Dr James Kirby
Snr Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
School of Psychology
+61 7 336 56802
McElwain Building (24A)
Level 3, Room 332
Level 3, Room 332
Researcher biography
James is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist. James has broad research interests in compassion science, however, specific research areas include: a) examining compassion focused therapy; b) examining compassion with children; c) what fears, blocks, & resistances people have towards compassion; & d) developing and evaluating compassion interventions. James also holds an Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK. If you are interested in undertaking a PhD focused on compassion please contact me.
Book Chapters
Kirby, James N. and Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. (2018). Parenting of adult children: A neglected area of parenting studies. In Matthew R. Sanders and Alina Morawska (Ed.), Handbook of Parenting and Child Development Across the Lifespan (pp. 653-675) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-94598-9_29
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2017). Quality assurance and program development. 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. 460-471) New York, United States: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0043
Kirby, James N., Steindl, Stanley R. and Doty, James R. (2017). Compassion as the Highest Ethic. In Lynette M. Monteiro, Jane F. Compson and Frank Musten (Ed.), Mindfulness in Behavioral Health (pp. 253-277) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_10
Kirby, James N. (2017). Working with grandparents and extended family members. In Matthew R. Sanders and Trevor G. Mazzucchelli (Ed.), The Power of Positive Parenting (pp. 196-205) New York, NY, United States: Oxford University Press.. doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780190629069.003.0016
Kirby, J.N. (2017). Compassionate parenting: The role of compassion in parenting. In Emma M. Seppälä, Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Stephanie L. Brown, Monica C. Worline, C. Daryl Cameron and James R. Doty (Ed.), The Handbook of Compassion Science () Oxford, England, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190464684.013.8
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2017). The emergence of the compassion focused therapies. In Paul Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: concepts, research and applications (pp. 258-285) Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Routledge - Taylor and Francis. doi:10.4324/9781315564296
Sanders, Matthew and Kirby, James (2010). Parental programs for preventing behavioural and emotional problems in children. In James Bennett-Levy, David Richards, Paul Farrand, Helen Christensen, Kathy Griffiths, David Kavanagh, Britt Klein, Mark A. Lau, Judy Proudfoot, Lee Ritterband, Chris Williams and Jim White (Ed.), Oxford Guide to Low Intensity CBT Interventions (pp. 399-406) New York, United States: Oxford University Press.
Journal Articles
Kirby, James N. (2020) Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention. Education Sciences, 10 1: . doi:10.3390/educsci10010003
Kim, Jeffrey J., Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020) The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 108 112-123. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.023
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Kirby, James N. (2019) A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges. Journal of Child and Family Studies, . doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01553-y
Kirby, James N., Seppälä, Emma, Wilks, Matti, Cameron, C. Daryl, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Nguyen, Dong T. H., Misra, Supriya, Simon-Thomas, Emiliana, Feinberg, Matthew, Martin, Daniel and Doty, James (2019) Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes. Current Psychology, . doi:10.1007/s12144-019-00405-8
Sanders, Matthew R., De Caestecker, Linda, McLeod, Stephen, Day, Jamin J., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina and Kirby, James (2019) Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017). BMC Pediatrics, 19 1: . doi:10.1186/s12887-019-1570-z
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, MacArthur, Michael and Kirby, James N. (2019) Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness. Mindfulness, . doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01191-x
Kirby, James N., Grzazek, Olivia and Gilbert, Paul (2019) The role of compassionate and self-image goals in predicting psychological controlling and facilitative parenting styles. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 JUN: 1041. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01041
Kirby, James N., Day, Jamin and Sagar, Vinita (2019) The ‘Flow’ of compassion: A meta-analysis of the fears of compassion scales and psychological functioning. Clinical Psychology Review, 70 26-39. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.03.001
Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Petrocchi, Nicola, Hermanto, Nicola, Krieger, Tobias, Kirby, James N., Asano, Kenichi, Matos, Marcela, Yu, FuYa, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Shahar, Ben, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2019) Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, . doi:10.1007/s10942-019-00319-1
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Toumbourou, John W., Carey, Timothy A. and Havighurst, Sophie S. (2019) Innovation, research integrity, and change: a conflict of interest management framework for program developers. Australian Psychologist, . doi:10.1111/ap.12404
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2019) Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems. Mindfulness, . doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8
Dev, Vinayak, Fernando, Antonio T., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2019) Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 90 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.09.015
Slepian, Michael L., Kirby, James N. and Kalokerinos, Elise K. (2019) Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind. Emotion, . doi:10.1037/emo0000542
Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018) Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context. Developmental Psychology, . doi:10.1037/dev0000667
Slepian, Michael L. and Kirby, James N. (2018) To whom do we confide our secrets?. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44 7: 1008-1023. doi:10.1177/0146167218756032
Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Hermanto, Nicola, Petrocchi, Nicola, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Kirby, James N., Shahar, Ben, Krieger, Tobias, Matos, Marcela, Asano, Kenichi, Yu, FuYa, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2018) The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, . doi:10.1007/s10862-018-9686-2
Green, Mitchell, Kirby, James N. and Nielsen, Mark (2018) The cost of helping: an exploration of compassionate responding in children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 36 4: 673-678. doi:10.1111/bjdp.12252
Kirby, James N. and Baldwin, Sarah (2018) A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation to help parents respond to difficult child behavior vignettes. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27 5: 1614-1628. doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0989-9
Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018) Children imitate antisocial in-group members. Developmental Science, 21 6: e12675. doi:10.1111/desc.12675
Mitchell, Amy E., Whittingham, Koa, Steindl, Stanley and Kirby, James (2018) Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online self-compassion intervention for mothers of infants. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 21 5: 1-9. doi:10.1007/s00737-018-0829-y
Steindl, Stanley R., Kirby, James N. and Tellegan, Cassandra (2018) Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications. Clinical Psychologist, . doi:10.1111/cp.12146
Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Steindl, Stanley R. (2017) A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 48 6: 778-792. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2017.06.003
Kirby, James N. (2017) Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice. Psychology & Psychotherapy: theory, research & practice, 90 3: 432-455. doi:10.1111/papt.12104
Kirby, James N. and Kirby, Peter G. (2017) An evolutionary model to conceptualise masculinity and compassion in male teenagers: a unifying framework. Clinical Psychologist, 21 2: 74-89. doi:10.1111/cp.12129
Kirby, James N. and Laczko, David (2017) A randomized micro-trial of a loving-kindness meditation for young adults living at home with their parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26 7: 1-12. doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0692-x
Kirby, James N., Doty, James R., Petrocchi, Nicola and Gilbert, Paul (2017) The current and future role of heart rate variability for assessing and training compassion. Frontiers in Public Health, 5 40. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00040
Pepping, Christopher A., Lyons, Anthony, McNair, Ruth, Kirby, James N., Petrocchi, Nicola and Gilbert, Paul (2017) A tailored compassion-focused therapy program for sexual minority young adults with depressive symotomatology: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 5 1: 5. doi:10.1186/s40359-017-0175-2
Kirby, James N., Sanders, Matthew R. and Mazzucchelli, Trevor G. (2016) A clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches: childhood disruptive disorders. Clinical Psychologist, 20 3: 154-155. doi:10.1111/cp.12076
Kirby, James N. (2016) The role of mindfulness and compassion in enhancing nurturing family environments. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 23 2: 142-157. doi:10.1111/cpsp.12149
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015) Erratum to: using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 5: 1527-1527. doi:10.1007/s10826-015-0164-0
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2015) The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren. Prevention Science, 16 3: 486-486. doi:10.1007/s11121-015-0546-y
Kirby, James N. (2015) The Potential Benefits of Parenting Programs for Grandparents: Recommendations and Clinical Implications. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 11: 3200-3212. doi:10.1007/s10826-015-0123-9
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014) Corrigendum to "A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents". Behaviour Research and Therapy, 63 185-185. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2014.11.002
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2014) A public-health approach to improving parenting and promoting children's well-being. Child Development Perspectives, 8 4: 250-257. doi:10.1111/cdep.12086
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014) Erratum to "The triple P-positive parenting program: A systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support" [CPR (2014) 337-357]. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 8: 658-658. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.09.001
Haslam, Divna M., Patrick, Pamela and Kirby, James N. (2014) Giving voice to working mothers: a consumer informed study to program design for working mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 8: 2463-2473. doi:10.1007/s10826-014-0049-7
Sanders, Matthew R., Kirby, James N., Tellegen, Cassandra L. and Day, Jamin J. (2014) The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program: a systematic review and meta-analysis of a multi-level system of parenting support. Clinical Psychology Review, 34 4: 337-357. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.04.003
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2014) Surviving or thriving: quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions. Prevention Science : The Official Journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 16 3: 421-431. doi:10.1007/s11121-014-0475-1
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2014) Surviving or thriving: quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions. Prevention Science, 16 3: 1-11. doi:10.1007/s11121-014-0475-1
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2014) A randomized controlled trial evaluating a parenting program designed specifically for grandparents. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 52 1: 35-44. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2013.11.002
Leung, Cynthia, Sanders, Matthew, Fung, Barbara and Kirby, James (2014) The effectiveness of the Grandparent Triple P program with Chinese families: a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of Family Studies, 20 2: 104-117. doi:10.1080/13229400.2014.11082000
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2013) Using a behavioural family intervention to produce a three-generational benefit on family outcomes: a case report. Behaviour Change, 30 4: 249-261. doi:10.1017/bec.2013.24
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2013) The acceptability of parenting strategies for grandparents providing care to their grandchildren. Prevention Science, 15 5: 777-787. doi:10.1007/s11121-013-0428-0
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
Kirby, James N. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2012) Using consumer input to tailor evidence-based parenting interventions to the needs of grandparents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21 4: 626-636. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9514-8
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2012) Consumer engagement and the development, evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based parenting programs.. Behavior Therapy, 43 2: 234-250. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2011.01.005
Sanders, Matthew R. and Kirby, James N. (2010) Consumer involvement and population based parenting interventions. Administration, 58 2: 33-50.
Conference Papers
Kirby, James N., Sampson, Hayley, Day, Jamin, Hayes, Alan and Gilbert, Paul (2019) Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 2: 238-260. doi:10.1111/papt.12223
Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2019) Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, . doi:10.1111/papt.12225
Thesis
Kirby, James Nicholas (2013). The development and evaluation of a parenting program for grandparents: Grandparent Triple P PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.