Urska Arnautovska is an early career clinical academic, working as a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine and as a general psychologist in private practice. Following her professional training in Slovenia, she focused her research on suicide which led her to receiving an appointment at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention and, since 2008, a National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention. In addition to her research work, she acted as a research coordinator of the Life Promotion Clinic and was involved in the management and analysis of clinical data pertaining to the patients of the clinic, which presented with complex mental health problems and suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Her subsequent research remained focused on mental health, and in more recent years, become dedicated to improving health outcomes in people with severe mental illness. Her PhD, for which she received a competitive Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2012-2016), investigated the motivational processes underlying physical activity in older adults and was awarded the Australian Psychology Society (APS) Award for Excellent Higher Degree Thesis in Health Psychology. She has 36 peer-reviewed publications, with over half being the first author, and has over $4.8 million in research grants.
Dr Arnautovska’s research work has been cited in a range of subject areas which expand over three times beyond the subject areas she had published in. Among the citing institutions are Health Education and Training Institute Higher Education, Ministry of Education China, Ministry for the Family, Italian Psychogeriatric Association, and Harvard Medical School. Her contribution to the evaluation of Queensland Community Care Units was cited in the report on models of care for Victorians living with severe and persistent mental illness, commissioned by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2020).
Journal Article: Prevalence of frailty in severe mental illness: findings from the UK Biobank
Warren, Nicola, Leske, Stuart, Arnautovska, Urska, Northwood, Korinne, Kisely, Steve and Siskind, Dan (2023). Prevalence of frailty in severe mental illness: findings from the UK Biobank. BJPsych Open, 9 (6) e185, 1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.580
Journal Article: Verbal and visual learning ability in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a 1-year follow-up study
Arnautovska, Urska, Vitangcol, Kathryn, Kesby, James P., Warren, Nicola, Rossell, Susan L., Neill, Erica, Harris, Anthony, Galletly, Cherrie, Castle, David and Siskind, Dan (2023). Verbal and visual learning ability in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a 1-year follow-up study. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, 33 100283. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2023.100283
Siskind, Dan, Baker, Andrea, Russell, Anthony, Warren, Nicola, Robinson, Gail, Parker, Stephen, Medland, Sarah, Kisely, Steve, Hager, Tineka and Arnautovska, Urska (2023). Effects of semaglutide on body weight in clozapine-treated people with schizophrenia and obesity: study protocol for a placebo-controlled, randomised multicentre trial (COaST). BJPsych Open, 9 (4) e136, 1-6. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.532
(2022–2029) NHMRC MRFF - Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need
(2022–2024) Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant
Suicidal behaviour in older adults
De Leo, Diego and Arnautovska, Urska (2019). Suicidal behaviour in older adults. Primary care mental health in older people: a global perspective. (pp. 199-210) edited by Carlos Augusto de Mendonça Lima and Gabriel Ivbijaro. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-10814-4_17
Prevention and treatment of suicidality in older adults
Diego, de Leo and Urska, Arnautovska (2016). Prevention and treatment of suicidality in older adults. The international handbook of suicide prevention. (pp. 323-345) edited by Rorry O’Connor and Jane Pirkis. London, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118903223.ch18
Prevention and treatment of suicidality in old age
De Leo, Diego and Arnautovska, Urska (2011). Prevention and treatment of suicidality in old age. The international handbook of suicide prevention: research, policy and practice. (pp. 309-328) edited by Rorry C. O'Connor, Stephen Platt and Jackie Gordon. London, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781119998556.ch18
Prevalence of frailty in severe mental illness: findings from the UK Biobank
Warren, Nicola, Leske, Stuart, Arnautovska, Urska, Northwood, Korinne, Kisely, Steve and Siskind, Dan (2023). Prevalence of frailty in severe mental illness: findings from the UK Biobank. BJPsych Open, 9 (6) e185, 1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.580
Arnautovska, Urska, Vitangcol, Kathryn, Kesby, James P., Warren, Nicola, Rossell, Susan L., Neill, Erica, Harris, Anthony, Galletly, Cherrie, Castle, David and Siskind, Dan (2023). Verbal and visual learning ability in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a 1-year follow-up study. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, 33 100283. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2023.100283
Siskind, Dan, Baker, Andrea, Russell, Anthony, Warren, Nicola, Robinson, Gail, Parker, Stephen, Medland, Sarah, Kisely, Steve, Hager, Tineka and Arnautovska, Urska (2023). Effects of semaglutide on body weight in clozapine-treated people with schizophrenia and obesity: study protocol for a placebo-controlled, randomised multicentre trial (COaST). BJPsych Open, 9 (4) e136, 1-6. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.532
Northwood, Korinne, Pearson, E., Arnautovska, U., Kisely, S., Pawar, M., Sharma, M., Vitangcol, K., Wagner, E., Warren, N. and Siskind, Dan (2023). Optimising plasma clozapine levels to improve treatment response: an individual patient data meta-analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 222 (6) PII S0007125023000272, 241-245. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2023.27
Kisely, Steve, Alotiby, Meshary Khaled N., Protani, Melinda M., Soole, Rebecca, Arnautovska, Urska and Siskind, Dan (2023). Breast cancer treatment disparities in patients with severe mental illness: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Psycho-Oncology, 32 (5), 651-662. doi: 10.1002/pon.6120
Kisely, Steve, Leske, Stuart, Arnautovska, Urska, Siskind, Dan, Northwood, Korinne, Warren, Nicola, Suetani, Shuichi and Najman, Jake Moses (2023). A 40-year study of child maltreatment over the early life course predicting psychiatric morbidity, using linked birth cohort and administrative health data: protocol for the Childhood Adversity and Lifetime Morbidity (CALM) study. BJPsych Open, 9 (2) e50. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.29
Arnautovska, Urska, Siskind, Dan, Pearson, Ella, Baker, Andrea, Reid, Natasha, Kwan, Winona Wing Ling, Wang, Nancy, Gordon, Emily, Hubbard, Ruth and Warren, Nicola (2023). Comprehensive geriatric assessment for younger outpatients with severe mental illness: protocol for a feasibility study. BMJ open, 13 (2) e069518. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069518
Arnautovska, Urska, Kesby, James P, Korman, Nicole, Rebar, Amanda L., Chapman, Justin, Warren, Nicola, Rossell, Susan L., Dark, Frances L. and Siskind, Dan (2022). Biopsychology of physical activity in people with schizophrenia: an integrative perspective on barriers and intervention strategies. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 18, 2917-2926. doi: 10.2147/ndt.s393775
Parker, Stephen, Arnautovska, U., Korman, N., Harris, M. and Dark, F. (2022). Comparative effectiveness of integrated peer support and clinical staffing models for community-based residential mental health rehabilitation: a prospective observational study. Community Mental Health Journal, 59 (3), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10597-022-01023-8
Assessing the content validity of the revised health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS 2018)
Harris, Meredith G., Tapp, Caley, Arnautovska, Urska, Coombs, Tim, Dickson, Rosemary, James, Mick, Painter, Jon, Smith, Mark, Jury, Angela, Lai, Jennifer and Burgess, Philip M. (2022). Assessing the content validity of the revised health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS 2018). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (16) 9895, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19169895
Harris, Meredith G., Tapp, Caley, Arnautovska, Urska, Coombs, Tim, Dickson, Rosemary, Smith, Mark, Jury, Angela, Lai, Jennifer, James, Mick, Painter, Jon and Burgess, Philip M. (2022). Assessing the content validity of the revised Health of the Nation Outcome Scales 65+: the HoNOS Older Adults. BJPsych Bulletin, 47 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2022.37
Frailty and Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Pearson, Ella, Siskind, Dan, Hubbard, Ruth, Gordon, Emily, Coulson, Elizabeth, Arnautovska, Urska and Warren, Nicola (2022). Frailty and Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Community Mental Health Journal, 59 (1), 1-5. doi: 10.1007/s10597-022-00998-8
Snoswell, Centaine L., Arnautovska, Urska, Haydon, Helen M., Siskind, Dan and Smith, Anthony C. (2022). Increase in telemental health services on the Medicare Benefits Schedule after the start of the coronavirus pandemic: data from 2019 to 2021. Australian Health Review, 46 (5), 544-549. doi: 10.1071/ah22078
Arnautovska, Urska, Neill, Erica, Rossell, Susan L, Yolland, Caitlin, Galletly, Cherrie, Harris, Anthony, Castle, David J and Siskind, Dan (2021). Does the clozapine/norclozapine ratio predict cognitive performance in patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (7), 48674211062828-878. doi: 10.1177/00048674211062828
McPhedran, Samara, Eriksson, Li, Arnautovska, Urska, Mazerolle, Paul and Johnson, Holly (2021). Psychological Autopsy: A Method to Assist in the Identification of Risk and Protective Factors for Intimate Partner Femicide. Violence Against Women, 28 (5) 107780122110582, 1-17. doi: 10.1177/10778012211058214
Parker, Stephen, Arnautovska, Urska, McKeon, Gemma and Kisely, Steve (2021). The association between discontinuation of community treatment orders and outcomes in the 12-months following discharge from residential mental health rehabilitation. International journal of law and psychiatry, 74 101664, 101664. doi: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2020.101664
Eriksson, L., Arnautovska, U., McPhedran, S., Mazerolle, P. and Wortley, R. (2020). Child and adult attachment styles among individuals who have committed filicide: the case for examining attachment by gender. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 20 (1), 63-79. doi: 10.1080/14999013.2020.1821128
Arnautovska, Urska, McKeon, Gemma, Dark, Frances, Siskind, Dan, Harris, Meredith and Parker, Stephen (2020). Predictors of unplanned discharge from community-based residential mental health rehabilitation for people affected by severe and persistent mental illness. Journal of Mental Health, 30 (4), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1755025
Parker, S., Arnautovska, U., Siskind, D., Dark, F., McKeon, G., Korman, N. and Harris, M. (2020). Community-care unit model of residential mental health rehabilitation services in Queensland, Australia: predicting outcomes of consumers 1-year post discharge. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29 e109, 1-11. doi: 10.1017/s2045796020000207
Parker, Stephen, Siskind, Dan, Hermens, Daniel F., Dark, Frances, McKeon, Gemma, Korman, Nicole, Arnautovska, Urska, Harris, Meredith and Whiteford, Harvey (2019). A comprehensive cohort description and statistical grouping of community-based residential rehabilitation service users in Australia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10 798, 798. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00798
Arnautovska, Urska, Fleig, Lena, O'Callaghan, Frances and Hamilton, Kyra (2019). Older adults' physical activity: the integration of autonomous motivation and theory of planned behaviour constructs. Australian Psychologist, 54 (1), 46-54. doi: 10.1111/ap.12346
Behaviour change techniques to facilitate physical activity in older adults: what and how
Arnautovska, Urska, O'Callaghan, Frances and Hamilton, Kyra (2018). Behaviour change techniques to facilitate physical activity in older adults: what and how. Ageing and Society, 38 (12), 2590-2616. doi: 10.1017/s0144686x17001027
Efficacy of telerehabilitation for adults with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
Ownsworth, Tamara, Arnautovska, Urska, Beadle, Elizabeth, Shum, David H. K. and Moyle, Wendy (2018). Efficacy of telerehabilitation for adults with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 33 (4), E33-E46. doi: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000350
Moyle, Wendy, Arnautovska, Urska, Ownsworth, Tamara and Jones, Cindy (2017). Potential of telepresence robots to enhance social connectedness in older adults with dementia: an integrative review of feasibility. International Psychogeriatrics, 29 (12), 1951-1964. doi: 10.1017/s1041610217001776
Arnautovska, Urska, Fleig, Lena, O'Callaghan, Frances and Hamilton, Kyra (2017). A longitudinal investigation of older adults' physical activity: testing an integrated dual-process model. Psychology and Health, 32 (2), 166-185. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2016.1250273
Arnautovska, Urska, O'Callaghan, Frances and Hamilton, Kyra (2017). Applying the integrated behavior change model to understanding physical activity among older adults: a qualitative study. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 39 (1), 43-55. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2015-0330
Older adults' perceptions of physical activity within the process of aging
Arnautovska, Urska, O'Callaghan, Frances and Hamilton, Kyra (2017). Older adults' perceptions of physical activity within the process of aging. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 4 (1), 76-86. doi: 10.14485/HBPR.4.1.9
Arnautovska, Urska, Robleda, Sofia, Jackson, Jeanette and Pachana, Nancy A. (2016). The knowledge and skills assessment (KASA) tool in the Australian Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service: development and initial testing. International Psychogeriatrics, 28 (5), 833-844. doi: 10.1017/S1041610215002070
Arnautovska, Urska, McPhedran, S., Kelly, B., Reddy, P. and De Leo, D. (2016). Geographic variation in suicide rates in Australian farmers: why is the problem more frequent in Queensland than in New South Wales?. Death Studies, 40 (6), 367-372. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2016.1153007
Arnautovska, U., McPhedran, S. and De Leo, D. (2015). Differences in characteristics between suicide cases of farm managers compared to those of farm labourers in Queensland, Australia. Rural and Remote Health, 15 (3).
A regional approach to understanding farmer suicide rates in Queensland
Arnautovska, Urska, McPhedran, Samara and De Leo, Diego (2014). A regional approach to understanding farmer suicide rates in Queensland. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 49 (4), 593-599. doi: 10.1007/s00127-013-0777-9
Arnautovska, U., Sveticic, J. and De Leo, D. (2014). What differentiates homeless persons who died by suicide from other suicides in Australia? A comparative analysis using a unique mortality register. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 49 (4), 583-589. doi: 10.1007/s00127-013-0774-z
Review of suicide-prevention programs in Queensland: state-and community-level activities
Arnautovska, Urska, Kolves, Kairi, Ide, Naoko and De Leo, Diego (2013). Review of suicide-prevention programs in Queensland: state-and community-level activities. Australian Health Review, 37 (5), 660-665. doi: 10.1071/ah12020
Community care of individuals at risk of suicide: the Life Promotion Clinic model
Kolves, Kairi, Arnautovska, Urska, De Gioannis, Angelo and De Leo, Diego (2013). Community care of individuals at risk of suicide: the Life Promotion Clinic model. Mental Illness, 5 (2) e12, 41-45. doi: 10.4081/mi.2013.e12
Attitudes toward suicide in the adolescent population
Arnautovska, Urska and Grad, Onja (2010). Attitudes toward suicide in the adolescent population. Crisis – The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 31 (1), 21-28. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000009
Telemental Health Services on the Medicare Benefits Scheme: data from 2019 to 2021
Snoswell, Centaine L., Arnautovska, Urska, Haydon, Helen M., Siskind, Dan and Smith, Anthony (2022). Telemental Health Services on the Medicare Benefits Scheme: data from 2019 to 2021. The Successes and Failures in Telehealth (SFT) Conference 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9-11 November 2022. Australian Telehealth Society.
Mental Telehealth Services on the Medicare Benefits Scheme 2019 to 2021
Snoswell, Centaine L., Arnautovska, Urska, Haydon, Helen M., Siskind, Dan and Smith, Anthony C. (2022). Mental Telehealth Services on the Medicare Benefits Scheme 2019 to 2021. University of Queensland Early Career Researcher Symposium 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 18-19 May 2022. The University of Queensland.
Consumer-reported outcome measures: why bother asking?
Harris, M., Burgess, P., Arnautovska, U., Woody, C. and Coombs, T. (2019). Consumer-reported outcome measures: why bother asking?. 7th Australasian Mental Health Outcomes and Information Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 30 October-1 November 2019.
Milton, Alyssa C., Ozols, Ingrid, Cassidy, Tayla, Jordan, Dana, Brown, Ellie, Arnautovska, Urska, Cook, Jim, Phung, Darren, Lloyd-Evans, Brynmor, Johnson, Sonia, Hickie, Ian B. and Glozier, Nick (2023). Co-production of a flexibly delivered relapse prevention tool to support self-management for long-term mental health conditions: A co-design and user-testing study. LCC Working Paper Series. 2023-11. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland Australia. doi: 10.14264/1b2b547
Harris, Meredith , Tapp, Caley , Arnautovska, Urska , Coombs, Tim , Dickson, Rosemary , Smith, Mark , Jury, Angela , Lai, Jennifer , James, Mick , Painter, Jon and Burgess, Philip (2021). Assessing the content validity of the revised Health of the Nation Outcome Scales 65+: the HoNOS Older Adults. Sydney, Australia: Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network.
Assessing the content validity of the revised Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS 2018)
Harris, Meredith , Tapp, Caley , Arnautovska, Urska , Coombs, Tim , Dickson, Rosemary , James, Mick , Painter, Jon , Smith, Mark , Jury, Angela , Lai, Jennifer and Burgess, Philip (2021). Assessing the content validity of the revised Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS 2018). Sydney, Australia: Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network.
(2022–2029) NHMRC MRFF - Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need
(2022–2024) Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant