Doctor Elizabeth Conroy

Doctor Elizabeth Conroy

Senior Research Academic,
School of Medicine

Biography

Dr Elizabeth Conroy (PhD, BSc(Hons)) is a Senior Research Fellow and Higher Degree Research Director within THRI and holds a substantive position within the School of Medicine.

Dr Conroy’s primary research focus is homelessness and inclusion health. She commenced her research career at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre where she completed her PhD on child maltreatment, opioid dependence, and comorbid mental health in 2010. Since then Dr Conroy has worked with a range of government and community partners to better understand the health needs of people with experiences of complex trauma and deep social exclusion. Dr Conroy has extensive experience in conducting program evaluations to inform more effective service responses in the homelessness sector as well as having a strong track record in researching the comorbidity of substance use and other mental disorder.  She has particular expertise in the recruitment of hard-to-reach groups and in longitudinal and mixed methods approaches. Dr Conroy is also a registered psychologist and Chair of the Refugee Interest Group and member of the Psychology and Homelessness Interest group in the Australian Psychological Society.

This information has been contributed by Doctor Conroy.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of New South Wales

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Psychological Society (2002)
  • Society for Mental Health Research (2018)

Interests

  • Homelessness
  • Substance Use and Co-morbid Mental Health Problems
  • Trauma

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • School of Medicine

Committees

  • Research Studies Committee

Contact

Email: E.Conroy@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4620 3931
Mobile:
Location: 3.1.11
Campbelltown

PLEASE NOTE: obtaining information from this Directory must be for the legitimate purposes of doing business with and within Western Sydney University, and must not be used for unsolicited bulk e-mailing (spamming) or similar purposes.

Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 800215 Applied research with marginalised populations and sensitive health topics, 2019

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Osei Asibey, B., Marjadi, B. and Conroy, E. (2023), 'Alcohol, tobacco and drug use among adults experiencing homelessness in Accra, Ghana : a cross-sectional study of risk levels and associated factors', PLoS One, vol 18, no 3 .
  • Akbar, R., Arya, V., Conroy, E., Wilcox, H. and Page, A. (2023), 'Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of suicidal behavior : a systematic review and meta-analysis', Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, vol 53, no 1 , pp 163 - 184.
  • Astawesegn, F., Stulz, V., Conroy, E. and Mannan, H. (2022), 'Trends and effects of antiretroviral therapy coverage during pregnancy on mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa : evidence from panel data analysis', BMC Infectious Diseases, vol 22 .
  • Woodlock, D., Salter, M., Conroy, E., Burke, J. and Dragiewicz, M. (2022), ''If I'm not real, I'm not having an impact' : relationality and vicarious resistance in complex trauma care', British Journal of Social Work, vol 52, no 7 , pp 4401 - 4417.
  • Astawesegn, F., Conroy, E., Mannan, H. and Stulz, V. (2022), 'Measuring socioeconomic inequalities in prenatal HIV test service uptake for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in East Africa : a decomposition analysis', PLoS One, vol 17, no 8 .
  • Deans, E., Ravulo, J., Blignault, I. and Conroy, E. (2021), 'Understanding the needs of local youth to inform drug and alcohol prevention and harm reduction services : a qualitative study', Health Promotion Journal of Australia, vol 32, no 3 , pp 416 - 424.
  • Bower, M., Perz, J. and Conroy, E. (2021), 'What role does substance use play in the social world of Australian people who have experienced homelessness? : a critical realist mixed-methods exploration', Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, vol 31, no 1 , pp 68 - 82.
  • Astawesegn, F., Stulz, V., Agho, K., Mannan, H., Conroy, E. and Ogbo, F. (2021), 'Prenatal HIV test uptake and its associated factors for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in East Africa', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol 18, no 10 .
  • Marjanovic, S., Munasinghe, S., Sperandei, S., Jani, H., Conroy, E., Freebairn, L. and Page, A. (2021), 'Determinants of dietary behaviour and physical activity in Australian adolescents', International Journal of Epidemiology, vol 50, no Suppl. 1 , pp 149 - 149.
  • Bower, M., Gournay, K., Perz, J. and Conroy, E. (2021), 'Do we all experience loneliness the same way? : lessons from a pilot study measuring loneliness among people with lived experience of homelessness', Health and Social Care in the Community, vol 30, no 1 , pp 1671 - 1677.
  • Osei Asibey, B., Conroy, E. and Marjadi, B. (2020), 'Health problems and healthcare service utilisation amongst homeless adults in Africa : a scoping review', BMC Public Health, vol 20, no 1 .
  • Munasinghe, S., Sperandei, S., Freebairn, L., Conroy, E., Jani, H., Marjanovic, S. and Page, A. (2020), 'The impact of physical distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on health and well-being among Australian adolescents', Journal of Adolescent Health, vol 67, no 5 , pp 653 - 661.
  • Growns, B., Kinner, S., Conroy, E., Baldry, E. and Larney, S. (2018), 'A systematic review of supported accommodation programs for people released from custody', International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol 62, no 8 , pp 2174 - 2194.
  • Bower, M., Conroy, E. and Perz, J. (2018), 'Australian homeless persons' experiences of social connectedness, isolation and loneliness', Health and Social Care in the Community, vol 26, no 2 , pp 241 - 248.
  • Pikovsky, M., Peacock, A., Larney, S., Larance, B., Conroy, E., Nelson, E. and Degenhardt, L. (2018), 'Alcohol use disorder and associated physical health complications and treatment amongst individuals with and without opioid dependence : a case-control study', Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol 188 , pp 304 - 310.
  • Zaretzky, K., Flatau, P., Spicer, B., Conroy, E. and Burns, L. (2017), 'What drives the high health care costs of the homeless?', Housing Studies, vol 32, no 7 , pp 931 - 947.
  • Werner, K., McCutcheon, V., Werner, K., McCutcheon, V., Challa, M., Agrawal, A., Lynskey, M., Conroy, E., Statham, D., Madden, P., Henders, A., Todorov, A., Health, A., Degenhardt, L., Martin, N., Bucholz, K. and Nelson, E. (2016), 'The association between childhood maltreatment, psychopathology, and adult sexual victimization in men and women : results from three independent samples', Psychological Medicine, vol 46, no 3 , pp 563 - 573.
  • Werner, K., McCutcheon, V., Werner, K., McCutcheon, V., Challa, M., Agrawal, A., Lynskey, M., Conroy, E., Statham, D., Madden, P., Henders, A., Todorov, A., Health, A., Degenhardt, L., Martin, N., Bucholz, K. and Nelson, E. (2016), 'The association between childhood maltreatment, psychopathology, and adult sexual victimization in men and women : results from three independent samples', Psychological Medicine, vol 46, no 3 , pp 563 - 573.
  • Kristjansson, S., McCutcheon, V., Agrawal, A., Lynskey, M., Conroy, E., Statham, D., Madden, P., Henders, A., Todorov, A., Bucholz, K., Degenhardt, L., Martin, N., Heath, A. and Nelson, E. (2016), 'The variance shared across forms of childhood trauma is strongly associated with liability for psychiatric and substance use disorders', Brain and Behavior, vol 6, no 2 , pp 1 - 11.
  • Spicer, B., Smith, D., Conroy, E., Flatau, P. and Burns, L. (2015), 'Mental illness and housing outcomes among a sample of homeless men in an Australian urban centre', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol 49, no 5 , pp 471 - 480.
  • Burns, L., Conroy, E., Moore, E., Hutchinson, D. and Haber, P. (2011), 'Psychosocial characteristics and obstetric health of women attending a specialist substance use antenatal clinic in a large metropolitan hospital', International Journal of Pediatrics, vol 2011 .
  • Burns, L., Conroy, E. and Mattick, R. (2010), 'Main reasons for a hospital admission by women with a history of methadone maintenance', Drug and Alcohol Review, vol 29, no 6 , pp 669 - 675.
  • Burns, L., Conroy, E. and Mattick, R. (2010), 'Infant mortality among women on a methadone program during pregnancy', Drug and Alcohol Review, vol 29, no 5 , pp 551 - 556.
  • Conroy, E., Degenhardt, L., Mattick, R. and Nelson, E. (2009), 'Child maltreatment as a risk factor for opioid dependence : comparison of family characteristics and type and severity of child maltreatment with a matched control group', Child Abuse & Neglect, vol 33, no 6 , pp 343 - 352.
  • Larney, S., Conroy, E., Mills, K., Burns, L. and Teesson, M. (2009), 'Factors associated with violent victimisation among homeless adults in Sydney, Australia', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol 33, no 4 , pp 347 - 351.
  • Conroy, E., Kimber, J., Dolan, K. and Day, C. (2008), 'An examination of the quality of life among rural and outer metropolitan injecting drug users in NSW, Australia', Addiction Research and Theory, vol 16, no 6 , pp 607 - 617.
  • Conroy, E., Degenhardt, L. and Day, C. (2006), 'Impact of drug market changes on substance-using pregnant women in three key Sydney drug markets', Women's Health, vol 44, no 4 , pp 93 - 105.
  • Degenhardt, L., Day, C., Conroy, E. and Gilmour, S. (2006), 'Examining links between cocaine use and street-based sex work in New South Wales, Australia', Journal of Sex Research, vol 43, no 2 , pp 107 - 114.
  • Day, C., Conroy, E., Lowe, J., Page, J. and Dolan, K. (2006), 'Patterns of drug use and associated harms among rural injecting drug users: comparisons with metropolitan injecting drug users', Australian Journal of Rural Health, vol 14, no 3 , pp 120 - 125.
  • Degenhardt, L., Conroy, E., Day, C., Gilmour, S. and Hall, W. (2005), 'The impact of a reduction in drug supply on demand for and compliance with treatment for drug dependence', Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol 79, no 2 , pp 129 - 135.
  • Degenhardt, L., Conroy, E., Gilmour, S. and Collins, L. (2005), 'The Effect of a Reduction in Heroin Supply in Australia upon Drug Distribution and Acquisitive Crime', British Journal of Criminology, vol 2, no 24 , pp 45 - 1.
  • Degenhardt, L., Conroy, E., Gilmour, S. and Hall, W. (2005), 'The effect of a reduction in heroin supply upon fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses in New South Wales, Australia', The Medical Journal of Australia, vol 182, no 1 , pp 20 - 23.
  • Degenhardt, L., Day, C., Conroy, E., Gilmour, S. and Hall, W. (2005), 'Age differentials in the impacts of reduced heroin: Effects of a 'heroin shortage' in NSW, Australia', Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol 79, no 3 , pp 397 - 404.
  • Degenhardt, L., Day, C., Dietze, P., Pointer, S., Conroy, E. and Hall, W. (2005), 'Effects of a sustained heroin shortage in three Australian States', Addiction, vol 100, no 7 , pp 908 - 20.
  • Degenhardt, L., Day, C., Hall, W., Conroy, E. and Gilmour, S. (2005), 'Was an increase in cocaine use among injecting drug users in New South Wales, Australia, accompanied by an increase in violent crime?', BMC Public Health, vol 5 , pp 40 - 40.

Conference Papers

  • Dadich, A., Osei Asibey, B. and Conroy, E. (2021), 'How Kotter can help to end tent cities', Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management. International Conference, online.
  • Conroy, E., Burns, L., Spicer, B., Black, K., Minnis, J., Stephens, C. and Haber, P. (2011), 'Understanding and importance of sexual health among drug-dependent women: an exploratory study', International Harm Reduction Conference, Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Flayau, P. and Conroy, E. (2009), 'The social, health and housing histories and service needs of homeless men accessing an integrated accommodation support service: Baseline data from the Michael Project', National Housing Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Conroy, E., Dengenhardt, L., Mattick, R. and Elliot, N. (2008), 'Child maltreatment as a risk for psychiatric comorbidity among persons with opioid dependence', APSAD National Conference, Sydney, Australia.

Other Publications

  • 2023, 'People with Disability Transitioning from Prison and Their Pathways into Homelessness', Report
  • 2014, 'The MISHA Project: From Homelessness to Sustained Housing 2010-2013', Report
  • 2013, 'The Cost of Homelessness and the Net Benefit of Homelessness Programs: A National Study: Findings from the Baseline Client survey', Report
  • 2013, 'How Integrated are Homelessness, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services in Australia?', Report
  • 2013, 'Lifetime and Intergenerational Experiences of Homelessness in Australia', Report
  • 2012, 'The Michael Project, 2007-2010: New Perspectives and Possibilities for Homeless Men', Report
  • 2010, 'The integration of homelessness, mental health and drug and alcohol services in Australia', Report

Current Projects

Title: Early identification of gambling comorbidity in a hospital setting
Funder:
  • NSW Government Office of Responsible Gambling
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2019-07-01 - 2024-03-30
ID: P00025697

Previous Projects

Title: An examination of family homelessness: A study of families accessing Mission Australia Centre Kingswood (MAC-K)
Funder:
  • Mission Australia (Philanthropic)
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2014-08-18 - 2018-01-30
ID: P00022384
Title: Evaluation of St Vincent's Hospital Homeless Health Services
Funder:
  • St Vincent's Hospital
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2015-03-30 - 2016-06-30
ID: P00022505
Title: The experience of loneliness in the Australian homeless population
Funder:
  • Australian Rotary Health (non ACRG)
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy and Janette Perz
Years: 2014-02-12 - 2018-03-01
ID: P00021847
Title: Evaluation of the Youth Severe Mental Health Service
Funder:
  • Parramatta Mission
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2019-07-01 - 2022-06-30
ID: P00026418
Title: Substance use trauma and comorbidity project
Funder:
  • South Western Sydney Local Health District
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2018-06-18 - 2019-12-31
ID: P00025106
Title: Evaluation of the Inner City Drift Project
Funder:
  • Mission Australia (Philanthropic)
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2013-02-01 - 2014-03-30
ID: P00021654
Title: Future of Crisis Accommodation Project - Review of temporary accommodation services and outcome measures framework
Funder:
  • The Haymarket Foundation
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2017-06-26 - 2018-04-06
ID: P00024100
Title: Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women's wellbeing and safety from violence
Funder:
  • Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Ltd
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy and Jane Ussher
Years: 2017-07-03 - 2020-05-30
ID: P00024032
Title: Youth Housing Options Program Evaluation for Hume
Funder:
  • Hume Community Housing Association
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2017-02-16 - 2017-11-20
ID: P00024253
Title: Reducing Homelessness-Rapid Review
Funder:
  • The Sax Institute
Western Researchers: Megan Williams and Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2017-01-30 - 2017-08-14
ID: P00024295
Title: Improving the capacity of clinicians to identify and respond to gambling comorbidity among substance use treatment clients
Funder:
  • South Western Sydney Local Health District
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2021-07-01 - 2023-12-31
ID: P00027300
Title: The Misha Project [via UWA]
Funder:
  • Mission Australia (Philanthropic)
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2012-02-27 - 2014-11-30
ID: P00020628
Title: SWSLHD Drug Health Services Research Capacity Building Project
Funder:
  • South Western Sydney Local Health District
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2020-07-01 - 2023-10-30
ID: P00026649
Title: People with disability transitioning from prison and their pathways into homelessness
Funder:
  • Attorney General's Department
Western Researchers: Elizabeth Conroy, Lise Mogensen, Penny Abbott and Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Years: 2021-07-26 - 2022-04-29
ID: P00027534
Title: Assessing the needs of local youth to help guide drug and alcohol prevention strategies
Funder:
  • South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • University of Western Sydney
Western Researchers: Ilse Blignault and Elizabeth Conroy
Years: 2018-11-05 - 2019-06-04
ID: P00025232

Supervision

Doctor Conroy is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects

Current Supervision

Thesis Title: Mental Health as a Predictor for Dietary Habits: A Comparasin among Clinical and Non-clinical Adolescents using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA).
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: EXAMINING THE ACCESS AND USE OF HEALTH SERVICES BY HOMELESS PEOPLE IN URBAN AREAS IN GHANA
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: The Construction and Experience of Unemployment in Australian Unemployed Youth.
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Quality of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV services at Public Health Facilities of Southern, Ethiopia.
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: An Examination of Outcome Trajectories for Public Mental Health Inpatient Participants of a Brief Transdiagnostic Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention for Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: The Clinical Quality of Counselling and Psychotherapy Services of Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in NSW: survivors personal experience of the quality of therapeutic treatment and the threapeutic relationship provided by clinicians in public and private practice and clinicians perceptions of their own expertise.
Field of Research:

Previous Supervision

Thesis Title: Homelessness, Loneliness and Intersectionality: An Australian Study
Field of Research: Other Health; Mental Health Nursing; Psychology

Western Sydney University

Locked Bag 1797
Penrith NSW 2751

ABN 53 014 069 881
CRICOS Provider No: 00917k