Leesa Van Niekerk

University of Tasmania · School of Psychological Sciences

Aims To explore the influence of endometriosis on an individual's self‐concept and the potential applicability of self‐compassion in addressing alterations to self‐concept. Design Qualitative deductive template analysis study. Methods Written reflections completed by women (n = 157) with a self‐reported diagnosis of endometriosis were reviewed us...

Importance and Objective Menopause is a reproductive transition affecting half the world's population. Stigma and limited availability of evidence-based treatments that support biopsychosocial well-being mean that this life stage is often associated with challenging symptoms and reduced quality of life (QoL). The aim of this review was to examine t...

Background: Sexual health communication between general practitioners (GPs) and individuals with chronic diseases is well-documented as an important component of sexual wellbeing. However, a notable gap exists in understanding factors that contribute to sexual health communication in the endometriosis context. Endometriosis-related research has foc...

Prison climate can have considerable impact on the behaviours of incarcerated individuals both in custody and on release. This study is the first study to use a mixed methods approach to explore the perceptions of prison climate among prisoners and staff at two small Australian prisons. The quantitative research component measured prisoner ( n = 11...

Body compassion research in cisgender populations highlights its applicability to physical and psychological well-being, but the research pertaining to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals is lacking. The current study aimed to examine levels of body compassion, body appreciation, and transgender congruence and their association with ge...

Background The bidirectional relationship between disease activity and mental health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has prompted investigations into the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) on biopsychosocial outcomes. We aimed t o examine the efficacy of an ACT Program (intervention) in com...

BACKGROUND Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), defined as persistent pain in the structures of the pelvis, is a condition that significantly impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of up to one-third of people worldwide, with substantial associated costs to both the individual and healthcare system/s. OBJECTIVE The present trial aims...

Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share common pathophysiological and risk factors, often leading to misdiagnosis, diagnostic delays, and treatment implications. Further, both conditions are associated with biopsychosocial comorbidities, resulting in compromised wellbeing and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This longi...

STUDY QUESTION What is the relationship between sexual function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and laparoscopic surgery in individuals living with endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER A higher number of laparoscopic surgeries is significantly associated with poorer HRQoL and greater levels of sexual dysfunction in individuals with endometriosis...

The current study explored perspectives of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and comorbid anxiety and/or depression on a hybrid acceptance and committment therapy (ACT) intervention, compared to an active control. This qualitative study was nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where an experimental group received an 8-week bl...

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual/aromantic (LGBTQA+) people, assigned female at birth (AFAB), experience disproportionately poorer gynaecological healthcare outcomes compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. The barriers to gynaecological care remain poorly understood. In a step toward bridging this gap, the c...

Background: The bidirectional relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare-ups and depression/anxiety symptoms has prompted investigations into psychotherapy to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by targeting depression and anxiety. Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) is effective in improving symptoms of depression and...

In Australia, endometriosis affects one in nine women and those assigned female at birth. Although endometriosis is more common than conditions such as diabetes, research funding for endometriosis research has historically been low in comparison. The National Action Plan for Endometriosis is an Australian Federal Government initiative designed to r...

Objectives: Chronic prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex condition which causes a significant burden on the diagnosed individuals. Assessment and management are perplexing, often resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes. Existing research has only focused on patients' perspectives of pain experiences, but scant evidence is a...

Body compassion bridges together the constructs of body image and self-compassion and refers to the relationship people have with their bodies, encompassing defusion, common humanity and acceptance. The purpose of the current study was to validate the 23-item Body Compassion Scale (BCS), in a female sample, and to determine the distinctiveness of b...

Objective: An understanding of the role that self and body compassion may play as protective mechanisms in the context of psychological and physical health conditions is steadily increasing. The availability of research pertaining to their role in mitigating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impacts associated with endometriosis is limite...

Psychological factors of emotional distress and cognition have an important role in the understanding and management of endometriosis; however, their temporal relationship with key pain variables is not fully understood. This exploratory study sought to establish the temporal relationship between psychological and pain‐related factors in a 12‐month...

Objectives Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex condition. Despite recommendations for the inclusion of non-pharmacological treatment in the management of CP/CPPS, the focus has predominantly been on the inclusion of physical therapies with minimal discussion of psychological interventions. Therefore, this systema...

Objective The understanding as to how people with endometriosis view and relate to their bodies is limited but important given the physical and psychological symptoms associated with the condition. The current study explored the differences in HRQoL (general, physical, emotional) and body image in an endometriosis and control sample. The current st...

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves an abnormal immune response to healthy gut bacteria. When a person develops IBD, their susceptibility to anxiety and/or depression increases. The ACTforIBD programme, specifically designed for people with IBD and comorbid psychological distress, draws on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT...

Graphical abstract: Abstract: Endometriosis is a common yet under-recognised chronic disease with one in nine (more than 830,000) women and those assigned female at birth diagnosed with endometriosis by the age of 44 years in Australia. In 2018, Australia was the first country to develop a roadmap and blueprint to tackle endometriosis in a natio...

Endometriosis affects women of reproductive age and is associated with higher levels of sexual and relational distress. Despite the relational context of endometriosis, the research pertaining to dyadic relationship goals is lacking. An exploration of the relationship goals of couples coping with endometriosis can facilitate the understanding of po...

This international cross-sectional study examined the relationships between endometriosis-related symptom experience and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 318 women with endometriosis. Measures of symptom burden and distress, pain, psychological wellbeing, and HRQoL were collected via an online survey. Age, symptom duration, burden, and dis...

This international cross-sectional study examined the level and potential correlates of self and body compassion in women ( n = 227) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Participants completed an online survey examining quality of life, psychological health, body image and self and body compassion. Low levels of self and body compassion were foun...

Abstract Study Question: What is the relationship between self-compassion, endometriosis-related symptoms, and psychological health in women with symptomatic endometriosis? Summary Answer: Decreased self-compassion is associated with increased psychological distress, extended diagnostic delay, and varies according to individual endometriosis-sympto...

Introduction: This is the first study to explore relationship satisfaction through a dyadic lens in couples living with endometriosis. This is timely and important given that endometriosis is a shared experience within the couple rather than an isolated experience occurring for the individual members of a couple. Methods: Sixty couples completed on...

Endometriosis impacts the physical, psychological and quality of life domains of women. Despite the medical and/or surgical management of endometriosis, the presence of persistent pelvic pain and psychological distress often continues, suggesting a role for psychological interventions in treatment planning. The present study aimed to conduct the fi...

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the barriers encountered by Tasmanian registered nurses when attempting to provide optimal pain management. The impact of nurse satisfaction with their professional relationship with physicians during pain management on the types of barriers encountered was also examined. A total of 1,015 register...

The aims of the current investigation were (1) to examine the ethical and professional conflicts experienced by Tasmanian registered nurses in attempting to provide optimal pain management, and (2) to examine nurse satisfaction with their professional relationship with physicians and with their level of involvement in pain management. A total of 1,...

The aim of this research was to obtain information concerning knowledge of the pain management practices of Tasmanian nurses. We examined the knowledge of Tasmanian Registered Nurses in relation to pain management issues such as addiction, use of analgesics and the assessment of pain. In addition, we queried them about their satisfaction with infor...