Research
Areas of Research Interest
Interpersonal Relationships
Research in this area focusses on how individuals’ differences contribute to relationship difficulties in young people and adults. Several studies are being conducted to investigate how self-defeating behaviours can be influenced by the following:
- Demographics characteristics (i.e., age, gender and sexual orientation);
- Relationship factors (i.e., status, duration, quality, and stress);
- Context (e.g., online dating);
- Attachment styles; and
- Flirting styles.
Also, Dr Peel is currently investigating how the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of intimate relationships can be influenced by the following:
- Regret related to first sexual encounters in adolescents and young adults;
- Traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood;
- Capability to cope with traumatic events; and
- Young people and adults' use of social media for relationship advice.
Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern for young Australians, with recent national data indicating that around half of 16–25 year olds report experiencing IPV, including physical and sexual violence. Longitudinal research shows that IPV follows a developmental trajectory that peaks in the early twenties, positioning adolescence and emerging adulthood as a critical, high-pressure "learning phase" in which relationship attitudes and behaviours are established; essential towards learning healthy and respectful relationship skills.
A recent research project led by our team found that relationship conflict, breakup, and jealousy were the most consistent factors preceding fatal outcomes across homicide and suicide; more so than any single demographic characteristic. This pattern is echoed in the broader literature: research identifies frequent arguments and controlling behaviour as the two factors most strongly associated with IPV, while attachment and emotion-regulation research shows that how young people respond to conflict (shaped by attachment style, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating negative emotion) helps determine whether a relationship stays safe or turns abusive.
Current prevention efforts and services are overwhelmingly geared toward responding after violence has already emerged, rather than intervening at the conflict stage that precedes it. There is a clear opportunity, particularly in the Australian context, for research that informs prevention before escalation.
Medical Education
Research in this area identifying the challenges and opportunities associated with provision of high quality training for general practitioners working in Australian rural and remote regions and increase the potential for workforce recruitment, with recommendations for strengthening health care in underserved communities.