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Professor Gareth Treharne

Gareth Treharne

Email gareth.treharne@otago.ac.nz
Tel 64 3 479 7630

Professor Gareth Treharne’s research interests are in health psychology, illness perceptions, sexuality and gender, and the application of qualitative and quantitative research methods. He has been involved in a range of projects investigating the predictors of well-being among people with chronic illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in collaboration with colleagues in medicine and physiotherapy. He has carried out research into medication adherence and the provision of non-pharmacological interventions, particularly tailored exercise and smoking cessation support. Gareth takes a social justice approach to research, informed by critical theory, reflexivity and targeting inequalities. He has led research into identity, discrimination and well-being in relation to sexuality, gender and ethnicity.

Gareth has been an author of over 100 papers and chapters. He is on the editorial board of Musculoskeletal Care, Qualitative Research in Psychology and Stress & Health, and previously co-edited a special issue of Gay & Lesbian Issues & Psychology Review. He is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, having joined the Society as a Graduate Member in 1999. He is the current Chair of the International Society for Critical Health Psychology and was the Society’s Vice-Chair for 2015-2017 and Secretary for 2009–2015. He has been a past recipient of a Matariki Network of University’s travel award, a Wellcome Trust (UK) Value in People award, a European League Against Rheumatism conference award and a British Society for Rheumatology Young Investigator award. In 2015 he was awarded for exemplary student support by the University of Otago’s Disability Information & Support service.

Gareth joined the Department in 2007 and teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is available to supervise postgraduate students in his areas of interest.

Teaching

Research Interests

  • Health psychology and illness perceptions
  • Treatment adherence and communication
  • Critical theory and social constructionism
  • Reflexivity and research methods

Find out more about Professor Treharne's research interests

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Publications

Reeves, J., Treharne, G. J., Ratima, M., Theodore, R., Edwards, W., & Poulton, R. (2023). A one-size-fits-all approach to data-sharing will not suffice in lifecourse research: A grounded theory study of data-sharing from the perspective of participants in a 50-year-old lifecourse study about health and development. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 23, 118. doi: 10.1186/s12874-023-01940-6

Garcia, C., Grant, E., Treharne, G. J., Arahanga-Doyle, H., Lucassen, M. F. G., Scarf, D., Taumoepeau, M., … Rapsey, C., Skirrow, P., Johnstone, G., Douglas, K., & Faulkner, J. (2023). "I wouldn't know where to start": LGBTQA+ university students' experiences and preferences in mental health care. Proceedings of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) National Conference. Retrieved from https://www.nzccp.co.nz

Dixon, L., Treharne, G., Pettie, M., Bowden, C., Patterson, T., Beres, M., Mirfin-Veitch, B., Shaw, R., Eketone-Kelly, A., & Ashdown, J. (2023). Male survivors of sexual violence and abuse (SVA): Barriers and facilitators to reporting and accessing services. (pp. 1-110). Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Social Development. [Technical/Scientific Report].

Branney, P. E., Brooks, J., Kilby, L., Newman, K., Norris, E., Pownall, M., … Treharne, G. J., & Whitaker, C. M. (2023). Three steps to open science for qualitative research in psychology. Social & Personality Psychology Compass, e12728. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/spc3.12728

Patterson, T. G., Hobbs, L. D., Treharne, G. J., & Beres, M. A. (2022). Seeking of help and support after experiencing sexual harm: Considerations for cisgender-women, cisgender-men and gender-diverse people. In L. Wilson, H. Harcombe, P. Jayakaran, L. Burga, J. Antony, K. Morgaine, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, M. Anwar & T. Milne (Eds.), Proceedings of the 262nd Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: Research Staff Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839

Macleod, C. I., Marx, J., Mnyaka, P., & Treharne, G. J. (Eds.). (2018). The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 463p. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Edited Book - Research

Ashdown, J., Pidduck, P., Neha, T. N., Schaughency, E., Dixon, B., Aitken, C. E., & Treharne, G. J. (2018). The ethics of allowing participants to be named in critical research with indigenous peoples in colonised settings: Examples from health research with Māori. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 273-289). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7_18

Chapter in Book - Research

Hay Smith, J., Brown, M., Anderson, L., & Treharne, G. J. (2018). Blurred researcher-participant boundaries in critical research: Do non-clinicians and clinicians experience similar dual-role tensions? In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 145-161). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Macleod, C. I., Marx, J., Mnyaka, P., & Treharne, G. J. (2018). Ethics in critical research: Stories from the field. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 1-13). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Marx, J., & Treharne, G. J. (2018). Introduction: Researching 'down', 'up', and 'alongside'. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 327-338). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Mirfin-Veitch, B., Conder, J., Treharne, G. J., Hale, L., & Richardson, G. (2018). Challenging methodological and ethical conventions to facilitate research that is responsive to people with learning disabilities. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 355-370). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7_23

Chapter in Book - Research

Smith, C. M., Tumilty, E., Walker, P., & Treharne, G. J. (2018). Non-human animals as research participants: Ethical practice in animal assisted interventions and research in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 99-115). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Treharne, G. J., & Marx, J. (2018). Introduction: Encounters with systems within which critical research is conducted. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 17-28). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Treharne, G. J., Mnyaka, P., Marx, J., & Macleod, C. I. (2018). Traversing ethical imperatives: Learning from stories from the field. In C. I. Macleod, J. Marx, P. Mnyaka & G. J. Treharne (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of ethics in critical research. (pp. 429-453). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-74721-7

Chapter in Book - Research

Tumilty, E., Smith, C. M., Walker, P., & Treharne, G. (2018). Ethics unleashed: Developing responsive ethical practice and review for the inclusion of non-human animal participants in qualitative research. In R. Iphofen & M. Tolich (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research ethics. (pp. 396-410). London, UK: SAGE.

Chapter in Book - Research

Smith, C. M., Treharne, G. J., Mulligan, H., & Hale, L. A. (2016). Using qualitative evidence to develop an intervention for enabling people with chronic disabling conditions to be more physically active. In K. Olson, R. A. Young & I. Z. Schultz (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative health research for evidence-based practice. (pp. 453-472). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2920-7_27

Chapter in Book - Research

Treharne, G. J., & Riggs, D. W. (2015). Ensuring quality in qualitative research. In P. Rohleder & A. C. Lyons (Eds.), Qualitative research in clinical and health psychology. (pp. 57-73). London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Chapter in Book - Research

Hale, E. D., & Treharne, G. J. (2010). Applying psychological interventions in rheumatic disease. In K. Dziedzic & A. Hammond (Eds.), Rheumatology: Evidence-based practice for physiotherapists and occupational therapists. (pp. 151-162). Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone.

Chapter in Book - Other

Hale, E. D., & Treharne, G. J. (2010). Health Psychology. In K. Dziedzic & A. Hammond (Eds.), Rheumatology: Evidence-based practice for physiotherapists and occupational therapists. (pp. 10-11). Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone.

Chapter in Book - Other

Hale, E. D., Treharne, G. J., & Kitas, G. D. (2009). Mood disorders and lupus. In Y. Norton (Ed.), Lupus: Diagnosis and treatment. (pp. 72-76). Romford, UK: LUPUS UK.

Chapter in Book - Other

Reeves, J., Treharne, G. J., Ratima, M., Theodore, R., Edwards, W., & Poulton, R. (2023). A one-size-fits-all approach to data-sharing will not suffice in lifecourse research: A grounded theory study of data-sharing from the perspective of participants in a 50-year-old lifecourse study about health and development. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 23, 118. doi: 10.1186/s12874-023-01940-6

Journal - Research Article

Clay, S., & Treharne, G. J. (2022). The ethics of drug use research and ‘wild self-care’: A dialogue between a postgraduate student and their supervisor. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 19(4), 1094-1116. doi: 10.1080/14780887.2021.2003493

Journal - Research Article

Dixon, L., Treharne, G. J., Celi, E. M., Hines, D. A., Lysova, A. V., & Douglas, E. M. (2022). Examining men's experiences of abuse from a female intimate partner in four English-speaking countries. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(3-4), 1311-1337. doi: 10.1177/0886260520922342

Journal - Research Article

Edwards, W., Hond, R., Ratima, M., Tamati, A., Treharne, G. J., Hond-Flavell, E., Theodore, R., Carrington, S. D., & Poulton, R. (2022). Tawhiti nui, tawhiti roa: tawhiti tūāuriuri, tawhiti tūāhekeheke: A Māori lifecourse framework and its application to longitudinal research. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2113411

Journal - Research Article

Graham, K., Nairn, K., & Treharne, G. J. (2022). Teaching gender and sexual diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand: How hierarchies and surveillance shape what is possible. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 57(2), 351-365. doi: 10.1007/s40841-022-00259-y

Journal - Research Article

Hayward, M., & Treharne, G. J. (2022). Clinical psychology students’ perspectives on involving transgender community members in teaching activities within their training in Aotearoa New Zealand. Psychology of Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity, 9(3), 309-320. doi: 10.1037/sgd0000468

Journal - Research Article

Hond-Flavell, E., Tamati, A., Treharne, G. J., Theodore, R., Kokaua, J., Edwards, W., … Poulton, R., & Ratima, M. (2022). Facilitators of, and barriers to, whānau engagement in kaupapa Māori early years provision: A retrospective survey at a Taranaki-based centre. MAI Journal, 11(1), 18-33. doi: 10.20507/maijournal.2022.11.1.2

Journal - Research Article

Hond-Flavell, E., Treharne, G. J., Tamati, A., Theodore, R., Kokaua, J., Edwards, W., … Poulton, R., & Ratima, M. (2022). Kaupapa Māori early years provision and whānau wellbeing: A retrospective survey at a Taranaki-based centre. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 53(3), 23-35.

Journal - Research Article

Mason, A., Johnstone, G., Riordan, B. C., Lie, C., Rapsey, C., Treharne, G. J., Jang, K., Collings, S., & Scarf, D. (2022). Understanding Aotearoa New Zealand university students intentions to seek help if experiencing mental distress: A comparison of naturalistic and interventional findings. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19, 15836. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315836

Journal - Research Article

Patterson, T., Hobbs, L., Treharne, G. J., & Beres, M. (2022). Seeking of help and support after experiencing sexual harm: Considerations for cisgender women, cisgender men and gender-diverse people. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1562), 56-62. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Journal - Research Article

Tan, K. K. H., Byrne, J. L., Treharne, G. J., & Veale, J. F. (2022). Unmet need for gender-affirming care as a social determinant of mental health inequities for transgender youth in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Journal of Public Health, fdac131. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdac131

Journal - Research Article

Tan, K. K. H., Carroll, R., Treharne, G. J., Byrne, J. L., & Veale, J. F. (2022). "I teach them. I have no choice": Experiences of primary care among transgender people in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 59-72. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz

Journal - Research Article

Treharne, G. J., Carroll, R., Tan, K. K. H., & Veale, J. F. (2022). Supportive interactions with primary care doctors are associated with better mental health among transgender people: Results of a nationwide survey in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Family Practice. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmac005

Journal - Research Article

Treharne, G. J., Gamble Blakey, A., Graham, K., Carrington, S. D., McLachlan, L. A., Withey-Rila, C., Pearman-Beres, L., & Anderson, L. (2022). Perspectives on expertise in teaching about transgender healthcare: A focus group study with health professional programme teaching staff and transgender community members. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(3), 334-354. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2020.1870189

Journal - Research Article

Treharne, G. J., Johnstone, G., Fletcher, B. D., Lamar, R. S. M., White, D., Stebbings, S., & Harrison, A. (2022). Fears about COVID-19 and perceived risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis following the initial lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. Musculoskeletal Care, 20, 290-298. doi: 10.1002/msc.1585

Journal - Research Article

Graham, K., Potterton, H., Mihaere, T., Carrington, B., Treharne, G. J., & Beres, M. A. (2021). Balancing community input and established research: Findings from the development of a sexual violence prevention campaign. Journal of School Violence, 20(3), 288-300. doi: 10.1080/15388220.2021.1897017

Journal - Research Article

Graham, K., Treharne, G. J., Liebergreen, N., Stojanov, Z., Shaw, R., & Beres, M. A. (2021). A qualitative exploration of barriers to university students’ willingness to attend sexual violence prevention workshops. Sex Education, 21(2), 148-160. doi: 10.1080/14681811.2020.1772225

Journal - Research Article

Hayward, M., Treharne, G. J., Liebergreen, N., Graham, K., & Beres, M. (2021). Residual rape myth acceptance among young women who have recently completed a sexual violence prevention workshop. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 46-54.

Journal - Research Article

Hegarty, R. S. M., Conner, T. S., Stebbings, S., Fletcher, B. D., Harrison, A., & Treharne, G. J. (2021). Understanding fatigue-related disability in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: The importance of daily correlates. Arthritis Care & Research, 73(9), 1282-1289. doi: 10.1002/acr.24224

Journal - Research Article

Hond-Flavell, E., Theodore, R., Treharne, G. J., Tamati, A., Edwards, W., Poulton, R., … Ratima, M. (2021). Tangi te kawekaweā: Whānau engagement in Kaupapa Māori early years provision: An exploratory qualitative study. MAI Journal, 10(1), 3-16. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2021.10.1.1

Journal - Research Article

Johnstone, G., Treharne, G. J., Fletcher, B. D., Lamar, R. S. M., White, D., Harrison, A., & Stebbings, S. (2021). Mental health and quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in Aotearoa New Zealand following the COVID-19 national lockdown. Rheumatology International, 41, 1763-1772. doi: 10.1007/s00296-021-04952-x

Journal - Research Article

Poulter, P. I., & Treharne, G. J. (2021). "I'm actually pretty happy with how I am": A mixed-methods study of young women with positive body image. Psychology & Health, 36(6), 649-668. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1820008

Journal - Research Article

Stojanov, Z., Treharne, G. J., Graham, K., Liebergreen, N., Shaw, R., Hayward, M., & Beres, M. (2021). Pro-social bystander sexual violence prevention workshops for first year university students: Perspectives of students and staff of residential colleges. Kōtuitui, 16(2), 432-447. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2021.1906712

Journal - Research Article

Tamati, A., Ratima, M., Hond-Flavell, E., Edwards, W., Hond, R., Korewha, H., Treharne, G. J., Theodore, R., & Poulton, R. (2021). He piki raukura: Understanding strengths-based Māori child development constructs in Kaupapa Māori early years provision. MAI Journal, 10(1), 17-29. doi: 10.20507/MAIJournal.2021.10.1.2

Journal - Research Article

Tamati, A., Treharne, G. J., Kokaua, J., Theodore, R., Ratima, M., Hond-Flavell, E., Edwards, W., … Poulton, R. (2021). He Piki Raukura: Assessing Ao Māori developmental constructs. Part II: Mapping positive change over 10 months among preschool Māori children. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 35-45.

Journal - Research Article

Tamati, A., Treharne, G. J., Theodore, R., Ratima, M., Hond-Flavell, E., Edwards, W., … Poulton, R. (2021). He Piki Raukura: Assessing Ao Māori developmental constructs. Part I: Reliability of novel strengths-based measures among preschool Māori children. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 22-34.

Journal - Research Article

Tan, K. K. H., Treharne, G. J., Ellis, S. J., Schmidt, J. M., & Veale, J. F. (2021). Enacted stigma experiences and protective factors are strongly associated with mental health outcomes of transgender people in Aotearoa/New Zealand. International Journal of Transgender Health, 22(3), 269-280. doi: 10.1080/15532739.2020.1819504

Journal - Research Article

Aldaz, B. E., Hegarty, R. S. M., Conner, T. S., Perez, D., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). Correlates of cancer illness uncertainty, experiential avoidance of uncertainty and well-being during oncology treatment with curative intent. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 49(2), 15-22.

Journal - Research Article

Beres, M. A., Stojanov, Z., Graham, K., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). Sexual assault experiences of university students and disclosure to health professionals and others. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1523), 55-64. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Carrington, S. D., Treharne, G. J., & Moffat, S. M. (2020). Job satisfaction and career prospects of Oral Health Therapists in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A research update and call for further research in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Dental & Oral Health Therapy, 8(2), 8-13.

Journal - Research Article

Chan, S. J., Stamp, L. K., Liebergreen, N., Ndukwe, H., Marra, C., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). Tapering biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study of patient perspectives. Patient, 13, 225-234. doi: 10.1007/s40271-019-00403-9

Journal - Research Article

Hegarty, R. S. M., Fletcher, B. D., Conner, T. S., Stebbings, S., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). Acceptance and commitment therapy for people with rheumatic disease: Existing evidence and future directions. Musculoskeletal Care, 18, 330-341. doi: 10.1002/msc.1464

Journal - Research Article

Kibblewhite, J. R., Treharne, G. J., Stebbings, S., & Hegarty, R. S. M. (2020). Enjoyment of exercise among people with arthritis: An inductive thematic analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 25(6), 766-779. doi: 10.1177/1359105317733320

Journal - Research Article

Muir, J., Hegarty, R. S. M., Stebbings, S., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). Exploring the role of online health information and social media in the illness experience of arthritis-related fatigue: A focus group study. Musculoskeletal Care, 18(4), 501-509. doi: 10.1002/msc.1494

Journal - Research Article

Tan, K. K. H., Treharne, G. J., Ellis, S. J., Schmidt, J. M., & Veale, J. F. (2020). Gender minority stress: A critical review. Journal of Homosexuality, 67(10), 1471-1489. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2019.1591789

Journal - Research Article

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