Lois J. Surgenor , Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch, University of Otago, New Zealand

Professor

MA DipClinPsych (Cant) PhD (Otago) FNZCCPsych

Professor Lois Surgenor’s research interests are in the area of eating disorders, psychological aspects of long-term and life-shortening medical conditions, and health workforce well-being and regulation.

She publishes in a variety of fields including eating disorders, rehabilitation, and workforce health. Professor Surgenor supervises research projects across a range of health and mental health areas. She encourages students to contact her directly to discuss possible research proposals and supervision.

Professor Surgenor is the Associate Dean (Academic) in the Health Sciences Division. She is Associate Editor of the Journal of Eating Disorders and on the Editorial Board of Eating Disorders, Journal of Treatment and Prevention.

She served on the NZ Psychologist Board between 2002–2011 and previous chair of the Health Regulatory Authorities of New Zealand.

Professor Surgenor is course convenor of a number of postgraduate papers including

As a registered clinical psychologist for just over 30 years, Professor Surgenor has worked in a variety of mental health and acute medical settings, as well as private practice.

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Publications

Snell, D. L., Faulkner, J. W., Williman, J. A., Silverberg, N. D., Theadom, A., Surgenor, L. J., Hackney, J., & Siegert, R. J. (2023). Fear avoidance and return to work after mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2180663

Surgenor, L., Diesfeld, K., Rychert, M., Kelly, O., & Kersey, K. (2022). Criminal convictions of disciplined health practitioners in New Zealand. Journal of Law & Medicine, 29(1), 117-128.

Surgenor, L. J., Dhakal, S., Watterson, R., Lim, B., Kennedy, M., Bulik, C., … Jordan, J. (2022). Psychosocial and financial impacts for carers of those with eating disorders in New Zealand. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 37. doi: 10.1186/s40337-022-00565-2

Holloway, A., & Surgenor, L. (2021, July). Discussing professional misconduct by medical professionals. Panel discussion at the New Zealand Medico-Legal Congress: Analysing the Interface of Clinical and Legal Practice, Healthcare Policy, Regulation, and Biomedical Ethics, Wellington, New Zealand.

Macleod, C., Surgenor, L. J., Levack, W., Hackney, J., Theadom, A., Siegert, R. J., … Snell, D. L. (2021). Patient and clinician experiences of a computerised cognitive battery for use after concussion: A preliminary qualitative study. Brain Impairment, 22, 189-204. doi: 10.1017/BrImp.2020.14

Surgenor, L. J. (2003). Counting the cost of counting the calories. In M. Maj, K. Halmi, J. J. López-Ibor & N. Sartorius (Eds.), Eating disorders. (pp. 418-419). Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.

Chapter in Book - Research

Surgenor, L. J., & Thornton, C. (2000). Eating disorders and disturbed body image: A view from psychology. In D. Gaskill & F. Sanders (Eds.), The encultured body: Policy implications for healthy body image and disordered eating behaviours. (pp. 106-118). Australia: Queensland University of Technology.

Chapter in Book - Research

Webb, O. J., Deans, E., Jeffries, K., & Surgenor, L. J. (1997). An investigation of the effects of a one-year riding for the disabled programme on some aspects of sensori-motor behaviour and social behaviour: a field experiment. In B. T. Engel (Ed.), Rehabilitation With the Aid of a Horse: a Collection of Studies. (pp. 117-126). Durango, Colorado: Barabara Engle Therapy Services.

Chapter in Book - Research

Beautrais, A. L., & Surgenor, L. J. (2007). Suicidal behaviour and practitioner issues. In I. M. Evans, J. J. Rucklidge & M. O'Driscoll (Eds.), Professional practice of psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 195-210). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Psychological Society.

Chapter in Book - Other

Surgenor, L., & Complaints and Discipline Committee New Zealand Psychologists Board. (2007). Accountability and the complaint process. In I. M. Evans, J. J. Rucklidge & M. O'Driscoll (Eds.), Professional practice of psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 367-376). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Psychological Society.

Chapter in Book - Other

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L., Diesfeld, K., Rychert, M., Kelly, O., & Kersey, K. (2022). Criminal convictions of disciplined health practitioners in New Zealand. Journal of Law & Medicine, 29(1), 117-128.

Journal - Research Article

Diesfeld, K., Surgenor, L., & Rychert, M. (2020). Breaches of New Zealand's health and disability services consumers' rights: Human Rights Review Tribunal decisions. Journal of Law & Medicine, 27(3), 679-692.

Journal - Research Article

Martin, R. A., Graham, F. P., Levack, W. M. M., Taylor, W. J., & Surgenor, L. J. (2020). Exploring how therapeutic horse riding improves health outcomes using a realist framework. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 83(2), 129-139. doi: 10.1177/0308022619865496

Journal - Research Article

Martin, R. A., Taylor, W. J., Surgenor, L. J., Graham, F. P., Levack, W. M. M., & Blampied, N. M. (2020). Evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic horse riding for children and young people experiencing disability: A single-case experimental design study. Disability & Rehabilitation, 42(26), 3734-3743. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1610083

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Martin, R., Surgenor, L. J., Siegert, R. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Melzer, T. R., Anderson, T. J., & Hooper, G. J. (2020). Wrestling with uncertainty after mild traumatic brain injury: A mixed methods study. Disability & Rehabilitation, 42(14), 1942-1953. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1542461

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Diesfeld, K., Kersey, K., Kelly, O., & Rychert, M. (2020). Fifteen years on: What patterns continue to emerge from New Zealand's health practitioners disciplinary tribunal? Journal of Law & Medicine, 28(1), 165-178.

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Snell, D. L., & Dorahy, M. (2020). Factors associated with psychiatric morbidity, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth in paramedic first responders: The role of core beliefs. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17, 1-8. doi: 10.33151/ajp.17.727

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Snell, D. L., Siegert, R. J., Kelly, S., Flint, R., & Coulter, G. (2020). Psychometric characteristics of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) in people undergoing weight loss surgery. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 27, 79-88. doi: 10.1007/s10880-019-09624-4

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Diesfeld, K., & Rychert, M. (2019). Consensual sexual relationships between health practitioners and their patients: An analysis of disciplinary cases from New Zealand. Psychiatry, Psychology & Law, 26(5), 766-782. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2019.1640801

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Martin, R., Macleod, A. D., Surgenor, L. J., Siegert, R. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Melzer, T., Hooper, G. J., & Anderson, T. (2018). Untangling chronic pain and post-concussion symptoms: The significance of depression. Brain Injury, 32(5), 583-592. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1432894

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., & Diesfeld, K. (2018). Outcomes of notifications against psychologists in the New Zealand health regulation context 2004-2015. Journal of Law & Medicine, 25(3), 800-813.

Journal - Research Article

Akarawi, D., Bartrop, R., Surgenor, L., Shanmugam, S., Potter, U., & Touyz, S. (2017). The relationship between spiritual, religious and personal beliefs and disordered eating psychopathology. Translational Developmental Psychiatry, 5(1), 1305719. doi: 10.1080/20017022.2017.1305719

Journal - Research Article

Barakat, S., Maguire, S., Surgenor, L., Donnelly, B., Miceska, B., Fromholtz, K., … Touyz, S. (2017). The role of regular eating and self-monitoring in the treatment of bulimia nervosa: A pilot study of an online guided self-help CBT program. Behavioral Sciences, 7, 39. doi: 10.3390/bs7030039

Journal - Research Article

Maguire, S., Surgenor, L. J., Le Grange, D., Lacey, H., Crosby, R. D., Engel, S. G., … Touyz, S. (2017). Examining a staging model for anorexia nervosa: Empirical exploration of a four stage model of severity. Journal of Eating Disorders, 5, 41. doi: 10.1186/s40337-017-0155-1

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Martin, R., Surgenor, L. J., Siegert, R. J., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2017). What's wrong with me? Seeking a coherent understanding of recovery after mild traumatic brain injury. Disability & Rehabilitation, 39(19), 1968-1975. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1213895

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Siegert, R. J., Surgenor, L. J., Dunn, J. A., & Hooper, G. J. (2016). Evaluating quality of life outcomes following joint replacement: Psychometric evaluation of a short form of the WHOQOL-Bref. Quality of Life Research, 25, 51-61. doi: 10.1007/s11136-015-1044-1

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Surgenor, L. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Williman, J., & Siegert, R. J. (2015). The contribution of psychological factors to recovery after mild traumatic brain injury: Is cluster analysis a useful approach? Brain Injury, 29(3), 291-299. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2014.976594

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Snell, D. L., & Dorahy, M. J. (2015). Posttraumatic stress symptoms in police staff 12-18 months after the Canterbury earthquakes. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(2), 162-166. doi: 10.1002/jts.21991

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Surgenor, L. J., Dorahy, M. J., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2014). Coping and adjustment in New Zealand Police staff 12-18 months after the Canterbury earthquakes: A directed qualitative content analysis. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 43(3), 5-13.

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., Surgenor, L. J., & Siegert, R. J. (2013). Examination of outcome after mild traumatic brain injury: The contribution of injury beliefs and Leventhal's common sense model. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 23(3), 333-362. doi: 10.1080/09658211.2012.758419

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., & Maguire, S. (2013). Assessment of anorexia nervosa: An overview of universal issues and contextual challenges. Journal of Eating Disorders, 1, 29. doi: 10.1186/2050-2974-1-29

Journal - Research Article

Dickie, L., Surgenor, L. J., Wilson, M., & McDowall, J. (2012). The structure and reliability of the Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire. Personality & Individual Differences, 52(8), 865-869. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2012.02.003

Journal - Research Article

Dickie, L., Wilson, M., McDowall, J., & Surgenor, L. J. (2012). What components of perfectionism predict drive for thinness? Eating Disorders, 20(3), 232-247. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.668484

Journal - Research Article

Maguire, S., Touyz, S., Surgenor, L., Crosby, R. D., Engel, S. G., Lacey, H., … Le Grange, D. (2012). The Clinician Administered Staging Instrument for Anorexia Nervosa: Development and psychometric properties. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 45(3), 390-399. doi: 10.1002/eat.20951

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Siegert, R. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., & Surgenor, L. J. (2011). Associations between illness perceptions, coping styles and outcome after mild traumatic brain injury: Preliminary results from a cohort study. Brain Injury, 25(11), 1126-1138. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2011.607786

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Siegert, R. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., & Surgenor, L. J. (2011). Factor structure of the Brief COPE in people with mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 26(6), 468-477. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0b013e3181fc5e1e

Journal - Research Article

Gibb, S. J., Beautrais, A. L., & Surgenor, L. J. (2010). Health-care staff attitudes towards self-harm patients. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(8), 713-720. doi: 10.3109/00048671003671015

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Siegert, R. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., & Surgenor, L. J. (2010). An examination of the factor structure of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire modified for adults with mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury, 24(13-14), 1595-1605. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2010.523048

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D. L., Surgenor, L. J., Hay-Smith, E. J. C., & Siegert, R. J. (2009). A systematic review of psychological treatments for mild traumatic brain injury: An update on the evidence. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 31(1), 20-38. doi: 10.1080/13803390801978849

Journal - Research Article

Soh, N. L.-W., Touyz, S. W., Dobbins, T. A., Surgenor, L. J., Clarke, S., Kohn, M. R., … Walter, G. (2009). Nutrition knowledge in young women with eating disorders in Australia and Singapore: A pilot study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(12), 1178-1184. doi: 10.3109/00048670903279846

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Spearing, R. L., Horn, J., Beautrais, A. L., Mulder, R. T., & Chen, P. (2009). Burnout in hospital-based medical consultants in the New Zealand public health system. New Zealand Medical Journal, 122(1300). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/122-1300/3737/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Clay, H., Surgenor, L. J., & Frampton, C. M. (2008). Assessing emotional and behavioural problems in children: Factors associated with multiple informant consistency in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 37(1), 10-16.

Journal - Research Article

Sanders, J., Pithie, A., Ganly, P., Surgenor, L., Wilson, R., Merriman, E., … Chambers, S. (2008). A prospective double-blind randomized trial comparing intraluminal ethanol with heparinized saline for the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infection in immunosuppressed haematology patients. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 62(4), 809-815. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkn284

Journal - Research Article

Soh, N. L.-W., Touyz, S., Dobbins, T., Surgenor, L., Clarke, S., Kohn, M., … Walter, G. (2008). Body image disturbance in young North European and East Asian women with and without eating disorders in Australia and in Singapore. European Eating Disorders Review, 16(4), 287-296. doi: 10.1002/erv.836

Journal - Research Article

Soh, N. L.-W., Touyz, S., Dobbins, T., Surgenor, L., Clarke, S., Kohn, M., … Walter, G. (2008). Cross-cultural differences in the macronutrient intakes of women with anorexia nervosa in Australia and Singapore. European Eating Disorders Review, 16(6), 427-435. doi: 10.1002/erv.876

Journal - Research Article

Beautrais, A., Fergusson, D., Coggan, C., Collings, C., Doughty, C., Ellis, P., … Horwood, J., … Mulder, R., Poulton, R., & Surgenor, L. (2007). Effective strategies for suicide prevention in New Zealand: A review of the evidence. New Zealand Medical Journal, 120(1251). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/120-1251/2459/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Soh, N. L.-W., Touyz, S., Dobbins, T. A., Surgenor, L. J., Clarke, S., Kohn, M. R., … Walter, G. (2007). Restraint and eating concern in North European and East Asian women with and without eating disorders in Australia and Singapore. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41(6), 536-545.

Journal - Research Article

Soh, N., Surgenor, L. J., Touyz, S., & Walter, G. (2007). Eating disorders across two cultures: Does the expression of psychological control vary? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41, 351-358.

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Maguire, S., Russell, J., & Touyz, S. (2007). Self-liking and self-competence: Relationship to symptoms of anorexia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 15, 139-145.

Journal - Research Article

Snell, D., & Surgenor, L. (2006). An analysis of referees and referrals to a specialist concussion clinic in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1231). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1231/1902/content.pdf

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Horn, J., Hudson, S. M., Adamson, S., & Robertson, P. (2006). Alcohol dependence and psychological sense of control: Refining the links. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 35(3), 146-152.

Journal - Research Article

Surgenor, L. J., Dunn, J., & Horn, J. (2005). Nursing student attitudes to psychiatric nursing and psychiatric disorders in New Zealand. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 14, 103-108.

Journal - Research Article

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