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Health Sciences profile

Dr Matthew Jenkins

PositionSenior Research Fellow
DepartmentDepartment of Psychological Medicine (Wellington)
Qualifications
  • PhD in Physical Education – Applied Exercise Psychology (University of Otago, 2014–2017)
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology (Staffordshire University, 2010–2012)
  • BSc Psychology (University of Birmingham, 2002–2005)
Research summaryMental health and psychological well-being, health behaviour change, co-design, and motivation
MembershipsSport and Exercise Science New Zealand

Research

Areas of research interest:

  • Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The effects of physical activity on health (mental, physical, and social) and, in particular nature-based physical activity
  • Motivational theory (self-determination theory, acceptance and commitment therapy)
  • Behaviour change and motivation for health behaviours in the general population and those with specific (those living with serious mental illness)
  • Health service user experiences and co-design
  • Qualitative and quantitative methodologies

Matthew is currently leading projects that investigate the physical health of people living with serious mental illness, including the co-design of a healthy lifestyle programme for young people experiencing first episode psychosis, funded by Otago Division of Health Sciences and Lotteries Health Research grants.

Additional details

Host of Otago-funded radio show / podcast:
One in Four

Publications

Creagh, E., Jenkins, M., Huthwaite, M., & Skirrow, P. (2023). Moving in the margins: A qualitative study into the role of physical activity in marginalised communities. Journal of Sport & Exercise Science, 7(1), 35-43. doi: 10.36905/jses.2023.01.05

Perry, M. A., Jones, B., Jenkins, M., Devan, H., Neill, A., & Ingham, T. (2023). Health system factors affecting the experience of non-invasive ventilation provision of people with neuromuscular disorders in New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 20, 4758. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20064758

Perry, M. A., Jenkins, M., Jones, B., Bowick, J., Shaw, H., Robinson, E., … Neill, A., & Ingham, T. (2022). “Me and ‘that’ machine”: The lived experiences of people with neuromuscular disorders using non-invasive ventilation. Disability & Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2076939

Beaglehole, B., Williman, J., Bell, C., Stanley, J., Jenkins, M., Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Rapsey, C., & Every-Palmer, S. (2022). Thriving in a pandemic: Determinants of excellent wellbeing among New Zealanders during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS ONE, 17(3), e0262745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262745

Jenkins, M., Lee, C., Houge Mackenzie, S., Hargreaves, E. A., Hodge, K., & Calverley, J. (2022). Nature-based physical activity and hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing: The mediating roles of motivational quality and nature relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 783840. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.783840

Creagh, E., Jenkins, M., Huthwaite, M., & Skirrow, P. (2023). Moving in the margins: A qualitative study into the role of physical activity in marginalised communities. Journal of Sport & Exercise Science, 7(1), 35-43. doi: 10.36905/jses.2023.01.05

Journal - Research Article

Perry, M. A., Jones, B., Jenkins, M., Devan, H., Neill, A., & Ingham, T. (2023). Health system factors affecting the experience of non-invasive ventilation provision of people with neuromuscular disorders in New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 20, 4758. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20064758

Journal - Research Article

Beaglehole, B., Williman, J., Bell, C., Stanley, J., Jenkins, M., Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Rapsey, C., & Every-Palmer, S. (2022). Thriving in a pandemic: Determinants of excellent wellbeing among New Zealanders during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS ONE, 17(3), e0262745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262745

Journal - Research Article

Becker, I., Maleka, M. D., Stewart, A., Jenkins, M., & Hale, L. (2022). Community reintegration post-stroke in New Zealand: Understanding the experiences of stroke survivors in the lower South Island. Disability & Rehabilitation, 44(12), 2815-2822. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1839792

Journal - Research Article

Bell, C., Williman, J., Beaglehole, B., Stanley, J., Jenkins, M., Gendall, P., Rapsey, C., & Every-Palmer, S. (2022). Psychological distress, loneliness, alcohol use and suicidality in New Zealanders with mental illness during a strict COVID-19 lockdown. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56(7), 800-810. doi: 10.1177/00048674211034317

Journal - Research Article

Gomes, I. C., de O. Tavares, V. D., Oliveira Neto, L., Agrícola, P. M. D., Jenkins, M., Smith, L., & de Oliveira Duarte, Y. A. (2022). Associations between levels of physical activity and mortality in older adults: A prospective cohort study. Sport Sciences for Health, 18, 1061-1070. doi: 10.1007/s11332-021-00891-z

Journal - Research Article

Jenkins, M., Lee, C., Houge Mackenzie, S., Hargreaves, E. A., Hodge, K., & Calverley, J. (2022). Nature-based physical activity and hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing: The mediating roles of motivational quality and nature relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 783840. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.783840

Journal - Research Article

Perry, M. A., Jenkins, M., Jones, B., Bowick, J., Shaw, H., Robinson, E., … Neill, A., & Ingham, T. (2022). “Me and ‘that’ machine”: The lived experiences of people with neuromuscular disorders using non-invasive ventilation. Disability & Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2076939

Journal - Research Article

Bell, C., Williman, J., Beaglehole, B., Stanley, J., Jenkins, M., Gendall, P., Rapsey, C., & Every-Palmer, S. (2021). Challenges facing essential workers: A cross-sectional survey of the subjective mental health and well-being of New Zealand healthcare and 'other' essential workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. BMJ Open, 11(7), e048107. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048107

Journal - Research Article

Every-Palmer, S., Cunningham, R., Jenkins, M., & Bell, E. (2021). The Christchurch mosque shooting, the media, and subsequent gun control reform in New Zealand: A descriptive analysis. Psychiatry, Psychology & Law, 28(2), 274-285. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2020.1770635

Journal - Research Article

Hale, L. A., Jenkins, M. L., Mayland, B., Buttery, Y., Norris, P., Butler, M., … Kayes, N. (2021). Living with dementia: The felt worth of support workers. Ageing & Society, 41, 1453-1473. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X19001636

Journal - Research Article

Hargreaves, E. A., Lee, C., Jenkins, M., Calverley, J. R., Hodge, K., & Houge Mackenzie, S. (2021). Changes in physical activity levels pre-, during and post-lockdown COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand and the explanatory role of daily hassles. Frontiers in Psychology, 642954, 642954. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.642954

Journal - Research Article

Jenkins, M., Hoek, J., Jenkin, G., Gendall, P., Stanley, J., Beaglehole, B., Bell, C., Rapsey, C., & Every-Palmer, S. (2021). Silver linings of the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. PLoS ONE, 16(4), e0249678. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249678

Journal - Research Article

Jenkins, M., Houge Mackenzie, S., Hodge, K., Hargreaves, E. A., Calverley, J. R., & Lee, C. (2021). Physical activity and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown: Relationships with motivational quality and nature contexts. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 637576. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.637576

Journal - Research Article

Tavares, V. D. O., Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Jenkins, M., Rego, M. L. M., Galvāo-Coelho, H. L., & Cabral, D. A. R. (2021). Does being overweight play a role in the reduced inhibitory control of patients receiving treatment for substance use disorder? Physiology & Behavior, 241, 113587. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113587

Journal - Research Article

Every-Palmer, S., Jenkins, M., Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Beaglehole, B., Bell, C., Williman, J., Rapsey, C., & Stanley, J. (2020). Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and wellbeing in New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 15(11), e0241658. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241658

Journal - Research Article

Hargreaves, E. A., Hayr, K. T., Jenkins, M., Perry, T., & Peddie, M. (2020). Interrupting sedentary time in the workplace using regular short activity breaks: Practicality from an employee perspective. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 62(4), 317-324. doi: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001832

Journal - Research Article

Jenkins, M., Hargreaves, E. A., & Hodge, K. (2020). Examining the relationships among cognitive acceptance, behavioral commitment, autonomous extrinsic motivation, and physical activity. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 42(3), 177-184. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2018-0276

Journal - Research Article

Hale, L., Mayland, E., Jenkins, M., Buttery, Y., Norris, P., Butler, M., … Ngocha-Chaderopa, E., … Kayes, N. (2019). Constructing normalcy in dementia care: Carers' perceptions of their roles and the supports they need. Gerontologist, 60(5), 905-915. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnz151

Journal - Research Article

Jenkins, M., Hargreaves, E. A., & Hodge, K. (2019). The role of psychological flexibility in physical activity maintenance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 41, 185-193. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2018-0311

Journal - Research Article

Gendall, P., Hoek, J., Stanley, J., Jenkins, M., & Every-Palmer, S. (2021). Changes in tobacco use during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand [Brief report]. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 23(5), 866-871. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntaa257

Journal - Research Other

Maddison, R., Hargreaves, E. A., Jiang, Y., Calder, A. J., Wyke, S., Gray, C. M., … Jenkins, M., & Marsh, S. (2020). Rugby Fans in Training New Zealand (RUFIT-NZ): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle program for overweight men delivered through professional rugby clubs in New Zealand. Trials, 21, 139. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-4038-4

Journal - Research Other

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