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Natasha Magson
Natasha Magson completed her Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Western Sydney, majoring in Psychology and graduating with Distinction in 2006. In 2007, she gained a first class Honours with her thesis examining the domain specificity of student motivation amongst secondary students. Natasha enjoys teaching for the School of Psychology and is currently a PhD candidate in the Centre for Positive Psychology and Education, specialising in educational psychology throughout the lifespan. The focus of her research project is examining the relationships between social capital and various social and economic outcomes for youth living in areas of entrenched disadvantage. Natasha is in the third year of her PhD and is supported by her husband and four children.
Qualifications
BSocSc (Psych), BArts (Hons) Psych
Awards
- University Dean’s Medal (UWS, 2006)
- University Medal (UWS, 2007)
- Recipient of the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts Award (SMSA) for Academic Excellence in Social Science (2008)
- University of Western Sydney Top-Up Award, 2008 – 2010
- Research Training Scheme, 2008 – 2010
Grants
UWS Partnership Grant: Bridging the Gap: Developing Valid and Reliable Measures of Social Capital in Socially Disadvantaged Communities
Thesis Title
Creating Socially Inclusive Communities: A Multi-Method Study Evaluating the Relations between Social Capital, Psychosocial Constructs, and Economic Outcomes in Disadvantaged Settings.
Supervisors
Professor Rhonda Craven, Dr Genevieve Nelson & Associate Professor Geoff Munns
Abstract
Research has shown that social and economic poverty are becoming more geographically concentrated, with social isolation and intergenerational disadvantage becoming entrenched in whole communities. Programs aimed at building social capital attempt to improve social support networks and inclusion within the community, and may have other benefits such as improving economic outcomes, family functioning, and individuals’ health and wellbeing. This project addresses the gap in the research for sound multidimensional assessment of social capital and its relationship with social, economic and health outcomes. Social capital and child social and emotional outcomes were studied with 1371 students in two disadvantaged communities in NSW. A new multidimensional measure of social capital was developed and tested with primary and high school students, and found to be psychometrically sound. Preliminary analyses revealed a number of significant associations between facets of social capital and a range of child socio-emotional outcomes. Higher levels of social capital were generally associated with better academic self-concept, increased sense of belongingness in school and community, and better general health, as well as reduced negative mental health, perceived discrimination and risky behaviours. Some outcomes were more strongly associated with family and friend levels of social capital, whilst others associated more with neighbours and community social capital, indicating that attempts to build social cohesion need to be targeted across the whole community. This study supports the notion that social capital can be measured empirically and is beneficial in alleviating many of the detrimental outcomes that are commonly associated with those living in areas of entrenched disadvantage.
Publications
Magson, N., Craven, R. G., Nelson, G. F. & Yeung, A. S. (2009) A new look at an old problem: Examining the relation between goals and achievement in a domain-specific context. Paper presented at the Fifth SELF International Biennial Conference, Enabling Human Potential: The Centrality of Self & Identity, January 13-15, 2009, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Magson, N. R., Craven, R. G., Nelson, G. F., & Yeung, A. S. (2009) Domain-specific school motivation. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, December 1-4, 2008. Brisbane, Australia.
Magson, N. R., Bodkin-Andrews, G. H., Craven, R. G., Nelson, G. F. & Yeung, A. S. (2008) Examining the Validity of Motivational Profiles across Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Students. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education conference, Brisbane, November, 2008.
Magson, N. R., Craven, R. G., Nelson, G. F., & Yeung, A. S. (2009) Domain-specific school motivation. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, December 1-4, 2008. Brisbane, Australia.
Magson, N. R., Craven, R. G., Nelson, G. F., & Yeung, A. S. (2009) Examining similarities and differences in motivational profiles across Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, December 1-4, 2008. Brisbane, Australia.
