Dr Elizabeth (Beth) Mayland

Position

Lecturer, Occupational Therapy

Biography

Beth completed her PhD in 2016 in the area of psychological distress following traumatic upper limb injuries from the University of Otago, Dunedin. She attained a Masters of Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2000) and a Bachelors of Arts (1996) in English and Psychology from Indiana University.

Beth worked as an Occupational Therapist specialising in Hand Therapy and lymphedema in public and private settings from 2000 until 2017 in the US and New Zealand. She previously worked as a lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety at the University of Otago focusing on ergonomics and psychological health and safety. She has been involved in several research projects exploring the psychological safety of workers in healthcare and industry roles and ways in which industry addresses psychosocial hazards. She is also working with a team of researchers from the Sydney area to investigate how the public health system addresses the mental health needs of patients following traumatic physical injuries. Examples of past projects include:

1. Recovery-related anxiety and disability following upper limb injury (Health Research Council of NZ)
2. An evolutionary concept development: Psychological distress after hand injury (Health Research Council of NZ)
3. An exploration of the concept of legitimacy in health decisions following traumatic upper limb injuries (Health Research Council of NZ)
4. Perceptions of value as a carer for a family member with dementia (Brain Research Centre)
5. An exploration of the goals and roles of carers working with individuals with dementia (Brain Research Centre)
6. Psychosocial hazards in the first 6 months of postgraduate study (University of Otago)
7. Review of contributing factors and interventions for musculoskeletal disorders in aged care workers (Centre for Work Health & Safety)
8. Barriers and facilitators to managing psychosocial risk at work (Centre for Work Health & Safety)
9. Concept analysis of psychological safety in sport
10. Exploration of mental health following traumatic upper limb injury in Southwest Sydney (Lincoln Centre)

Research Interests

• Injury
• Psychological injury
• Injury prevention
• Psychological impact of injury
• Psychosocial determinants of health
• Health service access
• Occupational health and safety
• Psychosocial hazards
• Patient recovery experience
• Models of care, health service provision
• Qualitative research
• Rehabilitation
• Social justice

Memberships

• Registered Occupational Therapist with AHPRA (2018)
• Associate Member Human Factors Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA)(2018)

Qualifications and Recognition

• PhD in Psychology and Medicine (University of Otago)
• MS in Occupational Therapy (University of Illinois at Chicgao)
• BA in English and Psychology (Indiana University)
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)(2006-2022)

Research & Publications

View my publications:

• ResearchGate profile (opens in a new window)
• Western staff profile (opens in a new window)
• Google Scholar profile (opens in a new window)

Contact Details