The Psychosocial Research Group (PRG) comprises a research team dedicated to the exploration of the interrelationship between psychology and health.  The PRG’s two major research strengths are in the area of the psychosocial implications of genetics and the psychological impact of cancer (psycho-oncology).   


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 In relation to its research program into psychosocial aspects of genetics, the Psychosocial Research Group’s research program comprises several themes, including: the psychosocial impact of genetic counselling and testing for hereditary disease; psychological adjustment and behavioural impact of hereditary disease; and the design and evaluation of innovative patient education strategies that facilitate informed choices and enable people to translate such choices into appropriate screening and risk-reducing behaviours.  Major research strengths include research into the psychosocial implications of cancer genetics/genomics and reproductive genetic testing as well as psychiatric genetics/genomics, including research on the impact of living with a familial risk of a psychiatric disorder and communication about psychiatric genetics.
 
In relation to its research program in psycho-oncology, the Psychosocial Research Group is a leading research centre nationally and internationally in the area of the psychological and behavioural implications of cancer genetics.  Other areas of research relate to the development of decision aids for patients with, or at high risk for, cancer, including online and low literacy decision aids.  The Psychosocial Research Group has also developed innovative online training and educational interventions aimed at oncology health professionals. 
 
The Psychosocial Research Group includes full- and part-time researchers, students and administrative staff. The Psychosocial Research Group has developed an excellent reputation in the supervision of under-graduate and post-graduate students; thus far 35 research students have been supervised, including 14 PhD, two doctoral, nine masters, and one honours students as well as seven Independent Learning Project students.
The Psychosocial Research Group has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles since 2000. To support our research programs, we have received grants from several funding bodies, including: National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the Australian Research Council, Cancer Council of NSW, Cancer Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Cancer Institute NSW.