Dr Maria Vassos
Research Fellow
School of Education
+61 7 344 34264
Publications
Book
Vassos, Maria, Greenwood, Kenneth and Jackson, Mervyn (2010). The new TAIS - Superior to the original TAIS? An exploration of the psychometric properties of the revised Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (the TAIS2). Saarbrucken, Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller.
Book Chapter
Nankervis, Karen L. and Vassos, Maria V. (2019). Agencies and professions in the provision of care. Handbook of intellectual disabilities: integrating theory, research, and practice. (pp. 201-217) edited by Johnny L. Matson. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-20843-1_13
Journal Articles
Fisher, Alinka, Louise, Kymberly, Dobek, Monika, McRae, Jo, Clissold, Maverick, Reschke, Katrina, Fox, Russell, Leif, Erin, Vassos, Maria, Ellis, Jane, Annear, Katharine, Figueiredo, Sessina, Cubis, Lee, Cheung, Sau Chi, Spicer, Matthew, Nankervis, Karen, McVilly, Keith and Freeman, Rachel (2024). A positive behaviour support practice framework for disability and community services in Australia that prioritises human rights and evidence-based practices. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2402079
Carberry, Trent, Wardale, Simon, Hutchison, Sarah, Lackey, Susan and Vassos, Maria (2024). Positive Behaviour Support is effective when implemented correctly: a response to “Restrictive practice – A pathway to elimination” (Spivakovsky, Steele, & Wadiwel, 2023). Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 11 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/23297018.2024.2391804
Carberry, Trent, Hutchison, Sarah, Wardale, Simon, Demir, Rebeka and Vassos, Maria (2024). Evaluating the effectiveness of the Complex Behaviour Forum—A multisystem approach to supporting people with complex challenging behaviour. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 37 (4) e13261. doi: 10.1111/jar.13261
Vassos, Maria, Faragher, Rhonda, Nankervis, Karen, Breedt, Radostina, Boyle, Fran, Smith, Simon and Kelly, Jo (2023). The ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics and disability: findings from a scoping review and their human rights implications. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8 (1), 151-166. doi: 10.1007/s41252-023-00362-1
Yanes, Tatiane, Nathan, Vaishnavi, Wallingford, Courtney, Faragher, Rhonda, Nankervis, Karen, Jacobs, Chris, Vassos, Maria, Boyle, Fran, Carroll, Annemaree, Smith, Simon and McInerney‐Leo, Aideen (2023). Australasian genetic counselors' attitudes toward disability and prenatal testing: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 33 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1788
Vassos, M., Carberry, T., Davis, F., Wardale, S. and Nankervis, K. (2023). Can the Behaviour Intervention Plan Quality Evaluation, Version 2, be simplified for use by stakeholders with limited experience of positive behaviour support?. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67 (5), 488-497. doi: 10.1111/jir.13020
Vassos, Maria, Nankervis, Karen, Gavidia-Payne, Susana and Chan, Jeffrey (2019). Using Common Determinants of Out-of-Home Care to Profile Parents of Children and Adolescents with a Disability: an Exploratory Study. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 3 (3), 267-280. doi: 10.1007/s41252-019-00108-y
Vassos, Maria, Nankervis, Karen and Chan, Jeffrey (2019). Clinical governance climate within disability service organizations from the perspective of allied health professionals: clinical governance climate. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16 (1), 67-77. doi: 10.1111/jppi.12281
Young, J T, Davis, F J, Wardale, S, Vassos, M, van Dooren, K, Nankervis, K and Lennox, N G (2018). Severity of cognitive disability and mental health court determinations about fitness to stand trial. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62 (2), 126-139. doi: 10.1111/jir.12468
Vassos, Maria, Nankervis, Karen, Skerry, Trevor and Lante, Kerrie (2017). Can the job demand-control-(support) model predict disability support worker burnout and work engagement?. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 44 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2017.1310818
McGowan, S., McNally, K. and Vassos, M. (2017). The implementation of multi-component positive behavioural interventions: Preliminary evidence of a negative relationship with challenging behaviour. International Journal of Positive Behaviour Support, 7 (2), 3-12.
Wardale, Simon, Davis, Fiona, Vassos, Maria and Nankervis, Karen (2016). The outcome of a statewide audit of the quality of positive behaviour support plans. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 43 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2016.1254736
Vassos, Maria V. and Carroll, Michael F. (2016). Assessing attitudes toward evidence-based practices of workers supporting people with disabilities: a validation of the evidence-based practice attitudes scale. AJIDD-American Journal On Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 121 (4), 364-378. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-121.4.364
Dodevska, G. A. and Vassos, M. V. (2013). What qualities are valued in residential direct care workers from the perspective of people with an intellectual disability and managers of accommodation services?. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 57 (7), 601-615. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01565.x
Vassos, Maria, Nankervis, Karen, Skerry, Trevor and Lante, Kerrie (2013). Work engagement and job burnout within the disability support worker population. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34 (11), 3884-3895. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.08.005
Vassos, Maria V. and Nankervis, Karen L. (2012). Investigating the importance of various individual, interpersonal, organisational and demographic variables when predicting job burnout in disability support workers. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33 (6), 1780-1791. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.04.016
Townsend-White, C., Pham, A. N.T. and Vassos, M. V. (2012). A systematic review of quality of life measures for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56 (3), 270-284. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01427.x
Nankervis, Karen L., Rosewarne, Andrea C. and Vassos, Maria V. (2011). Respite and parental relinquishment of care: A comprehensive review of the available literature. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8 (3), 150-162. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2011.00305.x
Lante, Kerrie A., Walkley, Jeff W., Gamble, Merrilyn and Vassos, Maria V. (2011). An initial evaluation of a long-term, sustainable, integrated community-based physical activity program for adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 36 (3), 197-206. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2011.593163
Nankervis, K., Rosewarne, A. and Vassos, M. (2011). Why do families relinquish care? An investigation of the factors that lead to relinquishment into out-of-home respite care. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55 (4), 422-433. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01389.x
Conference Papers
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K., Faragher, R., Breedt, R. and Kelly, J. (2024). Exploring the ethical, legal and social implications of genomic technologies and disability - findings from a large-scale survey. Re‐imagining Connections, The 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL United States, 5-8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Nankervis, K., Vassos, M. and Faragher, R. (2024). Navigating the ethical, legal and social issues of genomics and disability: an inclusive framework. Re‐imagining Connections, The 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL United States, 5-8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Nankervis, K., Vassos, M., Carberry, T. and King, M. (2024). Developing the format and assessment criteria for an online, AI-based, positive behaviour support plan quality feedback tool. Re‐imagining Connections, The 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL, United States, 5-8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Mcvilly, K., Kirley, M., Oliveira, E. A., Vassos, M. and Nankervis, K. (2024). The establishment and piloting of an AI driven online professional development and feedback program. Re‐imagining Connections, The 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL USA, 5-8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Vassos, M. and Nankervis, K. (2024). The Behaviour Support Plan Quality Assessment (BSPQA) - a new tool to measure the quality of a positive behaviour support plan. Re‐imagining Connections, The 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL USA, 5-8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Faragher, R., Nankervis, K., Vassos, M., Boyle, F., Smith, S. and Kelly, J. (2024). Eliciting stakeholder views on ethical, legal and social issues of genomics in the context of disability: a modified Delphi study. 17th IASSIDD World Congress, Chicago, IL United States, 5 - 8 August 2024. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/jir.13166
Nankervis, Karen and Vassos, Maria (2023). Why should I care about evidence? Direct support work and evidence-based practice. DSW Conference 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-14 June 2023.
Vassos, Maria and Nankervis, Karen (2022). How can we help you? Exploring ways to support workplace wellbeing from a staff perspective. DSW Conference 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-15 June 2022.
Nankervis, Karen and Vassos, Maria (2022). How can I tell if a behaviour support plan is good? A discussion of plan quality and the best ways to identify a good plan.. DSW Conference 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-15 June 2022.
Vassos, M., Wardale, S. and Cornish, G. (2018). Occupational, health, and safety cost savings as a result of implementing positive behaviour support. Fifth International IASSIDD Europe Congress , Athens, Greece, 17–20 July 2018 . Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley.
Vassos, M. and Nankervis, K. (2018). The early response tool: development and initial psychometric evaluation. 5th International IASSIDD Europe Congress, Athens, Greece, 17-20 July 2018. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/jar.12481
Steel, L., Brown, R., Nankervis, K. and Vassos, M. (2016). The development of the Early Response Tool: A brief history. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Steel, L., Brown, R., Nankervis, K. and Vassos, M. (2016). Findings from the pilot implementation of the Early Response Tool. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Davis, F., Wardale, S., Vassos, M. and Nankervis, K. (2016). The development of an 'easy to use' version of an evaluation tool to determine the quality of positive behaviour support plans. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K., Skerry, T. and Lante, K. (2016). Can the job demand-control-(support) model explain disability support worker burnout and work engagement?. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Young, J., Davis, F., Van Dooren, K., Wardale, S., Vassos, M., Nankervis, K. and Lennox, N. (2016). Does severity of intellectual and developmental disability predict Mental Health Court decisions about fitness to stand trial?. 2016 IASSIDD World Congress, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 15-19 August 2016. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell.
Nankervis, K., Vassos, M. and Chan, J. (2016). Clinical governance: a relevant clinical practice framework to prevent the use of restrictive practices. IASSIDD 15th World Congress, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 15-19 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jir.12305
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K., Gavidia-Payne, S. and Chan, J. (2016). Profiling the psychosocial experiences of parents of children with disabilities on factors related to out-of-home care. IASSIDD 15th World Congress, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 15-19 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K. and Chan, J. (2016). How do Australian disability support organisations describe the disability support worker position?. IASSIDD 15th World Congress, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 15-19 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jir.12305
Nankervis, Karen, Vassos, Maria, Rosewarne, Andrea and Bayne, Barbara (2013). Investigating relinquishment of care of a family member with a disability from the perspective of the family. 3rd IASSIDD Asia-Pacifc Conference, Tokyo, Japan, 22 - 24 August 1013. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.. doi: 10.1111/jppi.12029
Davis, Fiona J., Vassos, Maria and Wardale, Simon (2013). Inter-rater reliability process and the Behaviour Support Plan Quality Evaluation scoring guide version II (BSPQEII). 3rd IASSIDD Asia-Pacifc Conference, Tokyo, Japan, 22 - 24 August 1013. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.. doi: 10.1111/jppi.12029
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K., Skerry, T. and Lante, K. (2012). Work engagement in disability support workers: Preliminary findings from a large scale evaluation from Australia. 2012 IASSIDWorld Congress, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 9-14 July 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01583_4.x
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K. and Rosewarne, A. (2012). Investigating relinquishment of care from the perspective of the family - Preliminary findings. 2012 IASSIDWorld Congress, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 9-14 July 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01583_4.x
Nankervis, K. L. and Vassos, M. V. (2011). Exploring the views of a sample of Australian disability support workers with regards to sources of work stress and satisfaction, and issues and trends affecting their practice. 46th Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference, Glenelg, SA, Australia, 9-11 November 2011.
Pham, A.,, Meyer, K., Wooderson, J., Townsend, C. and Vassos, M. V. (2011). Application of quality of life instruments in routine service evaluation for individuals with severe to profound intellectual disability. 46th Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference, Glenelg, SA, Australia, November 9-11 2011.
Townsend, C., Pham, A. and Vassos, M. V. (2011). Quality of life measurement for people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of available instruments. 46th Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference, Glenelg, SA, Australia, 9-11 November 2011.
Vassos, M. V. and Nankervis, K. L. (2011). Predictors of job burnout amongst a sample of Australian disability support workers. 46th Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference, Glenelg, SA, Australia, 9-11 November 2011. Adelaide, South Australia: ASID.
Nankervis, K. L. and Vassos, M. V. (2011). Job stressors, sources of satisfaction and levels of burnout experienced by an Australian sample of disability support workers. Joint Congress of the European Association for Mental Health in Intellectual Disability and IASSID Challenging Behaviour and Mental Health SIRG, Manchester, United Kingdom, 1-3 September 2011.
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K and Rosewarne, A. (2010). Does age and level of support needs influence the relinquishment of family members with a disability. Third International Conference of IASSID-Europe, Rome, Italy, 20-22 October 2010. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2010.00586.x
Nankervis, K., Rosewarne, A. and Vassos, M. (2010). Why do families relinquish care of their family member with a disability?. Third International Conference of IASSID-Europe, Rome, Italy, 20-22 October 2009. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC.
Nankervis, K., Rosewarne, A. and Vassos, M. (2010). The role that age and support needs play in a family's decision to relinquish care. ASSID 2010: 45th Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2010.
Nankervis, Karen, Rosewarne, Andrea and Vassos, Maria (2010). An investigation into the causal factors of and the potential risk for relinquishment. 45th Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability Conference, Brisbane Australia, 29 September-1 October 2010.
Rosewarne, Andrea, Payne, Michelle, Nankervis, Karen and Vassos, Maria (2009). An investigation into the causes of relinquishment into respite care. DSW09: 9th Annual ASSID Conference for Disability Support Workers, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 18-19 November 2009. Rosanna, VIC, Australia: Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID).
Thesis
Vassos, Maria Vicki (2017). Developing a greater understanding of parental relinquishment of care in the disability sector. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.946
Research Reports
Nankervis, Karen and Vassos, Maria (2023). Evidence matters: developing quality behaviour support plans. Penrith, NSW Australia: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Vassos, Maria V., Nankervis, Karen L. and Chan, Jeffrey (2019). Defining the work of a disability support worker in Australia: A review of the work role. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.17156.35206
Vassos, M. (2019). Social attitudes towards intellectual disability. Cannon Hill, Qld, Australia: Endeavour Foundation.
Vassos, M. (2017). Behaviour support plan quality within Endeavour Foundation. Cannon Hill, Qld, Australia: Endeavour Foundation.
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K. and Chan, J. (2015). Exploring the concepts of clinical governance and evidence-based practice within the disability service sector. Report of key findings for Yooralla. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Yooralla.
Vassos, M., Nankervis, K., Gavidia-Payne, S. and Chan, J. (2015). Profiling the experiences of parents of children and adolescents with disabilities on psychosocial factors related to out-of-home care. Report of key findings for Yooralla. Melbourne, Vic, Australia: Yooralla.
Department Technical Reports
Vassos, M. (2018). A psychometric evaluation of the Early Response Tool. Final report. Centre of Excellence for Clinical Innovation and Behaviour Support, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Queensland Government.
Nankervis, K., Rosewarne, C. and Vassos, M. (2009). Review of the causal factors resulting in unavailable beds: A review of the literature. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, New South Wales Government.
Nankervis, K., Rosewarne, A. and Vassos, M. (2009). Review of the causal factors resulting in unavailable respite beds: Final report. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, New South Wales Government.
Nankervis, K., Reece, J., Vassos, M. and Abdilla, G. (2008). Literature review of disability support needs assessment and classification instruments: Final report. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, New South Wales Government.