021). The compassion motivation and action scales: a self-report measure of compassionate and self-compassionate behaviours. Australian Psychologist, 56 (2), 93-110. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2021.1893110
Compassion mediates poor sleep quality and mental health outcomes
Kim, Jeffrey J., Oldham, Melissa, Fernando, Antonio T. and Kirby, James N. (2021). Compassion mediates poor sleep quality and mental health outcomes. Mindfulness, 12 (5), 1252-1261. doi: 10.1007/s12671-021-01595-8
Kanovský, Martin, Halamová, Júlia, Zuroff, David C., Troop, Nicholas A., Gilbert, Paul, Shahar, Ben, Petrocchi, Nicola, Hermanto, Nicola, Krieger, Tobias, Kirby, James N., Asano, Kenichi, Matos, Marcela, Yu, Fuya, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2021). A multilevel multidimensional finite mixture item response model to cluster respondents and countries: the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 37 (6), 1-12. doi: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000631
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Toumbourou, John W., Carey, Timothy A. and Havighurst, Sophie S. (2020). Innovation, research integrity, and change: a conflict of interest management framework for program developers. Australian Psychologist, 55 (2) ap.12404, 91-101. doi: 10.1111/ap.12404
Validation of the fears of compassion scale in a Chinese cultural context
Guo, Mingchun, Wang, Jingyun, Day, Jamin and Kirby, James N. (2020). Validation of the fears of compassion scale in a Chinese cultural context. Mindfulness, 12 (3), 683-692. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01534-z
Sanders, Matthew R., Spry, Carmen S., Tellegen, Cassandra L., Kirby, James N., Metzler, Carol M. and Prinz, Ronald J. (2020). Development and validation of fidelity monitoring and enhancement in an evidence-based parenting program. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 47 (4), 569-580. doi: 10.1007/s11414-020-09713-5
Neural and self-report markers of reassurance: a generalized additive modelling approach
Kim, Jeffrey J., Henderson, Trent, Best, Talitha, Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020). Neural and self-report markers of reassurance: a generalized additive modelling approach. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11 566141, 566141. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.566141
Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels
Walton, Courtney C., Baranoff, John, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James (2020). Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50 101733, 101733. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101733
Attachment styles modulate neural markers of threat and imagery when engaging in self-criticism
Kim, Jeffrey J., Kent, Kirsty M., Cunnington, Ross, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Attachment styles modulate neural markers of threat and imagery when engaging in self-criticism. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 13776, 13776. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70772-x
Physiological fractals: visual and statistical evidence across timescales and experimental states
Kim, Jeffrey J., Parker, Stacey, Henderson, Trent and Kirby, James N. (2020). Physiological fractals: visual and statistical evidence across timescales and experimental states. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 17 (167) 20200334, 20200334. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0334
Compassion focused therapy for body weight shame: a mixed methods pilot trial
Carter, Alicia, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Compassion focused therapy for body weight shame: a mixed methods pilot trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 28 (1) cpp.2488, 93-108. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2488
Hart, Jemma S., Kirby, James N., Steindl, Stanley R., Kane, Robert T. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2020). Insecure striving, self-criticism, and depression: the prospective moderating role of fear of compassion from others. Mindfulness, 11 (7), 1699-1709. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01385-8
Neurophysiological and behavioural markers of compassion
Kim, Jeffrey J., Parker, Stacey L., Doty, James R., Cunnington, Ross, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Neurophysiological and behavioural markers of compassion. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 6789, 6789. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63846-3
Austin, J., Drossaert, C. H. C., Schroevers, M. J., Sanderman, R., Kirby, J. N. and Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2020). Compassion-based interventions for people with long-term physical conditions: a mixed methods systematic review. Psychology and Health, 36 (1), 1-27. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1699090
Kim, Jeffrey J., Gerrish, Ruby, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 94 (S2) papt.12270, 188-211. doi: 10.1111/papt.12270
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Kirby, James N. (2020). A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29 (3), 605-619. doi: 10.1007/s10826-019-01553-y
Kim, Jeffrey J., Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020). The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 108, 112-123. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.023
Kirby, James N. (2019). Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention. Education Sciences, 10 (1) 3, 3. doi: 10.3390/educsci10010003
Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes
Kirby, James N., Seppälä, Emma, Wilks, Matti, Cameron, C. Daryl, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Nguyen, Dong T. H., Misra, Supriya, Simon-Thomas, Emiliana, Feinberg, Matthew, Martin, Daniel and Doty, James (2019). Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes. Current Psychology, 40 (10), 4884-4894. doi: 10.1007/s12144-019-00405-8
Sanders, Matthew R., De Caestecker, Linda, McLeod, Stephen, Day, Jamin J., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina and Kirby, James (2019). Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017). BMC Pediatrics, 19 (1) 269, 269. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1570-z
Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, MacArthur, Michael and Kirby, James N. (2019). Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness. Mindfulness, 10 (11), 2259-2271. doi: 10.1007/s12671-019-01191-x
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems. Mindfulness, 10 (6), 1006-1016. doi: 10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8
Kirby, James N., Grzazek, Olivia and Gilbert, Paul (2019). The role of compassionate and self-image goals in predicting psychological controlling and facilitative parenting styles. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (JUN) 1041, 1041. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01041
Kirby, James N., Sampson, Hayley, Day, Jamin, Hayes, Alan and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 238-260. doi: 10.1111/papt.12223
Kirby, James N., Day, Jamin and Sagar, Vinita (2019). The ‘Flow’ of compassion: A meta-analysis of the fears of compassion scales and psychological functioning. Clinical Psychology Review, 70, 26-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2019.03.001
Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Petrocchi, Nicola, Hermanto, Nicola, Krieger, Tobias, Kirby, James N., Asano, Kenichi, Matos, Marcela, Yu, FuYa, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Shahar, Ben, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2019). Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 37 (4), 411-444. doi: 10.1007/s10942-019-00319-1
Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction
Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2019). Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 151-163. doi: 10.1111/papt.12225
Dev, Vinayak, Fernando, Antonio T., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2019). Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 90, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.09.015
Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind
Slepian, Michael L., Kirby, James N. and Kalokerinos, Elise K. (2019). Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind. Emotion, 20 (2), 323-328. doi: 10.1037/emo0000542
Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018). Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context. Developmental Psychology, 55 (4), 709-721. doi: 10.1037/dev0000667
Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications
Steindl, Stanley R., Kirby, James N. and Tellegan, Cassandra (2018). Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications. Clinical Psychologist, 22 (3), 265-279. doi: 10.1111/cp.12146
To whom do we confide our secrets?
Slepian, Michael L. and Kirby, James N. (2018). To whom do we confide our secrets?. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44 (7), 1008-1023. doi: 10.1177/0146167218756032
Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Hermanto, Nicola, Petrocchi, Nicola, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Kirby, James N., Shahar, Ben, Krieger, Tobias, Matos, Marcela, Asano, Kenichi, Yu, FuYa, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2018). The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 40 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s10862-018-9686-2
The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children
Green, Mitchell, Kirby, James N. and Nielsen, Mark (2018). The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 36 (4), 673-678. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12252
Kirby, James N. and Baldwin, Sarah (2018). A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation to help parents respond to difficult child behavior vignettes. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27 (5), 1614-1628. doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0989-9
Children imitate antisocial in-group members
Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018). Children imitate antisocial in-group members. Developmental Science, 21 (6) e12675, e12675. doi: 10.1111/desc.12675
Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants
Mitchell, Amy E., Whittingham, Koa, Steindl, Stanley and Kirby, James (2018). Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 21 (5), 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s00737-018-0829-y
A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions
Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Steindl, Stanley R. (2017). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 48 (6), 778-792. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.06.003
Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice
Kirby, James N. (2017). Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 90 (3), 432-455. doi: 10.1111/papt.12104
Kirby, James N. and Kirby, Peter G. (2017). An evolutionary model to conceptualise masculinity and compassion in male teenagers: a unifying framework. Clinical Psychologist, 21 (2), 74-89. doi: 10.1111/cp.12129
Kirby, James N. and Laczko, David (2017). A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation for young adults living at home with their parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26 (7), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0692-x
The current and future role of heart rate variability for assessing and training compassion
Kirby, James N., Doty, James R., Petrocchi, Nicola and Gilbert, Paul (2017). The current and future role of heart rate variability for assessing and training compassion. Frontiers in Public Health, 5 40, 40. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00040
Pepping, Christopher A., Lyons, Anthony, McNair, Ruth, Kirby, James N., Petrocchi, Nicola and Gilbert, Paul (2017). A tailored compassion-focused therapy program for sexual minority young adults with depressive symotomatology: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 5 (1) 5, 5. doi: 10.1186/s40359-017-0175-2
A clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches: childhood disruptive disorders
Kirby, James N., Sanders, Matthew R. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2016). A clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches: childhood disruptive disorders. Clinical Psychologist, 20 (3), 154-155. doi: 10.1111/cp.12076
The role of mindfulness and compassion in enhancing nurturing family environments
Kirby, James N. (2016). The role of mindfulness and compassion in enhancing nurturing family environments. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 23 (2), 142-157. doi: 10.1111/cpsp.12149
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015). Erratum to: using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (5), 1527-1527. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0164-0
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2015). Surviving or thriving: quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions. Prevention Science, 16 (3), 421-431. doi: 10.1007/s11121-014-0475-1
The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015). The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren. Prevention Science, 16 (3), 486-486. doi: 10.1007/s11121-015-0546-y
Kirby, James N. (2015). The Potential Benefits of Parenting Programs for Grandparents: Recommendations and Clinical Implications. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (11), 3200-3212. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0123-9
A public-health approach to improving parenting and promoting children's well-being
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2014). A public-health approach to improving parenting and promoting children's well-being. Child Development Perspectives, 8 (4), 250-257. doi: 10.1111/cdep.12086
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014). Corrigendum to "A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents". Behaviour Research and Therapy, 63, 185-185. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2014.11.002
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014). Erratum to "The triple P-positive parenting program: A systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support" [CPR (2014) 337-357]. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 (8), 658-658. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.001
Giving voice to working mothers: a consumer informed study to program design for working mothers
Haslam, Divna M., Patrick, Pamela and Kirby, James N. (2014). Giving voice to working mothers: a consumer informed study to program design for working mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (8), 2463-2473. doi: 10.1007/s10826-014-0049-7
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014). The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 (4), 337-357. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2014.04.003
A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014). A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 52 (1), 35-44. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.11.002
Leung, Cynthia, Sanders, Matthew, Fung, Barbara and Kirby, James (2014). The effectiveness of the Grandparent Triple P program with Chinese families: a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of Family Studies, 20 (2), 104-117. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2014.11082000
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2013). Using a behavioural family intervention to produce a three-generational benefit on family outcomes: a case report. Behaviour Change, 30 (4), 249-261. doi: 10.1017/bec.2013.24
The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2013). The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren. Prevention Science, 15 (5), 777-787. doi: 10.1007/s11121-013-0428-0
Sanders, Matthew R., Pickering, John A., Kirby, James N., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina, Mazzucchelli, Trevor, Ralph, Alan and Sofronoff, Kate (2012). A commentary on evidenced-based parenting programs: redressing misconceptions of the empirical support for Triple P. BMC Medicine, 10 (1) 145, 145.1-145.5. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-10-145
Using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2012). Using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21 (4), 626-636. doi: 10.1007/s10826-011-9514-8
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2012). Consumer engagement and the development, evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs.. Behavior Therapy, 43 (2), 234-250. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2011.01.005
Consumer involvement and population based parenting interventions
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2010). Consumer involvement and population based parenting interventions. Administration, 58 (2), 33-50.
Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board
Sanders, Matthew R., Mallett, Cliff J., Kirby, James, Rynne, Steven and Marshall, David (2019). Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
The development and evaluation of a parenting program for grandparents: Grandparent Triple P
Kirby, James Nicholas (2013). The development and evaluation of a parenting program for grandparents: Grandparent Triple P. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.
A Compassionate Decision-Making Model to Increase Compassionate Behavior
(2022–2024) Mind & Life PEACE Grants Program
(2021–2025) YoungCare Ltd
Neural Correlates of Compassion vs. Kindness
(2021–2022) The Compassionate Mind Foundation
(2019–2021) Rugby League Research Projects
(2019–2021) University of Newcastle
Creating a thriving community for young people through junior rugby league
(2017–2019) Rugby League Research Projects
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on The Experience of Compassion
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Feasibility and pilot testing of a compassion-focused intervention in young offenders and children in care
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Mindful and compassionate nature connection to increase the well-being of family members caring for people living with dementia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
An examination of men's social reactions to disclosures of non-physical intimate partner violence
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
The Neurophysiological Correlates of Compassion
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Nurturing ChAMPs: Child and Adolescent mental health and Maternal wellbeing following Preterm birth.
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The role of antisocial behaviour and group membership on children's imitation across development
(2018) 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.
Deepening Self-Compassion
This PhD project is aimed at examining novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion. The project involves multi-modal approaches, including the use of video-recording, physiology, and self-report measures
Examining an online Compassion Skills Training intervention
This PhD project will examine a newly created online Compassion Skills Training intervention, which includes six modules. The progam is self-directed and aimed towards populations that have difficulty with self-criticism and shame.