Associate Professor Karen Turner
Principal Research Fellow
kturner@psy.uq.edu.au
Karen Turner is a clinical psychologist and research academic. She is Deputy Director (Programs and Innovation) at the Parenting and Family Support Centre. Her research activity concerns the nature, causes, prevention and treatment of behavioural and emotional problems in children. She is a foundational co-author of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and has published 13 professional manuals, 20 parent workbooks and tip sheet series, and 14 DVD programs, which are currently being used in 27 countries, in 20 languages. She has also co-written television segments and four interactive online parenting programs. She has clinical and research experience relating to the prevention and treatment of a variety of childhood behavioural and emotional problems, including work with feeding disorders, pain syndromes and conduct problems. Her doctoral research focused on the development and evaluation of brief primary care interventions in the prevention of behaviour disorders in children, and the subsequent dissemination of these interventions to the professional community. She has also conducted series of research into: online delivery of parenting programs; the cultural tailoring of mainstream parenting programs for Indigenous families; and enhancing the training and post-training environment for Indigenous professionals. Her current work includes further resource development for primary care settings, early education settings, and an ongoing focus on making evidence-based parenting support programs more accessible for families in low-resource communities.
Creative Works (2)
Research Reports (2)
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. Every parent's family workbook 2nd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. Triple P discussion group workbook: Hassle-free shopping with children. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. M. T. Triple P discussion group workbook: Managing fighting and aggression. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. Presentation guide for Triple P discussion group series 1. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. Facilitator's manual for Triple P discussion groups. Brisbane QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Sanders, M.R. and Turner, K.M.T. Facilitator's manual for Selected Triple P 3rd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. Triple P discussion group workbook: Dealing with disobedience. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Turner, Karen M.T. and Sanders, Matthew R. Triple P discussion group workbook: Developing good bedtime routines 26 ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2011.
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. Every parent's self-help workbook 3rd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2010.
Turner. Karen Mary Thomas, Sanders, Matthew R. and Markie-Dadds, Carol Facilitator's kit for primary care triple P 3 ed. Brisbane, Australia: Triple P International, 2010.
Turner, Karen Mary Thomas, Sanders, Matthew R. and Markie-Dadds, Carol Consultation flip chart for Primary Care Triple P 2 ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International Pty. Ltd., 2010.
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. Every parent's group workbook 3rd ed. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2009.
Turner, K. M. T., Sanders, M. R. and Markie-Dadds, C. Every parent's workbook for Indigenous Triple P. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International Pty, Ltd., 2006.
Sanders, M. R., Turner, K. M. T. and Markie-Dadds, C. The Preschooler Book. Queensland Australia: Triple P International, 2006.
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Turner, Karen Mary Thomas and Sanders, Matthew R. Every parent's supplementary workbook module 4: Maintenance and closure. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2005.
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen Mary Thomas and Markie-Dadds, Carol Every parent's supplementary workbook module 3: Partner support. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2005.
Markie-Dadds, Carol, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen Mary Thomas Every parent's supplementary workbook module 2: Coping skills. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2005.
Turner, Karen Mary Thomas, Sanders, Matthew R. and Markie-Dadds, Carol Every parent's supplementary workbook module 1: Practice. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Triple P International, 2005.
Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. M. T. Triple P tip sheet series for Selected Triple P. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: Triple P International, 2004.
Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C. and Turner, K. Theoretical, Scientific and Clinical Foundations of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: A Population Approach to the Promotion of Parenting Competence. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: The Parenting and Family Support Centre, 2003.
Markie-Dadds, C., Sanders, M. R. and Turner, K. Every Parent's Self-Help Workbook. Milton, QLD, Australia: Families International, 1999.
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2019). The Triple P System: Parenting support for every family. In APA handbook of contemporary family psychology: Family therapy and training (pp. 409-424) Washington, DC United States: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/0000101-025
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2018). The Importance of Parenting in Influencing the Lives of Children. In Handbook of Parenting and Child Development Across the Lifespan (pp. 3-26) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-94598-9_1
Turner, Karen M. T., Dittman, Cassandra, Rusby, Julie C. and Lee, Shawna (2018). Parenting support in an early childhood learning context. In Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzucchelli (Ed.), The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system (pp. 242-251) Sydney, Australia: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0021
Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R., Keown, Louise J. and Shepherd, Matthew (2018). A collaborative partnership adaptation model. In Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzuchelli (Ed.), The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system (pp. 310-320) New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0028
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2017). Triple P – Positive Parenting Program System. In Jay Lebow, Anthony Chambers and Douglas C. Breunlin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy (pp. 1-7) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_376-1
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2017). The international dissemination of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. In John R. Weisz and Alan E. Kazdin (Ed.), Evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents 3rd ed. (pp. 429-448) New York, United States: The Guildford Press.
Turner, Karen M. T., Baker, Sabine and Day, Jamin J. (2017). Technology-Assisted Delivery of Parenting Programs. In Sanders, Matthew R. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (Ed.), The Power of Positive Parenting: Transforming the Lives of Children, Parents, and Communities Using the Triple P System (pp. 294-306) Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0026
Turner, Karen M. T., Hodge, Lauren M., Forster, Michell and McIlduff, Cari D. (2017). Working effectively with indigenous families. In Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzucchelli (Ed.), The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P System (pp. 321-331) Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0029
Turner, Karen M. T. and Metzler, Carol W. (2017). Parenting Support in the Context of Primary Health Care. In Sanders, Matthew R. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (Ed.), The Power of Positive Parenting: Transforming the Lives of Children, Parents, and Communities Using the Triple P System (pp. 231-241) Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0020
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2017). Innovation in parenting programs. In Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzuchelli (Ed.), The power of positive parenting: transforming the lives of children, parents, and communities using the Triple P system (pp. 486-503) New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0045
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and McWilliam, Jenna (2016). The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: a community-wide approach to parenting and family support. In Mark J. Van Ryzin, Karol L. Kumpfer, Gregory M. Fosco and Mark T. Greenberg (Ed.), Family-based prevention programs for children and adolescents: theory, research, and large-scale dissemination (pp. 134-159) New York, NY, United States: Psychology Press.
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2015). Triple P—Positive Parenting Program. In James J. Ponzetti, Jr. (Ed.), Evidence-based parenting education: a global perspective (pp. 225-243) New York, United States: Routledge.
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Markie- Dadds, Carol (2007). Paediatric Psychology and the Treatment of Childhood Disorders. In Jay S. Birnbrauer and Paul R. Martin (Ed.), Clinical Psychology: Profession and Practice in Australia (pp. 287-314) Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Macmillan Education.
Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Turner, K. M. T. and Ralph, A. (2004). Using the Triple P system of intervention to prevent behavioural problems in children and adolescents. In P. Barrett and T. Ollendick (Ed.), Handbook of Interventions that Work with Children and Adolescents: Prevention and Treatment (pp. 489-516) Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley. doi:10.1002/9780470753385.ch20
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Markie- Dadds, Carol (1996). Paediatric psychology and the treatment of childhood disorders. In Paul R. Martin and Jay S. Birnbrauer (Ed.), (pp. 287-314) South Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Macmillan Education.
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Metzler, Carol W. (2019) Applying self-regulation principles in the delivery of parenting interventions. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22 1: 24-42. doi:10.1007/s10567-019-00287-z
Hodge, Lauren M., Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Forster, Michell (2017) Factors that influence evidence-based program sustainment for family support providers in child protection services in disadvantaged communities. Child Abuse and Neglect, 70 134-145. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.05.017
Baker, Sabine, Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Morawska, Alina (2017) A randomized controlled trial evaluating a low-intensity interactive online parenting intervention, Triple P Online Brief, with parents of children with early onset conduct problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 91 78-90. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.01.016
Hodge, Lauren M. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2016) Sustained implementation of evidence-based programs in disadvantaged communities: a conceptual framework of supporting factors. American Journal of Community Psychology, 58 1-2: 192-210. doi:10.1002/ajcp.12082
Hodge, Lauren M., Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Filus, Ania (2016) Sustained implementation support scale: validation of a measure of program characteristics and workplace functioning for sustained program implementation. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 44 3: 1-23. doi:10.1007/s11414-016-9505-z
Love, Susan M., Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Maurange, Marianne, Knott, Theresa, Prinz, Ronald, Metzler, Carol and Ainsworth, Andrew T. (2016) Social media and gamification: engaging vulnerable parents in an online evidence-based parenting program. Child Abuse and Neglect, 53 95-107. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.10.031
Joachim, Sabine, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2015) Erratum: Reducing preschoolers' disruptive behavior in public with a brief parent discussion group. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 46 5: 821. doi:10.1007/s10578-014-0501-3
Turner, Karen M. T., Nicholson, Jan M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014) Erratum: the role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care [The Journal of Primary Prevention], 32, (2011) 95-112 DOI10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1]. Journal of Primary Prevention, 35 6: 457-457. doi:10.1007/s10935-014-0365-0
Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Hodge, Lauren (2014) Issues in Professional Training to Implement Evidence-based Parenting Programs: The Preferences of Indigenous Practitioners. Australian Psychologist, 49 6: 384-394. doi:10.1111/ap.12090
Sanders, Matthew R., Baker, Sabine and Turner, Karen M. T. (2012) A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50 11: 675-684. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.07.004
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, 10 145.1-145.5. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-10-145
Turner, Karen (2012) Clinical handbook of assessing and treating conduct problems in youth. Clinical Psychologist, 16 1: 57-58. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9552.2012.00041.x
Turner, Karen M. T., Nicholson, Jan M. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2011) The role of practitioner self-efficacy, training, program and workplace factors on the implementation of an evidence-based parenting intervention in primary care. Journal of Primary Prevention, 32 2: 95-112. doi:10.1007/s10935-011-0240-1
Joachim, Sabine, Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2010) Reducing preschoolers' disruptive behavior in public with a brief parent discussion group. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 41 1: 47-60. doi:10.1007/s10578-009-0151-z
Turner, Karen M. T., Richards, Mary and Sanders, Matthew R. (2007) Randomised clinical trial of a group parent education programme for Australian Indigenous families. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 43 6: 429-437. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01053.x
Mihalopoulos, Cathrine, Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Murphy-Brennan, Majella and Carter, Rob (2007) Does the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program provide value for money?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41 3: 239-246. doi:10.1080/00048670601172723
Turner, Karen and Sanders, Matthew (2007) Family intervention in Indigenous communities: emergent issues in conducting outcome research. Australasian Psychiatry, 15 Supplement 1: S39-S43. doi:10.1080/10398560701701189
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2006) Help when it's needed first: A controlled evaluation of brief, preventive behavioral family intervention in a primary care setting. Behavior Therapy, 37 2: 131-142. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2005.05.004
Turner, Karen M. T. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2006) Dissemination of evidence-based parenting and family support strategies: Learning from the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program system approach. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 11 2: 176-193. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2005.07.005
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2005) Reflections on the challenges of effective dissemination of behavioural family intervention: Our experience with the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 10 4: 158-169. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00367.x
Sanders, Matthew R., Tully, Lucy A., Turner, Karen M. T., Maher, Clare and McAuliffe, Christine (2003) Training GPs in parent consultation skills: an evaluation of training for the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Australian Family Physician, 32 9: 763-768.
Sanders, Matthew R. and Turner, Karen M. (2002) The Role of the Media and Primary Care in the Dissemination of Evidence-Based Parenting and Family Support Interventions.. The Behavior Therapist, 25 9: 156-166.
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T. and Markie-Dadds, Carol (2002) The Development and Dissemination of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: A Multilevel, Evidence-Based System of Parenting and Family Support. Prevention Science, 3 3: 173-189. doi:10.1023/A:1019942516231
Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen M. T., Wall, Clare R., Waugh, Linda M. and Tully, Lucy A. (1997) Mealtime Behaviour and Parent-Child Interaction: A Comparison of Children with Cystic Fibrosis, Children with Feeding Problems, and Nonclinic Controls. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22 6: 881-900. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/22.6.881
Turner, Karen M. T., Sanders, Matthew R. and Wall, Claire R. (1994) Behavioural parent training versus dietary education in the treatment of children with persistent feeding difficulties. Behaviour Change, 11 4: 242-258. doi:10.1017/S0813483900004514
Turner, K. M. T., Sanders, M. R., Richards, M. and Arthur, N. (2006). Tailoring and evaluating an evidence-based group family intervention program for parents in indigenous communities. In: Katsikitis, Mary, Australian Journal of Psychology; Proceedings The Abstracts of the Joint Conference of the Australian Psychological Society and the New Zealand Psychological Society. The Joint Conference of the Australian Psychological Society and the New Zealand Psychological Society, Sky City Auckland Convention Centre, New Zealand, (201-201). 26-30 September, 2006. doi:10.1080/00049530600940019
Wall, CR, Sanders, MR and Turner, KMT (1996). The eating behaviour, attitude and nutrition knowledge of mothers of children with persistent feeding difficulties. In: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand, Vol 21. 31st Annual Conference of the Nutrition-Society-of-New-Zealand, Dunedin New Zealand, (102-104). Aug, 1996.
Turner, Karen Mary Thomas (2003). Parenting and family support in primary care setting PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.
Turner, K. M. T. and Sanders, M. R. (2013) Triple P Online. Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Triple P International.
Turner, Karen M. T. (2011) Triple P Discussion Group Series 1: session presentations. Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Families International Pty. Ltd..
Turner, Karen (2013) Exploring optimal training processes for Indigenous child protection sector professionals Brisbane, Australia:
Turner, Karen M. T. (2008) Supporting Indigenous health professionals: key issues and supports for the adoption of evidence–based behavioural family intervention in Indigenous communities Not available: