Dr Marlee Bower
The Matilda Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Dr Marlee Bower is a Senior Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre who is interested in the broader social determinants of mental health, particularly in understanding loneliness and isolation amongst marginalised individuals and how this relates to the built environment.
Marlee's research centres on the emotional and social wellbeing of vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on social isolation and loneliness. She is particularly interested in the mental health of marginalised populations, such as those experiencing homelessness and those experiencing incarceration, and how this is related to their social networks.
Marlee also conducts research on the way features of our built environment (such as our housing and neighbourhood) impacts our mental health.
- Evaluation of the EQUIPS Programs in NSW Prisons. NSW Department of Justice: Corrective Services NSW (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
- CoVid-19 Mental Health Think Tank: BHP Foundation (Academic lead)
- Network of Research in the Built Environment and Mental Health: Henry Halloran Trust (Convenor)
- Mental Illness and Offending Project: NSW Department of Justice: Corrective Services NSW
- Establishing a research methodology of wellbeing in NSW Correctional Centres: Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Inspector of Custodial Services (CIA)
- Alone Together: Longitudinal assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and substance use of Australians. (CIA)
Current:
· The Haymarket Foundation - Board Member
· The International Society of Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP) - Member
· The Loneliness and Social Isolation in Mental Health Network (UCL) - Member
Previous:
· The Australian Psychological Society College of Community Psychologists - National Committee Member
· The Australian Psychological Society Homelessness and Psychology Interest Group - Committee Member
· The British Psychological Society - Member
· Australian Psychological Society - Associate Member
· PREMISE NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in prevention research on mental health and substance use among young people - Associate Member
| Project title | Research student |
|---|---|
| Responding to a changing climate: Measuring and future-proofing against the impacts of natural disasters on youth mental health | Amarina DONOHOE-BALES |
| Responding to the Mental Health Effects of Climate Change Among Youth | Eliza-rose GORDON |
Publications
Book Chapters
- Patulny, R., McKenzie, J., Bower, M., Olson, R. (2020). Reconnecting after coronavirus: 4 key ways cities can counter anxiety and loneliness. In Molly Glassey (Eds.), 2020: The Year That Changed Us, (pp. 65-68). Port Melbourne: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
Journals
- Botha, F., Bower, M. (2024). Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data. BMC Public Health, 24(1). [More Information]
- Bower, M., Howard, M., Stapinski, L., Doyle, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E. (2024). The profile of people entering the ‘EQUIPS’ offender treatment programs in New South Wales’. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 36(1), 1-15. [More Information]
- Feakins, C., Barrett, E., Bower, M. (2024). Trauma-Heritage: Towards a Trauma-Informed Understanding of Heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies. [More Information]
Report
- Bower, M., Smout, S., Ellsmore, S., Donohoe-Bales, A., Sivaprakash, P., Lim, C., Gray, M., Francis, A., Grager, A., Riches, J., et al (2021). COVID-19 and Australia's Mental Health An overview of academic literature, policy documents, lived experience accounts, media and community reports.
2024
- Botha, F., Bower, M. (2024). Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data. BMC Public Health, 24(1). [More Information]
- Bower, M., Howard, M., Stapinski, L., Doyle, M., Newton, N., Barrett, E. (2024). The profile of people entering the ‘EQUIPS’ offender treatment programs in New South Wales’. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 36(1), 1-15. [More Information]
- Feakins, C., Barrett, E., Bower, M. (2024). Trauma-Heritage: Towards a Trauma-Informed Understanding of Heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies. [More Information]
2023
- Bower, M., Smout, S., Donohoe-Bales, A., Oâ™Dean, S., Teesson, L., Boyle, J., Lim, D., Nguyen, A., Calear, A., Batterham, P., Gournay, K., Teesson, M. (2023). A hidden pandemic? An umbrella review of global evidence on mental health in the time of COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. [More Information]
- Teesson, M., Smout, S., Donohoe-Bales, A., Bower, M. (2023). A mentally healthy future for all Australians. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, 156, 93-97.
- Bower, M., Olsen, N., Peach, N., Green, O., Duarte, C., Valpiani, P., Teesson, M. (2023). Feasibility of telehealth counselling pilot for people experiencing homelessness and/or complex needs: During COVID-19 and beyond. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. [More Information]
2022
- Bower, M., Buckle, C., Rugel, E., Donohoe-Bales, A., McGrath, L., Gournay, K., Barrett, E., Phibbs, P., Teesson, M. (2022). 'Trapped', 'anxious' and 'traumatised': COVID-19 intensified the impact of housing inequality on Australians' mental health. International Journal of Housing Policy, Forthcoming Special Issue on COVID-19 and Housing. [More Information]
- Patulny, R., Bower, M. (2022). Beware the “loneliness gap”? Examining emerging inequalities and long-term risks of loneliness and isolation emerging from COVID-19. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 57(3), 562-583. [More Information]
- Bower, M., Gournay, K., Perz, J., Conroy, E. (2022). 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, 30(5), e1671-e1677. [More Information]
2021
- Bower, M., Smout, S., Ellsmore, S., Donohoe-Bales, A., Sivaprakash, P., Lim, C., Gray, M., Francis, A., Grager, A., Riches, J., et al (2021). COVID-19 and Australia's Mental Health An overview of academic literature, policy documents, lived experience accounts, media and community reports.
- Bower, M., Perz, J., 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, 31(1), 68-82. [More Information]
2020
- Patulny, R., McKenzie, J., Bower, M., Olson, R. (2020). Reconnecting after coronavirus: 4 key ways cities can counter anxiety and loneliness. In Molly Glassey (Eds.), 2020: The Year That Changed Us, (pp. 65-68). Port Melbourne: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
2018
- Bower, M., Conroy, E., Perz, J. (2018). Australian homeless persons' experiences of social connectedness, isolation and loneliness. Health and Social Care in the Community, 26(2), e241-e248. [More Information]
Selected Grants
2023
- Climate Change and Mental Health Incubator, Bower M, The Henry Halloran Trust/Incubator
- The Mentally Healthy Future Project - Maree Teesson, Teesson M, Smout S, Bower M, BHP Foundation (USA)/Philanthropic Grant
2020
- Evaluation of a telehealth counselling project for Haymarket Foundation clients, Bower M, The Haymarket Foundation Ltd/Digital Counselling for people experiencing homelessness - during COVID 19 and beyond
- CoVid19 Mental Health Response Independent Think Tank, Teesson M, Bower M, Stears M, Smout S, BHP Foundation (USA)/Research Grant
- Alone Together: the impacts of COVD-19 and housing on the mental health of Australians (20HT01), Bower M, The Henry Halloran Trust/Festival of Urbanism Research Grant
Pieces in The Conversation
Bower, M., Botha, F. & Deady, M. (2024) Loneliness in the workplace is greatest among men with traditional views about being the breadwinner(16 July 2024)
Kent, J., Rugel, E. & Bower, M. (2023) Why loneliness is both an individual thing and a shared result of the cities we create(25 January 2023).
Bower, M., Smout, S. & Teesson, M. (2022) What's taking the biggest toll on our mental health? Disconnection, financial stress and long wait lists for care(7 June 2022).
Patulny R. & Bower, M. (2021) Lonely after lockdown? How COVID may leave us with fewer friends if we are not careful (12 October 2021)
Teesson, M., Bower, M. & Stears, M. (2021) Most of us will recover our mental health after lockdown. But some will find it harder to bounce back. (7 October 2021)
Patulny, R. Mckenzie, J., Bower M. & Olson, R. (2020) Reconnecting after coronavirus – 4 key ways cities can counter anxiety and loneliness.(27 April 2020):
Opinion Pieces
Sydney Morning Herald: M Bower & M Teesson, Time for Politicians to Talk about the Youth Mental Health Crisis (29 April 2022)
News.com.au/Herald Sun:How to deal with social anxiety once lockdown endswith Teesson, M., Stapinski, L and Baillie A.
In the media
Interviewed forAbout 13 million spare bedrooms belonging to older Australians could help ease housing crisis - ABC Newson 10/12/2024
Interviewed for The best way to help women? End the male loneliness epidemic.On The Independent, 09/11/2024
Interviewed by Lucy Dean for,Beat loneliness by joining a book club: it could make you happier, smarter and even live longer,Australian Financial Review,6thSeptember 2024
Interviewed by ABC Sydney Drive, ABC Melbourne Drive, ABC Alice Springs and 2ser 17 July 2024 on male loneliness and workplaces
Interviewed by Triple J Hack 11 July 2023andABC News TV 15 July 2023 on why it's difficult for young people to make new friends.
Interviewed on ABC Breakfast 29 January 2023 on why city planning can make loneliness worse.
Research featured in 7News, Crikey, Daily Mail, Canberra Times, The West AustralianCOVID hits mental health and hip pockets by Farid Farid via AAP (7 June 2022). Related interview on Radio Adelaide Breakfast and 2CC Canberra Drive (8 June 2022)
Research featured in Sydney Morning Herald article 'Like a buyer's agent but for renters': Sydneysiders seek professional help to find homesby Caitlin Fitzsimmons, 22 May 22
Research featured in the Guardian articleWhy 'pruning' friends has been so common during the pandemic, by Sophie Black
Interviewed for SBS World TV News 25 December 2021, on many Australians in COVID isolation over Christmas by Cassandra Bain
Domain.com.auThe importance of a 'happy' home and what it means for our wellbeingBy Larissa Ham
Featured on The Project (Channel 10), 'The long-term effect of COVID-19 on friendships' October 22
Research Featured on Radio National All in the Mind 'Tears, Fears and Hope - Your Pandemic Life'
Interviewed by Richard Glover on ABC Sydney Drive 12 October 2020
Millie Roberts "What to do if you catch yourself constantly doomscrolling" Junkee News 23 Sept 2021
Interviewed for the Today Show (Channel 9) ‘We might be in the same storm, but we're not all in the same boat’ 14 August 21 https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1426386328934129668
Research featured on ABC AM radio show, ‘Housing conditions affect mental health during lockdown’, Norman Hermant, 13 August 21 https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/am/housing-conditions-affect-mental-health-during-lockdown/13495612
Interviewed for ABC News by Thomas Oriti on 13 August 21.
Research featured and interviewed in ABC Online ‘Poor housing has direct impact on mental health during COVID lockdowns, study finds’, Norman Hermant, 13 August 2021https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-13/covid-lockdown-mental-health-and-anxiety-depends-on-housing/100369398
ABC Big Ideas Pandemic Fatigue: Young Australians and Mental Health 21 August 2021
Panel member for Pandemic Fatigue: Young Australians and Mental Health program, SkyNews Extra TV Channel, 7 August 2021.
Interviewed for ABC Everyday Article 'How micro-interactions can help us feel less lonely during the pandemic', Patrick Wright, 29 July 2021: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/loneliness-micro-interactions-during-pandemic/100315922
Interviewed for Daily Telegraph: 'Young & restless in lockdown isolation', Georgia Clark, July 23, 2021.
Interviewed on FBi Radio Backchat program onmental health and the pandemic, 17 July 2021.
Interviewed for Daily Telegraph article on Alone Together Study results on the impact of COVID state borders closure on family relationships and mental health: 'States Of the Reunion' Jessica McSweeney, Dec 5, 2020.
Interviewed by BBC Worklife article on Alone Together Study -how COVID-19 is changing our social networks.
Interviewed for SBS online news article onhow coronavirus will change the way Australians live long after restrictions are lifted.
Interviewed for Radio: 2ser morning show onhow our lives will change after the ease of Coronavirus Restrictions.