Sherman, Kerry

PURPOSE: Individuals with lipoedema may experience negative impacts that are not often identified through current quality-of-life measures. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of individuals living with pre-existing lipoede…

Body image disturbance is a commonly experienced psychological impact of endometriosis and other chronic pelvic pain (CPP) conditions (e.g., vulvodynia). This systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative literature aimed to describe …

Objective: Endometriosis is an incurable inflammatory condition, characterised by chronic pelvic pain, among other symptoms. Optimal symptom management is dependent on an individual's preferences, underscoring the need for person-centred ca…

Difficulties in cognitive functioning (e.g., memory, attention) are common in chronic conditions characterized by physical pain, fatigue and depression. Yet investigations in endometriosis are lacking. We aimed to assess: (1) perceived cogn…

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease involving endometrial tissue growth outside of the uterus (Wiese & Emmers-Sommer, 2023), which results in a local inflammatory response (Kennedy et al., 2005). Endometriosis is estimated to a…

Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition, affects approximately 10% of individuals at reproductive age globally (WHO, 2023). People living with endometriosis (PLWE) experience a multitude of symptoms, such as pain (including painful …

OBJECTIVES: Body image disturbance is prevalent in people with endometriosis. This study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the My Changed Body (MyCB) writing activity for body image in people with e…

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic condition that affects an estimated 14% of biological women of reproductive age in Australia (AIHW). Symptoms include severe and chronic pelvic pain, and lifelong management is required because endometrio…

People living with endometriosis (PLWE) commonly feel inadequately informed and overwhelmed about the available endometriosis treatment options and are often forced to adopt a trail-and-error approach to treatment. This project aims to util…

BACKGROUND: Sexual health communication between general practitioners (GPs) and individuals with chronic diseases is well documented as an important component of sexual well-being. However, a notable gap exists in understanding factors that…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis, a systemic chronic inflammatory condition which has no cure, has a high symptom burden that can negatively impact every facet of life. Given the absence of a gold-standard treatment, the best symptom management re…

Prior research has identified that the chronic condition endometriosis negatively impacts psychological wellbeing and quality of life. Less is known about its impact on one's social and personal relationships. This project aims to examine p…

OBJECTIVE: Diminished quality of life, inadequate support and social isolation are commonly experienced by individuals living with the chronic pain condition, endometriosis. We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of EndoSMS…

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 lockdowns caused widespread closures of supportive care services for breast cancer survivors in Australia. In a randomized controlled trial, our team's lifestyle-focused, evidence-based SMS text message support program …

INTRODUCTION: As a high symptom burden chronic condition, endometriosis is associated with diminished quality of life (QoL) and psychological distress. The EndoSMS text message intervention was developed to inform and support individuals li…

OBJECTIVE: Extensive psychological burden is associated with the experience of living with endometriosis, including negative changes to body image and sexual functioning. Emerging evidence suggests that potential protective factors such as …

OBJECTIVE: A high symptom burden systemic inflammatory disorder, endometriosis typically entails both medical management and self-management strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia precipitated changes to healthcare provision, societ…

BACKGROUND: Research has identified that living with the chronic inflammatory disease endometriosis adversely impacts social functioning and interpersonal relationships, specifically, feelings of loneliness and a lack of perceived social su…

Background and Rationale Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease experienced by approximately 10% of people assigned female at birth, which translates to around 200 million women and adolescents globally (As-Sanie et al., 2019). The…

This two-part project aims to investigate the role of self-compassion in individuals living with endometriosis. The first part of this project will examine the relationship between social-media usage and self-compassion using a cross-sectio…

Gynaecological conditions (e.g., endometriosis, PCOS) result in bodily changes that negatively impact body image. Psychological interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation) have shown promise in reviews with the general population for allevia…

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease affecting 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, that can result in appearance-based and functional bodily changes which can negatively impact body image. Empirical evidence supports the body di…

Applying psychological and communication theory, this study will co-design and pilot a text message program (ENDOTEXT) to improve the quality of life of individuals living with endometriosis. Our multidisciplinary team with expertise in hea…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis, which affects 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with a high symptom burden and adverse socioemotional impacts. There is a need for an accessible, cost-effective, a…