School of Psychology
McElwain Building
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD 4072
Australia

BSc (Hons I), University of Queensland

• PhD Candidate (confirmed), Health Psychology Research Unit, The University of Queensland.
• Master of Applied Psychology (Health) Student, The University of Queensland.
• General registrant of the Queensland Board of Psychologists (with Probationary Conditions).
• Member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders.
• Member of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine.
• Member of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology.

My research interests include; the sociocultural context of health, body image, promoting health at every body size, the mass media and health, the stigmatisation of overweight and obesity, and eating disorders.

My PhD research is focused on body image and the mass media. The aim of this research is to explore the potential health and marketing benefits of using a diverse range of body sizes and shapes in media imagery. Specifically, I am examining average-size models in advertisements, their ability to promote positive body image, and their marketing potential. This project is supported by The Butterfly Foundation.

Journal Articles:

Lucke, J.C., Diedrichs, P.C., Partridge, B., & Hall, W.D. (2009). Anticipating the anti-ageing pill. Lessons from the history of the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy. EMBO reports, 10, 108-113. 

Diedrichs, P.C., & Lee, C. (2009). Waif Goodbye! Average-size female models promote positive body image and appeal to consumers. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Diedrichs, P.C., & Lee, C. (2009). GI Joe or Average Joe? The impact of average-size male models on body image and advertising effectiveness. Manuscript in preparation.

Conference Presentations: 

Ahern, J. & Diedrichs, P.C. Photoshopped perfection: The impact of airbrushed models in the media on young women's body image and advertisement effectiveness. Paper accepted for presentation at the 7th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Brisbane, Australia.

Fletcher, R. & Diedrichs, P.C. 'Less is more': Fashion consumers' opinions on health, body image, and average-size models in the media. Paper accepted for presentation at the 7th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Brisbane, Australia.

Diedrichs, P.C., Huxley, L., & Miller, Y.D. (2009). Media messages about mothers' bodies: From "blooming, marvellous baby bump" to "yummy mummy, no tummy". Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Motherhood. Brisbane, Australia.

Diedrichs, P.C., Kelly, M., & Lee, C. (2009). “Show us real people!”:  A qualitative study of consumer opinions on the mass media and body image. Paper presented at the 6th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Auckland, New Zealand.

Diedrichs, P.C., & Barlow, F.K. (2009). Does this stigma make me look fat? Evaluating an anti-fat stigma intervention. Poster presented at the 6th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Auckland, New Zealand. Awarded Best Student Poster.

Diedrichs, P.C., Huxley, L., & Miller, Y.D. (2009). Media messages about the pregnant and postpartum body: From "blooming marvellous baby bump" to "yummy mummy no tummy". Poster presented at the 6th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Auckland, New Zealand.

Diedrichs, P.C., & Lee, C. (2008). An ecological approach to body image: Average-size models in the media. Paper presented at the 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine. Tokyo, Japan. 

Diedrichs, P.C., & Lee, C. (2008). Waif Goodbye! Average-size models in the media. Paper presented at Appearance Matters 3. Bristol, United Kingdom.

Diedrichs, P.C., & Lee, C. (2008). Changing the thin ideal: Investigating the use of average-size models in the media. Paper presented at the 5th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Behavioural Health and Medicine. Sydney, Australia. Awarded Overall Best Presentation.

Media Releases:

UQ research 'waifs' goodbye to poor body image.

Sample of Recent Media Clips:

"Thin model theory doesn't hold weight". Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). 13th November, 2008.

"Skinny models don't necessarily sell more products". Brand Republic (United Kingdom). 17th November, 2008.

"Skinny models are a turn-off in adverts".The Daily Telegraph (United Kingdom). 18th November, 2008.

"Size zero not the hero". Marketing (Australia). 18th November, 2008.                                                    

"True colours". The Age (Australia). 22nd November, 2008.

"Plus-size models sell well". City News (Australia). 27th November, 2008.

"Avatars at your service". Courier Mail (Australia). 18th March, 2009.

"Are models overrated?" Cleo (Australia). March 2009.