Christopher Pepping

Dr Pepping is Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology in the School of Applied Psychology. His research is focused broadly on the social determinants of mental health and has two main interdependent themes: (1) mental health of stigmatized groups, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ populations; and (2) close relationships, including the role of social connection and disconnection in mental health outcomes, experiences of singlehood, and the conditions under which relationship processes may buffer the effects of stigma. Dr Pepping’s research program includes national longitudinal cohort studies, intervention development and evaluation, and experimental research. His work has featured in national and international media, including SBS, ABC Radio, New York Times, Yahoo News, The Independent, and Medical News Today.

Dr Pepping is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and a Member of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Mental Health Foundation Australia, and has served on Editorial Boards of scientific journals including Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Mindfulness, and BMC Psychology. He teaches and supervises students enrolled in postgraduate psychology programs and provides training to psychologists and mental health practitioners in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy. Dr Pepping is passionate about research supervision and has supervised to successful completion 41 PhD, Doctorate, Masters, and Honours students. He also maintains a small clinical practice.

Research Interests: LGBTQ+ mental health; Mental health consequences of stigma; social/relational determinants of psychopathology; role of internalized stigma in the development and maintenance of mental health problems; singlehood experiences (well-being, stigmatization, and mental health outcomes); romantic relationships; diversity in relationships.