Shaelyn Strachan, PhD

Biography

Dr. Shaelyn Strachan is interested in understanding why people struggle to maintain healthy behaviours. Combining her own experiences with physical activity and her background in psychology, Strachan uses quantitative methods and social psychological theories to find answers to how we can help people stick with their healthy lifestyle choices.

Education

  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Saskatchewan (2005-2007)
  • PhD, Kinesiology, University of Waterloo (2001-2005)
  • M. Arts, Health Psychology, York University (1999-2001)
  • B.A. Arts, (Honours) Psychology, University of Winnipeg (1994-1999)

Research summary

The primary objective of Dr. Shaelyn Strachan's research is to promote health through adherence to physical activity. She investigates self-related variables and how these variables influence self-regulation of health behaviour. 

In addressing these aspects of health behaviour, Strachan primarily employ social psychological theories, as well as constructs that pertain to the self. She employs quantitative methods but also occasionally use qualitative methods and conduct systematic and scoping reviews.

Recent publications

Rhodes, R.E., Rebar, A.L., & Strachan, S. (accepted). Physical activity identity as an axis of dual process motivation and self-regulation processes: current evidence and future research directions. Psychology of Sport and Exercise: 25th anniversary edition.

Strachan, S.M., Kullman, S., Dobrowolskyi, M., & Vega, V, Yarema, A., & Patson, C (2025). Explaining the self-regulatory role of affect in identity theory: The role of self-compassion. British Journal of Health Psychology, 30,(1).

Rhodes, R. E., Wierts, C. M., Kullman, S., Magel, E., & Strachan, S. (2024). Intervention effects on physical activity identity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 1–22.

Kullman, S., Simpson, K., Semenchuk, B.N., Taylor, D., & Strachan, S.M. (2024). Self-compassion and physical activity: A scoping review. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 13(3), 254-271.

Kullman, S.M., Semenchuk, B.N., & Strachan, S.M. “It’s a core part of who I am”: A qualitative analysis of exercise group and exerciser role identities in the context of exercise group disbandment. (2023) Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology.