Researcher biography
Dr Tianyi Ma is a Research Fellow (Academic Level B) in the field of Parenting and Family Psychology. His developing program of research examines how family and school contexts interact to shape children's learning and wellbeing, with a particular focus on parental self-efficacy and self-regulation. His work brings together advanced quantitative modelling, evidence synthesis, and intervention research to better understand for whom, under what circumstances, and through which mechanisms parenting supports are effective. He has published 23 refereed journal articles (including 10 as first author) and secured over AU$340,000 in competitive funding as a lead or contributing investigator. He leads projects within a coordinated program of research, working with a team of 22 honours students and research assistants under his supervision. He also contributes to large-scale collaborative research programs. Tianyi serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools and Journal of Child and Family Studies, and sits on multiple editorial boards. His work aims to advance theory development and improve the scalability of evidence-based parenting support.
Publications
Book Chapter
Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi, Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Turner, Karen M. T. (2024). Enhancing outcomes for vulnerable parents, children, and communities using the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program System: Innovations and future directions. Routledge handbook of child and family social work research: knowledge-building, application, and impact. (pp. 217-230) edited by Elizabeth Fernandez, Penelope Welbourne, Bethany Lee and Joyce L. C. Ma. London, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003241492-16
Journal Articles
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi, Hodges, Julie, Allen, Kelly‐Ann, Cobham, Vanessa E., Darmawan, Igusti, Dittman, Cassandra K., Healy, Karyn L., Hepburn, Stevie‐Jae, MacLeod, Lynda M., Teng, Jiachen, Trompf, Madilyn and Warton, William (2026). Can a low‐intensity evidence‐based parenting seminar series promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and families? A cluster randomised trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 67 (6) jcpp.70066, 832-843. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.70066
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2026). Part II: can school-based delivery of an evidence-based parenting program promote the home-school partnership? Parental self-regulation as the mechanism of change. Family Process, 65 (2) e70150. doi: 10.1111/famp.70150
Hidajat, Tarissa J., Hodges, Julie, Ma, Tianyi, Allen, Kelly-Ann, Morawska, Alina, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2026). Exploring school staff perspectives on brief, school-based parenting seminars with a reciprocal school staff component: implications for home-school partnerships. School Mental Health, 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s12310-026-09875-1
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2026). Understanding the interplay among parental involvement, parental self-regulation, and child adjustment: a latent profiles analysis and cross-validation. Journal of School Psychology, 115 101526, 101526-115. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2025.101526
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L, Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R (2026). Part I: can school-based delivery of an evidence-based parenting program promote the home-school partnership? A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. Family Process, 65 (1) e70109, 1-13. doi: 10.1111/famp.70109
Morawska, Alina, Hidajat, Tarissa Judith, Hodges, Julie and Ma, Tianyi (2026). Healthy screen use in schools: how families and schools can work together. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 36 (1) 20556365261420347, 1-7. doi: 10.1177/20556365261420347
Morawska, Alina, Mitchell, Amy E., Etel, Evren, Armstrong, Rebecca, McAuliffe, Tomomi, Ma, Tianyi, McBryde, Cathy and Johnston, Leanne M. (2026). A systematic review of parents’ experiences during their child’s transition to school. Early Childhood Education Journal, 54 (1), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10643-024-01780-z
Johnson, Alicia, Ma, Tianyi, Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2025). Partners in Education Survey: validation of a brief, parent-report home-school partnership measure in Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 177 108455, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108455
Hepburn, Stevie-Jae, Trompf, Madi, Hodges, Julie, MacLeod, Lynda Maree, Ma, Tianyi, Teng, Jiachen, Johnson, Alicia, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew (2025). Creating a positive home-school partnership through professional learning for teachers – a scoping review of the international literature. Teaching and Teacher Education, 165 105127, 105127-165. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2025.105127
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Facilitators, barriers, and enablers of social workers’ utilization of an evidence-based parenting program: An exploratory mixed-method study. Children and Youth Services Review, 166 107922, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107922
Ma, Tianyi, Sanders, Matthew R., Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher, Healy, Karyn L. and Morawska, Alina (2024). Extended Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale (CAPES): inclusion of the peer relationship problems subscale and updated psychometric properties. Australian Psychologist, 59 (6), 533-540. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2024.2411354
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T., Ma, Tianyi, Silverwood, Amy J. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Place-based approach to support children’s development towards sustainable development goals: A scoping review of current effort and future agenda. Children and Youth Services Review, 164 107873, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107873
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Hodges, Julie and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). The associations between parenting self-efficacy and parents’ contributions to the home-school partnership among parents of primary school students: a multilevel meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 36 (3) 93. doi: 10.1007/s10648-024-09937-3
Sanders, Matthew R., M. T. Turner, Karen, Baker, Sabine, Ma, Tianyi, Chainey, Carys, Horstead, Siân K., Wimalaweera, Subodha, Gardner, Susan and Eastwood, John (2024). Supporting families affected by adversity: an open feasibility trial of Family Life Skills Triple P. Behavior Therapy, 55 (3), 621-635. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.09.004
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). The role of parenting self-efficacy on teacher-child relationships and parent-teacher communication: evidence from an Australian national longitudinal study. Journal of School Psychology, 103 101296, 101296. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101296
Moller, Nicholas, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Ma, Tianyi and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Facilitators and barriers of implementation of evidence-based parenting support in educational settings. School Mental Health, 16 (1), 189-206. doi: 10.1007/s12310-023-09629-3
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi, Hodges, Julie, Allen, Kelly-Ann, Cobham, Vanessa E., Darmawan, Igusti, Dittman, Cassandra K., Healy, Karyn L., Hepburn, Stevie-Jae, MacLeod, Lynda M., Teng, Jiachen and Trompf, Madilyn (2023). The thriving kids and parents schools project: protocol of an incomplete stepped wedged cluster randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a Triple P seminar series. BMC Public Health, 23 (1) 2021. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16962-4
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., McWilliam, Jenna and Sanders, Matthew R. (2023). Predicting the sustained implementation of an evidence-based parenting program: a structural equation modelling approach. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 50 (1), 114-127. doi: 10.1007/s10488-022-01226-x
Dean, Julie, Cleary, Anne, Ma, Tianyi, McDaid, Lisa, Pollock, Danielle and Boyle, Frances (2023). Scoping review of nature-based interventions in bereavement care: what are the implications for perinatal loss?. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 8 (1) 100690, 100690. doi: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100690
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2023). Predictors of champion behaviors in an evidence‐based parenting program: A structural equation modeling approach. American Journal of Community Psychology, 71 (1-2), 211-223. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12623
Kelly, Eliza, Day, Jamin J., Hodges, Julie, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Ma, Tianyi, Sanders, Matthew R., Tonge, Bruce, Einfeld, Stewart, Sofronoff, Kate, Gray, Kylie M., Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. and The MHYPeDD Team (2022). Parental Adjustment Scale: Validation of a brief, five-item measure of parental adjustment for use with families of typically developing children and children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in Australia. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 128 104304, 104304. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104304
Ma, Tianyi, Moore, Jane and Cleary, Anne (2022). Climate change impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of young people: a scoping review of risk and protective factors. Social Science and Medicine, 301 114888, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114888
Tellegen, Cassandra L., Ma, Tianyi, Day, Jamin J., Hodges, Julie, Panahi, Babak, Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2022). Measurement properties for a scale assessing self-regulation in parents and parenting practitioners. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31 (6), 1736-1748. doi: 10.1007/s10826-022-02307-z
Conference Papers
Ma, Tianyi (2025). Tailored futures: a systems-contextual approach to supporting every child. 45th Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) Conference: pathways for diversity, equity and personalisation in mental health care, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 19 - 21 November 2025.
Boyle, C., Sanders, M. R., Ma, T., Hodges, J., Allen, K. A., Cobham, V. E., Darmawan, I., Dittman, C. K., Healy, K. L., Hepburn, S. J., MacLeod, L. M., Teng, J., Trompf, M. and Warton, W. (2025). How a school-based, low-intensity, evidence-based parenting program can enhance the well-being of children and families and the home-school partnership: findings from a cluster randomised trial in Australian primary schools [Paper Presentation]. The 45th Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) Conference, Perth, WA, Australia, 16-17 October 2025.
Mazzucchelli, T. G., Morawska, A., Ma, T., Studman, L. and Sanders, M. R. (2025). Innovation in evidence-based parenting and family interventions: responding to the contemporary needs of children young people and their families [Symposium]. The 45th Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 16-17 October 2025.
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew, Ma, Tianyi and Hodges, Julie (2025). Impact of low-intensity parenting seminars: Findings from Australian schools [Oral Presentation]. The European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) Conference, Graz, Austria, 25-29 August.
Kaur, Navreet, Ma, Tianyi, Choi, Yina and Morawska, Alina (2025). A scoping review of parent engagement in online parenting programs [Paper presentation]. Brisbane Mental Health Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 21 August 2025.
Choi, Yina, Ma, Tianyi, Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2025). A latent profile analysis of parent profiles and child mental health [Paper presentation]. Brisbane Mental Health Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 21 August 2025.
Long, Rowena, Moser, Felicity, Macdonald, Doune, Lodge, Jason M., Greco, Sarah, Woolcock, Liz, Ma, Tianyi, Anderson, Kimberley and Shepherd, Kate (2025). Understanding the drivers of success in secondary-to-tertiary transitions. Students Transitions Achievement Retention & Success Conference (STARS), Cairns, QLD Australia, 1 - 2 July 2025.
Hodges, Julie and Ma, Tianyi (2025). School-based parenting programs: child, family, and the home-school partnership outcomes [Roundtable Discussion]. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support 2025 (I-CEPS), Online, 4-7 June 2025.
Asmara, Olifa J. and Ma, Tianyi (2025). The parent-child self-regulation dynamics [Roundtable Discussion] . International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support 2025 (I-CEPS), Online, 4-7 June 2025.
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi and Hodges, Julie (2025). How a school-based, low-intensity, evidence-based parenting program can enhance the well-being of children and families and the home-school partnership: findings from a cluster randomised trial in Australian primary schools [Symposium]. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support 2025 (I-CEPS), Online, 4-7 June 2025.
Asmaram, Olifa J., Ma, Tianyi and Chainey, Carys (2025). The parent-child self-regulation dynamic: insights, impacts, and interventions [Symposium]. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support 2025 (I-CEPS), Online, 4-7 June 2025.
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi and Hodges, Julie (2024). Evaluating the effectiveness of a Triple P seminar series in Australian primary schools: findings from a cluster randomised trial [Paper presentation]. Australian Association for Research in Education 2024 Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 1-5 December 2024.
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Preparing parents to be partners in children’s education: examining the spillover effects of school-based implementation of evidence-based parenting program [Paper Presentation]. Australian Association for Research in Education 2024 Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 1-5 December 2024.
Sanders, Matthew R., Hodges, Julie, Ma, Tianyi and Morawska, Alina (2024). A public health approach to evidence-based parenting support [Symposium]. The 44th Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-18 October 2024.
Sanders, Matthew R., Metzler, Carol W., Ma, Tianyi and Prinz, Ron (2024). Advances in population-based implementation and evaluation of the Triple P System of parenting support [Symposium]. Society for Prevention Research 32nd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC United States, 28-31 May 2024.
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi and Hodges, Julie (2024). Findings from a large-scale evaluation of a low-intensity, parenting seminars series in Australian schools [Paper presentation]. European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) 2024, Nicosia, Cyprus, 27-30 August 2024.
Ma, Tianyi, Chainey, Carys, Sanders, Matthew R. and Dadds, Mark (2023). Enhancing the policy and social impact of evidence-based parenting support [Symposium]. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 43rd National Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 19-20 October 2023.
Ma, Tianyi, Hoang, Nam-Phuong T., Moller, Nicholas and Matthews, Hannah (2023). Strengthening the training and implementation of evidence-based parenting support program: An example of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program [Video poster presentation]. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support (I-CEPS), Online, 6-8 June 2023.
Kirby, Grace, Hodges, Julie and Ma, Tianyi (2023). Families and schools working together to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing [Symposium]. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 6-8 June 2023.
Chainey, Carys, Sanders, Matthew R., Turner, Karen, Baker, Sabine, Ma, Tianyi, Horstead, Sian, Wimalaweera, Subodha, Gardner, Susan and Eastwood, John (2023). Supporting families affected by adversity: Recommendations drawn from the context, development and testing of a novel intervention, Family Life Skills Triple P. International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support, Online, 6-8 June 2023.
Adina, Japheth, Morawska, Alina, Mitchell, Amy E. and Ma, Tianyi (2022). From perinatal care to school involvement: supporting parents and their children’s development through parenting interventions [Symposium]. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 42nd NationalConference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 13-14 October 2022.
Ma, Tianyi, Sanders, Matthew R., Khalid, Amina and Gonzalez, Carolina (2022). Building evidence to improve access and effectiveness of parenting interventions for caregivers, children, and families [Symposium]. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 42nd NationalConference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 13-14 October 2022.
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., McWilliam, Jenna and Sanders, Matthew R. (2022). Predicting the sustained implementation of an evidence-based parenting program. Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 42nd National Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 13-14 October 2022.
Morawska, A., Mitchell, A., Etel, E., Ma, T., McAuliffe, T., Armstrong, R., McBryde, C. and Johnston, L. (2022). A systematic review of barriers and facilitators experienced by parents of typically developing and preterm children during the transition to school. 76th Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV United States, 21-24 September 2022.
Research Report
Boyle, Christopher, Sanders, Matthew R., Hodges, Julie and Ma, Tianyi (2024). The Thriving Kids and Parents Schools Project: Can a low-intensity seminar series for parents promote the wellbeing of children and families?. Adelaide, SA, Australia: The University of Adelaide.
Theses
Ma, Tianyi (2025). Parents as partners in children's education: evaluating the role of parental-self-regulation in effective home-school partnership. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/4aded24
Ma, Tianyi (2021). Predicting the sustained implementation of an evidence-based parenting program. Honours Thesis, School of Psychology, University of Queensland.
Working Papers
Chainey, Carys, Little, Sarah, Choi, Yina, Hoang, April, Ma, Tianyi, Stratton, Elizabeth, Teal, Renee, Marchand, Steeve, Ozols AM, Ingrid and Milton, Alyssa (2025). Parenting under pressure: a scoping review of parental self-efficacy in the context of cumulative adversity. LCC Working Paper Series. 2025-18. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/476de3b
Sanders, Matthew R., Ma, Tianyi and Meester-Buma, Eva (2024). National Parenting Pulse Survey: Understanding the current parenting experiences, challenges, and needs for support in Australia. LCC Working Paper Series. 2024-32. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/f8f903f
Seminar Papers
Ma, Tianyi (2025). Parents as partners in children's education: Evaluating the role of parental self-regulation in effective home-school partnership. PFSC Seminar Series. Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland Australia.
Ma, Tianyi (2025). Preparing parents to be partners in children's education: What works? For whom? Under what circumstances? And how?. School of Psychology Seminar Series. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.
Ma, Tianyi, Hodges, Julie, Boyle, Christopher and Sanders, Matthew R. (2024). Evaluating the effectiveness of a Triple P seminar series in Australian primary schools: Findings from a cluster randomised trial. PFSC Seminar Series. Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland Australia.
Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2021). Predicting the sustained implementation of Triple P. PFSC Seminar Series. Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland Australia.