Research Interests

My research is centred around three main topics. First, self-regulation and health behaviour (particularly in the eating domain). Many studies have shown that people experience difficulties in acting upon their good intentions and fail to attain their goals (especially with respect to intentions and goals in the health domain). Successful goal striving requires some form of planning of how to reach the goal and requires self-control in resisting temptations. Second, partner relations and adaptation to serious illness (in particular cancer and diabetes). The onset of a serious illness like cancer in one partner not only affects that partner’s life, but also may have consequences for the healthy partner and accordingly for the intimate relationship between both partners. Moreover, support provided by the spouse or partner may impact on self-management behaviours by the patient (of particular importance in diabetes). Third, since the Canterbury earthquakes I have become interested in how people cope with traumatic events. In particular, I am looking at correlates of post-earthquake stress, post traumatic growth, and changes in eating habits in a sample of Christchurch residents who have been participating in my research since 2007. I am also involved in a project looking at how couples cope with the aftermath of the earthquakes.