Dr Jacob Keech is a Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Health at UniSC. He joined USC in 2020, and prior to this he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Dr Keech completed his PhD and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Griffith University.
Dr Keech’s primary research interests are in the development of theory and interventions for reducing the effect of stress on physical and psychological health, and performance. For example, his recent research developed a model of the mechanisms through which peoples’ beliefs about the nature of stress–stress mindset–influences stress-related outcomes. Subsequently, Dr Keech developed a novel intervention to change peoples’ stress mindset. His research also applies psychological theory to understanding and changing health behaviours (e.g., alcohol, sleep hygiene, screen time) and risky behaviours (swimming behaviours, driving behaviour during flood events).
Dr Keech’s research has been published in leading journals in the field including Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Emotion, and Drug and Alcohol Review. Dr Keech’s research has also been internationally recognised, with his PhD thesis being awarded the European Health Psychology Society Herman Schaalma PhD Award. Dr Keech is a Section Editor of the journal Stress & Health and an Editorial Board Member of the journal Psychology & Health. Dr Keech is also the Queensland State Chair for the Australian Psychological Society College of Health Psychologists.
Dr Keech is also a passionate teacher that enjoys engaging students in learning through linking research and theory with real world applications. His teaching has been recognised with a Griffith University Group Learning and Teaching citation awarded at the 2017 Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards for commitment to reflective practices to continuously improving his teaching and dedication to supporting the achievement of students in various equity groups.
Professional Memberships
- Member, Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Academic Member, APS College of Health Psychologists
- Member, Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM, USA)
- Member, European Health Psychology Society (EHPS)
- Member, Australasian Society of Behavioural Health and Medicine (ASBHM)
Awards / Fellowships
- 2022 Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- 2017-2020 Associate Fellow, Griffith University Learning and Teaching Academy
- 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards Group Learning and Teaching Citation ($2,000)
Committees
- State Chair – Queensland, APS College of Health Psychologists
- DPRET Forum Member, APS Division of Psychological Research, Education and Training (DPRET)
Editorial Roles
- Section Editor – Stress and Health
- Editorial Board Member – Psychology and Health
Professional Social Media
Research Grants
| Grant/Project Name | Investigators | Funding Body & A$ value | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improving self-management behaviours of prostate cancer survivors: building capacity in regional Queensland | Dr Hattie Wright, Prof Cindy Davis, Dr Jacob Keech, A/Prof Suzanne Broadbent, Dr Karina Rune | UniSC DVC(R) Launch Scheme – $26,755 | 2022-2023 |
| A longitudinal mixed methods investigation of forensic services officer wellbeing | Dr Jacob Keech | Queensland Police Service | 2020-2021 |
| Developing a culturally specific oral health promotion model for First Peoples children | A/Prof Kyra Hamilton, Prof Newell Johnson, Dr Jacob Keech, Prof Martin Hagger, A/Prof Maree Toombs, Prof Jeroen Kroon, Prof Lauren Williams, Stephanie Smith. | Colgate – Alliance for a Cavity Free Future (ACFF) Community Grant – $9,600 | 2020 |
| Development of a novel imagery intervention to change implicit theories about willpower: Evaluation in Australian and Chinese university students | A/Prof Kyra Hamilton, Dr Jacob Keech, Prof Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, Prof Martin Hagger, Dr Shimin Zhu, Prof Hector Tsang |
Griffith University (Health)/The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Faculty of Health and Social Sciences) Collaborative Research Scheme – $24,000 |
2019-2020 |
| Effects of message framing in drowning prevention communication: a temporal and self-regulatory framework | A/Prof Kyra Hamilton, Prof Martin Hagger, Dr Amy Peden, Dr Jacob Keech. |
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Industry Grant & School of Applied Psychology Griffith University – $7,200 |
2017-2018 |
Potential Research Projects for HDR & Honours Students
- Examining the relationship between stress mindset and stressor appraisals
- Developing an implicit test of stress mindset or other mindsets
For a complete list of research areas, please see Dr Keech’s Research Website
Research areas
- Health psychology
- Stress and health (theory development, measurement, non-clinical interventions, stress mindset and stress beliefs, coping)
- Health behaviour change and understanding theoretical determinants of health behaviour and (eg sugar consumption, physical activity, screen time, alcohol use, sleep hygiene)
- Decision-making for risky behaviours and risk prevention behaviours (promoting safe driving behaviour during flood events, water safety)
- Occupational health psychology and stress management in the workplace
- Dual-process theories (understanding non-conscious and reasoned influences on decision-making)
- Implicit theories (mindsets) about fundamental attributes (measurement, theory, and interventions)
Teaching areas
- Health Psychology
- Motivation and Emotion
Program coordinator
Selected Research Publications
- Keech, J.J.& Hamilton, K. (in press). An integrated dual-process model for coping behavior. Stress & Health. doi: 1002/smi.3121
- Keech, J.J., Cole, K.L., Hagger, M.S. & Hamilton, K. (2021). The association between stress mindset and physical and psychological wellbeing: Testing a stress beliefs model in police officers. Psychology & Health, 35(11), 1306-1325. doi:10.1080/08870446.2020.1743841
- Keech, J. J., Hagger, M. S. & Hamilton, K. (2021). Changing stress mindsets with a novel imagery intervention: A randomized controlled trial. Emotion, 21(1), 123-136. doi: 10.1037/emo0000678
- Keech, J. J., Smith, S. R., Peden, A. E., Hagger, M. S. & Hamilton, K. (2019). The lived experience of rescuing people who have driven into floodwater: Understanding challenges and identifying areas for providing support. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 30(2), 252-257. doi: 10.1002/hpja.181
- Keech, J. J., Hagger, M. S., O’Callaghan, F. V. & Hamilton, K. (2018). The influence of university students’ stress mindsets on health and performance outcomes. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52(12), 1046-1059. doi:
- Hamilton, K., Keech, J. J., Peden, A. E. & Hagger, M. S. (2018). Alcohol use, aquatic injury, and unintentional drowning: A systematic literature review. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37(6), 752-773.doi: 10.1111/dar.12817
Dr Jacob Keech’s specialist areas of knowledge include health psychology, stress and health, health behaviour change, health communication, and risky behaviour prevention. Within these areas, Dr Keech has specialist knowledge in the development and testing of theory, interventions, and psychological and behavioural measures.