PhD Candidate
BSc (Hons)
Aaron is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute, and conducts his research as part of the Psychology of Active, Healthy Living (PAHL) and the Mental Health and Exercise (MHEX) research groups. In 2020, Aaron completed his honours research: a randomised controlled trial examining the effects of physical literacy-related professional development for primary school teachers. Aaron’s research interests are health promotion, physical activity, and mental health. Specifically, Aaron’s PhD research focuses on improving mental health outcomes in children in out-of-home care. Aaron has a strong interest in empowering at-risk children, and the potential for sport and physical activity involvement to positively contribute to the development of children and young people.
Outside of research, Aaron keeps busy through playing and watching soccer and basketball.
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Publications
November 2023
The Stride program: Feasibility and pre-to-post program change of an exercise service for university students experiencing mental distress
Rates of mental illness are disproportionately high for young adult and higher education (e.g., university student) populations. As such, universities and tertiary institutions often devote significant efforts to services and programs that support and treat mental illness and/or mental distress. However, within that portfolio of treatment approaches, structured exercise has been relatively underutilised and greater research attention is needed to develop this evidence base.
Published research Youth mental health Psychology of Active, Healthy Living Mental health Physical activityJuly 2022Primary school teacher outcomes from online professional development for physical literacy: A randomised controlled trial
Primary (or elementary) school teachers are often relied upon to provide children with opportunities for physical literacy development; however, many of these teachers feel they lack the skills to effectively promote or ‘teach’ physical literacy.
Published research Early Childhood Development Kids Rehab Research WA Psychology of Active, Healthy Living -
Education and Qualifications