School of Psychology

Dr. Kristy Johnstone

Lecturer

RESEARCH:
Kristy’s PhD research focuses on the treatment mechanisms underlying anxiety reduction, specifically the mechanisms underlying therapeutic exposure with phobic individuals.  In her research Kristy has developed a model to explain how distraction during exposure facilitates anxiety reduction based on cognitive models of emotion and working memory models.  Kristy is also conducting research on the etiology and prevention of eating disorders, specifically how characteristics like perfectionism and self-esteem relate to dysfunctional attitudes and behaviours around eating, and how these can be modified in prevention.  Kristy is also interested in the role of parenting, attachment and emotional regulation in various types of child psychopathology.

ACTIVITIES:
Kristy also works as a clinical psychologist for the Department of Health where she works as a Clinical Psychologist in child and adolescent mental health.

TEACHING:
Undergraduate: Lecturers in a range of undergraduate units on abnormal behaviour and clinical psychology

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

• Johnstone, K. A., (2001).  Living with the enemy.  New Scientist, 2306, 52
  
  

• Johnstone, K. A., & Page, A.C.  (2004).  Attention to phobic stimuli during exposure: the effect of  distraction on anxiety reduction, self-efficacy and perceived control.  Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 249-275.
  
  
• Johnstone, K. A. & Page, A. C. (2006).  The effect of distraction on fear reduction: how working memory load and level of fear interact.  Manuscript in preparation.
  
  
• Carey, R., & Johnstone, K. A.  (2006).  Body Dissatisfaction, Perfectionism, Self-Esteem and Perceived Control as Predictors of Eating Disordered Behaviour: An Interactive Model.  Manuscript submitted for publication.