From the influence of the 'manosphere' to complex PTSD and Indigenous wellbeing – three APS journal editors share standout research shaping the future of psychology.
To mark National Science Week – and to showcase the critical contributions psychologists make to the broader scientific landscape – the APS invited three of its journal editors to spotlight a recent piece of research that captured their attention.
Each editor explains why this work matters, and how it could shape both the profession and society more broadly.
The influence of the manosphere and digital culture
By Dr Kelly-Ann Allen FAPS, Editor of the APS Educational and Developmental Psychologist journal.
1. What is a piece of research that has been published in one of the recent editions of your journal that you're most excited about?
I think a really timely and important contribution to one of our recent editions of The Educational and Developmental Psychologist was some commentary from Steve Roberts and Steph Wescott (2024): 'To quell the problem, we must name the problem: the role of social media ‘manfluencers’ in boys’ sexist behaviours in school settings.'
Our life course is now marked by intense online engagement (and we are seeing this occur at younger and younger ages). What impact might this have on traditional developmental markers? The early years of adolescence are a critical stage where attitudes about gender, power and identity begin to form.
This paper stood out to me because it clearly identifies the influence of the manosphere on boys’ attitudes and behaviours in school – highlighting the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate.
Although the commentary is not empirical, it draws on research and social learning, identity formation, and peer group influence to help make sense of the worrying rise in misogynistic behaviours among young boys.
Its value, in my opinion, is in how it highlights the specific additional strain that these behaviours put on teachers (especially women) who are reporting instances of sexism/sexist behaviours or ideals, and noticing the impact that the social media algorithms are having on young students, in terms of the content/views they are being served.
For practitioners in educational and developmental psychology, this conversation is really important because it signals an urgent need to understand how 'digital masculinities' are shaping development, peer interactions, the school and classroom climate, and the wellbeing of teachers.
2. What impact do you see this work having on the broader community?
This area of work has major implications for how we understand the psychosocial development of boys and young men.
Twelve months ago, the general public wasn't really talking about the manosphere. By identifying the manosphere as a growing influence, the article explains shifts in gender attitudes that are occurring right across society.
In fact, commentaries like this have helped place this topic on political agendas and in press and media cycles, raising awareness among the public. Without starting these critical conversations, there is little hope for change.
Educational and developmental psychologists should be concerned about how early exposure to misogynistic messaging affects boys’ sense of self, relationships and social and emotional competencies – like empathy. These influences also risk reinforcing gender roles, encouraging coercive or controlling behaviours by men and, potentially, acceptance of this behaviour by women.
Without intervention and prevention, such patterns may solidify across adolescence and early adulthood with impact on gender-based violence, social isolation and mental health.
3. How do you see this work intersecting with other disciplines or professional contexts?
This paper presented a unique opportunity for the journal to feature a piece written by two sociologists at Monash University – so that's one key group that psychology professionals can partner with.
For the education sector, it raises questions about how to equip teachers and school leaders with the right resources and information to respond to boys' uptake of online misogyny. It points to a responsibility to create safe and supportive workplaces, recognising that cultural misogyny can become occupational harm when not addressed.
The paper also intersects with law and child protection, particularly when online influencers encourage views or behaviours that align with harassment or coercion.
This is a topic that many other sectors should be thinking about too – like the legal and medical profession. All disciplines need to consider the role of digital culture in shaping how we live and interact with each other.
The manosphere's reach into young peoples' window of vulnerability makes it a key target for preventive psychological measures. There's a need for interventions, curriculum design and psychological support. Educational and developmental psychologists have a vital role to play here.
4. What's an area of research you think demands more attention at the moment?
We need a stronger focus on the psychological consequences and potential benefits of digital culture, as well as the influence of digital algorithms in how we learn and socialise. It has implications for all facets of psychology.
We do see a lot of commentary on 'screen-time', which is important, as I believe we need to rethink how we are talking about screens, especially when they are commonly used in our day-to-day interaction, such as when we're driving, planning a family meal or doing a tutorial at university.
There are so many potentially rich learning and time-saving opportunities, but we need to be equipped to manage the exposure to things like misogyny, conspiracy theories or radicalisation. Children may not have the critical reasoning skills to be exposed to this content – some adults don't even have this capability.
So if anything demands our attention right now, I'd say it should be critical thinking.
Further resources:
New directions in the treatment of complex PTSD
By Dr Amy Burton MAPS, Editor of the Clinical Psychologist
1. What is a piece of research that has been published in one of the recent editions of your journal that you're most excited about?
One article that we published in the Clinical Psychologist that has been attracting a lot of attention is: 'The relationship between symptoms of complex posttraumatic disorder and core concepts in Internal Family Systems therapy.'
Published in our most recent issue, the article by Kathleen de Boer, Jessica L. Mackelprang and Maja Nedeljkovic explores the relationship between symptoms of complex PTSD (cPTSD) and core concepts of the up-and-coming model of psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which has received the highest number of views out of any article published in our journal over the past 12 months.
The popularity of this article reflects the interests of our readership of practicing psychologists in both the presentation of cPTSD and associated symptoms, as well as growing interest from Australian psychologists in better understanding novel treatment approaches such as IFS and how they work.
Compared to other, more commonly used, treatment approaches for cPTSD, our current empirical understanding of IFS and its mechanisms of change are still in its infancy.
I think the interest in this particular article demonstrates the value that Australian psychologists place on ensuring they are keeping abreast of the latest developments in clinical research to keep their knowledge of evidence-based approaches for different psychological conditions cutting-edge.
2. What impact do you see this work having on the broader community?
There is clear interest from the broader community for further empirical investigation of the IFS model, and a desire for a deeper understanding of how and why this novel approach is effective for both conceptualising and treating cPTSD symptoms.
Complex trauma, or cPTSD, is a common and highly distressing clinical presentation. It's also a presentation that many practicing psychologists find challenging to effectively treat with standard psychological treatment approaches.
cPTSD requires a more targeted approach and community-based psychologists are looking for alternative treatment solutions to help their cPTSD clients.
This research article provides an important contribution to the limited, but growing, literature on IFS. Before widespread adoption of any novel psychotherapeutic approach takes place, it's vital that there is sufficient evidence to support its safety and efficacy.
This research article plays an important part in growing the empirical understanding of this novel, but highly promising, treatment model for cPTSD.
3. How do you see this research intersecting with other disciplines or professional contexts?
Studies like de Boer et al. (2025) play a very important role in enhancing our understanding of the mind and 'the self'.
While the intended audience of these findings are mental health clinicians and psychology researchers, these contemporary conceptualisations of 'self' often find their way into popular culture via both non-fiction self-help literature, as well as via the creative arts.
In today's world, this may present as social media influencers sharing their 'armchair psychologist' self-formulations of their own 'parts', as defined by the IFS model, as a way of better understanding their own mind and the way their early life experiences have shaped and influenced their sense of self.
We saw the influence of the Freudian model of the psyche in the late 20th century, so it will be interesting to see the impact of third-wave models such as IFS and Young's Schema Theory on contemporary literature and art.
4. What's an area of research that you think demands more attention at the moment?
Diversity and representation in clinical psychology research. At Clinical Psychologist, we are committed to embracing and promoting diversity within clinical psychology research. We are currently working on several exciting new papers that reflect how the profession in Australia is evolving – learning from, and responding to, the benefits of greater diversity, equity and inclusion in our field.
We look forward to sharing this work with our community, as it highlights the ways clinical psychology is moving in a positive and more representative direction.
For too long, clinical psychology research has been dominated by WEIRD samples – that is, participants who are white, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic. As a result, many findings have been promoted as universally applicable, when in fact they often fail to reflect the realities of broader and more diverse populations.
Good science must be representative of the communities it seeks to serve. To achieve this in clinical psychology, we must amplify the voices of marginalised and minority groups, and adapt our research methods, theories and models accordingly.
Further resources:
Culturally respectful research
By Professor Justin Kenardy FAPS, Editor of the APS journal Australian Journal of Psychology
1. What is a piece of research that has been published in one of the recent editions of your journal that you're most excited about?
One of the pieces of research I was most excited about in the Australian Journal of Psychology was one that explored a novel and respectful meeting between Indigenous Elders and psychological researchers. The research brought together Elders who deeply understood the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples with researchers keen to listen and learn.
This paper stood out because it departed from traditional research methods such as randomised control trials and quantitative surveys. Instead, it employed a qualitative approach that centred on relationships, dialogue and mutual understanding.
The outcome wasn’t just an academic one. The researchers and Elders both reported transformative shifts in their perspectives – a mutual enrichment of understanding.
It provided a practical and respectful example of how Indigenous knowledge can inform psychological science in a way that is culturally appropriate, relevant and grounded in lived experience.
This is important because, as psychologists, we must find ways to engage meaningfully with the lived realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If we continue to rely solely on colonial models and assumptions – such as that "Westerners know what’s best" – we risk reinforcing harmful dynamics that simply do not work.
This paper shows we need to think differently. It encourages psychologists to adopt alternative models and methodologies that respect Indigenous knowledge and promote wellbeing in ways that are truly inclusive and effective.
2. What impact do you see this work having on the broader community?
This work has significant potential to influence how psychologists engage with Indigenous Australians, helping bridge the gap between Western-oriented psychological knowledge and the [bodies of knowledge from] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
That kind of bridging is crucial. It provides psychologists with tools to offer support that is relevant, culturally safe and ultimately more effective. If we don’t engage in this kind of work, we’ll be left behind – and the communities we serve will be disadvantaged as a result.
3. How do you see this research intersecting with other disciplines or professional contexts?
Every profession – whether law, health, education or organisational leadership – must grapple with these same challenges. The cultural assumptions underpinning our systems must be reconsidered.
I wouldn’t say psychology is leading the way – it would be patronising to suggest we are providing the example – but I do believe our discipline must be an active part of this shift. If we fail to evolve, we risk becoming irrelevant or, worse, harmful in our attempts to help.
4. What’s an area of research you think demands more attention at the moment?
One area that urgently demands attention is the psychology of behaviour change at a population level, particularly in relation to climate change.
We are already facing the impacts of climate shifts – and it’s only going to become more pronounced. As a discipline, we need to better understand how people adapt to change, how attitudes shift, and how we can support individuals and communities to adjust to new realities.
This could involve everything from changes in day-to-day living to responses to large-scale population movements or climate-related disasters. These challenges are dynamic and ongoing – they require a psychological response that is just as dynamic.
Further resources:
Note: APS members will have the opportunity to submit research to the Australian Journal of Psychology, with the article processing charge (APC) waived as a membership benefit for full members, at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. To enquire about a waiver, please contact [email protected] with your APS membership number and details about the article you would like to submit.
A message for your peers
To cap things off, we asked each editor to share their message to their psychology peer group to mark National Science Week.
"Be bold, be brave, and don’t be siloed," says Dr Allen.
"We have a powerful role to play in addressing some of the biggest issues before us: climate anxiety, online radicalisation, gendered violence and loneliness. To do this, we need to be working across disciplines.
"Psychological research must be part of larger conversations, not adjacent. It needs to be connected to real-world implications. The APS has been tremendous advocates for engaging with policymakers."
Dr Burton says it's an exciting time for clinical research.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a welcome shift in clinical psychology research toward recognising the value of qualitative approaches.
“This is an important development, as it allows us to broaden our understanding of psychological disorders and their treatment beyond quantitative outcome measures – which remain essential – to include the richness of lived experience, including the perspectives of patients, carers and therapists.
“By embracing a wider range of research methods, we gain a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of our discipline – one that is better equipped to meet the diverse needs of the Australian community.”
Professor Kenardy encourages his psychology peers to feel proud of their work.
"Psychology is a strong science – and it will continue to be a strong science," he says. "Use and make use of the scientific resources and methods that define who we are as a profession. That’s how we move forward."
APS College members can access discounted subscriptions to The Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Australian Psychologist. These journals publish the latest research and critical discussions shaping the profession, helping members stay connected to high-quality science that informs and strengthens practice.
By engaging with the latest evidence and ideas, we not only strengthen our own practice but also ensure psychology continues to make a meaningful impact on the challenges that shape our communities.