Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Professor Hunter's research takes place at the intersection between mental health and developmental psychology, and applies theoretical models of stress and coping within a social ecological framework to understand the psychological and social wellbeing of children and young people. At GCU, he leads the Child and Adolescent Health research group, and is a member of the Substance Use research group too. He is an Associate Editor at both Stigma and Health and the International Journal of Bullying Prevention.
Current research interests include violence reduction, loneliness, and mental illness stigma and involve collaborations with Prof Steve Houghton, Prof Pam Qualter, Dr Bryan McCann, the Mental Health Foundation, See Me, and Scottish Action for Mental Health.
Current student collaborators are:
- 2024- Ananya Singh and Ananyaa Rodricks Terence, both of whom are looking into mental illness stigma.
- 2023- Ashley Brown, Lyyana Damanhoori, and Jeeva Johnson are working on DPsych projects relating to mental health stigma among minority ethnic communities in the UK.
- 2022- Christy Sandbergen and Suzy Klein are working on DPsych projects which will consider resilience as an outcome of therapy, LGBTQ+ stigma, and experiences of loneliness.
- 2021- Annamae Burrows (PhD funded by GCU). This PhD will focus on how young men ‘do friendship’ and cope with loneliness, with and without alcohol. [Lead Supervisor: Prof Carol Emslie]
- 2021- Lea Delfmann (PhD funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network as part of the HealthCascade project; based at Ghent University in Belgium). Lea will develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based intervention to promote healthy behaviour in adolescents using a co-creation approach. [Lead Supervisor: Dr Maïté Verloigne]
- 2020- Rachel Taylor (PhD co-funded by the SGSSS and the Mental Health Foundation) examining children and young people's mental health, mental illness stigma experiences, and how these relate to peer-victimisation. [Lead Supervisor for Rachel: Prof Paul Flowers, based at University of Strathclyde]
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
Honorary Research Member, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Clinic, University of Western Australia
30 Sept 2020 → …
Keywords
- Developmental Psychology
- Bullying
- Mental illness stigma
- Loneliness
- Screen media use
- Public health
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 3 Finished
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GCU-SAMH Psychological Wellbeing Partnership (Phase 1)
McCann, B. (PI), McPherson, K. (CoI) & Hunter, S. (CoI)
Scottish Aation for Mental Health
1/09/22 → 22/12/23
Project: Research Grant
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“I think; therefore I am”: Cognitive Distortions and Loneliness in Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Houghton, S. (PI), Page, A. (CoI), Lawrence, D. (CoI), Hunter, S. (CoI) & Qualter, P. (CoI)
1/01/21 → 29/12/23
Project: Research Grant
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Assessing young people’s experiences of mental illness stigma and discrimination.
Hunter, S. (PI)
1/10/20 → 30/09/23
Project: Studentship
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An examination of hate-motivated behavior among adults in Scotland and associations with risk factors for self-directed violence
Russell, K., Hunter, S. C., Rasmussen, S., Quirke, A. & Cramer, R. J., Jun 2025, In: Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 40, 11-12, p. 2784-2808 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile17 Downloads (Pure) -
A systematic review of the barriers associated with help-seeking among students at risk of suicide
Cameron, G. C., Hunter, S. C., McCartney, R. C. & McKain, L., 2025, In: Educational Research and Evaluation. 30, 3-4, p. 190-211 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile36 Downloads (Pure) -
Examining stigma surrounding black women's mental health and its influence on support seeking
Brown, A. & Hunter, S., 25 Apr 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
Experiences with a co-creation process to adapt a healthy sleep intervention with adolescents - a health CASCADE process evaluation
Delfmann, L. R., de Boer, J., Schreier, M., Messiha, K., Deforche, B., Hunter, S. C., Cardon, G., Vandendriessche, A. & Verloigne, M., Apr 2025, In: Public Health. 241, p. 69-74 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)7 Downloads (Pure) -
Measurement invariance of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (Short Form) across Scottish and Australian adults living with severe and enduring mental illness
Hunter, S. C., Groot, C., Rehm, I., Finlay, J., Ewens, D., Paszula, I., Knifton, L., Jenkins, P., Lally, K., Cameron, J., Halliday, W., Rudd, B., Hobern, B., Andrews, C. & Blanchard, M., 13 Jan 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Stigma and Health.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile39 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Graduate School of Education Award for Research Impact and Innovation
Houghton, S. (Recipient), Hunter, S. (Recipient), Page, A. (Recipient), Grafton, B. (Recipient), Macqueen, L. (Recipient), Hunt, L. (Recipient), McLeod, C. (Recipient), Zeid, S. (Recipient) & Messenger, J. (Recipient), 15 Sept 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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International Journal of Bullying Prevention (Journal)
Hunter, S. (Editorial board member)
12 Jun 2020 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Editorial activity
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Interview on Clyde 1 radio.
Hunter, S. (Visitor)
23 Sept 2020Activity: Other › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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Is it “OK to not be OK” at school? Mental illness stigma.
Taylor, R. (Contributor), Johnson, R. (Contributor), Hunter, S. (Visitor), Cogan, N. (Contributor) & Corrigan, P. (Contributor)
4 Feb 2022Activity: Other › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation
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Measuring loneliness – three future challenges.
Hunter, S. (Visitor)
13 Oct 2022Activity: Other › Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation