Jennifer Brunet

Dr. Jennifer Brunet is a full professor at the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. She leads different research projects focused on understanding the psychosocial influences on, and consequences of, physical activity participation. With regards to the study of influences, she is working to identify and understand psychosocial factors that may influence people’s physical activity motivation and behaviour, in order to better inform interventions to address the health burden related to physical inactivity. As for the consequences of physical activity, she is working to understand its psychosocial benefits.

• Exercise and health psychology
• Processes underlying the adoption and maintenance of physical activity
• Psychological and social outcomes of physical activity participation in various populations, with a focus on people with cancer across the lifespan
• Theories and principles of motivation
• Special populations
• Body image
• Mental health
• Psychometrics

Examples of current research projects include:

1. Examining the factors that predict adoption and maintenance of physical activity in various populations
2. Exploring the associations between physical activity and mental health in various populations
3. Testing the efficacy of physical activity in promoting body image and quality of life
4. Developing interventions to promote adoption and maintenance of physical activity.

• Wurz A, & Brunet J. (2016). The effects of physical activity interventions on health and quality of life in adolescent cancer survivors: A systematic review. JMRI Cancer.
• Wing EK, Bélanger M, & Brunet J. (2016). Linking parental influences and youth participation in physical activity in- and out-of-school: the mediating role of self-efficacy and enjoyment. Am J Health Behav, 40, 31-37.
• Gunnell KE, Bélanger M, & Brunet J. (2015). A tale of two models: changes in psychological need satisfaction and physical activity over 3 years. Health Psychol, 34, 167-177.
• Brunet J, Gunnell KE, Gaudreau P, & Sabiston CM. (2015). An integrative analytical framework for understanding the effects of autonomous and controlled motivation. Pers Individ Dif, 84, 2-15.
• Gunnell KE, Brunet J, Wing EK, & Bélanger M. (2015). Measuring perceived barriers to physical activity in adolescents. Pediatr Exerc Sci, 27, 252-261.
• Wurz A, St-Aubin A, & Brunet J. (2015). Breast cancer survivors’ barriers and motives to participating in a group-based physical activity program offered in the community. Support Care Cancer, 23, 2407-2416.
• Pila E, Sabiston CM, Brunet J, Castonguay A, & O’Loughlin J. (2015). Do body-related shame and guilt mediate the association between weight status and self-esteem? J Health Psychol, 20, 659-669.
• Burke S, West M, Grocott, MPW, Brunet J, & Jack S. (2015). Exploring the experience of adhering to a presurgical exercise program for patients with advanced rectal cancer: a phenomenological study. Psychol Sport Exerc, 16, 88-95.
• Brunet J, Amireault S, Chaiton M, & Sabiston CM. (2014). Identification and prediction of physical activity trajectories in women treated for breast cancer. Ann Epidemiol, 24, 837-842.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, Barnett T, Mathieu M-E, O’Loughlin J, Tremblay A, & Lambert M. (2014). Perceived parental social support and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in children at risk of obesity. Res Quart Exer Sport, 85, 198-207.
• Sabiston CM, Brunet J, Vallance JK, & Meterissian S. (2014). Prospective examination of objectively-assessed physical activity and sedentary time after breast cancer treatment: sitting on the crest of the teachable moment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 23, 1324-1330.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, O’Loughlin E, Chaiton M, Low NCP, & O’Loughlin J. (2014). Symptoms of depression are longitudinally associated with sedentary behaviors among young men but not among young women. Prev Med, 60, 16-20.
• Brunet J, Love C, Ramphal R, & Sabiston CM. (2014). Stress and physical activity in young adults treated for cancer: the moderating role of social support. Support Care Cancer, 22, 689-695.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, & Gaudreau PA. (2014). A prospective investigation of the relationships between self-presentation processes and physical activity in women treated for breast cancer. Health Psychol, 33, 205-213.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, & Burke S. (2013). Surviving breast cancer: women’s experiences with their changed bodies. Body Image, 10, 344–351.
• Brunet J, Burke S, & Sabiston CM. (2013). The benefits of being self-determined in promoting physical activity and affective well-being among women recently treated for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 22, 2245-2252.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, Chaiton M, Low NCP, O’Loughlin E, Barnett TA, & O’Loughlin J. (2012). The association between past and current physical activity and depressive symptoms in young adults: a 10-year prospective study. Ann Epidemiol, 23, 25-30.
• Castonguay A, Brunet J, Ferguson L, & Sabiston CM. (2012). Weight-related actual and ideal perceptions, discrepancies, and shame, guilt, and pride: examining associations within the process model of self-conscious emotions. Body Image, 9, 488-494.
• Brunet J, Castonguay A, Ferguson L, Bessette N, & Sabiston CM. (2012). The association between body-related self-discrepancies and women’s physical activity: the mediating role of motivation. J Sport Exerc Psychol, 34, 102-123.
• Brunet J, & Sabiston CM. (2011). Self-presentation and physical activity in breast cancer survivors: the moderating effect of social cognitive constructs. J Sport Exerc Psychol, 33, 759-778.

Conferences and Presentations

• Brunet J, & Karvinen K. (2016). I’m afraid I might get cancer too: understanding the impact of family history of cancer on adults’ preventive health beliefs and behaviours. Paper presented as part of Dr. Zeev Rosberger’s symposium at the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology Conference, Halifax, NS.
• Brunet J, O'Loughlin J, & Sabiston CM. (2016). Physical activity and depressive symptoms trajectories: associations over time among breast cancer survivors. Paper presented at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 15th meeting, Cape Town, SA.
• Brunet J, Wing EK, Gaudet J, & Bélanger M. (2016). Longitudinal relationships between types of physical activity practiced by parents and their children. Paper presented at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 15th meeting, Cape Town, SA.
• Brunet J, Burke S, Grocott M, West M, & Jack S. (2015). Exercise training in patients with locally advanced stage rectal cancer: pain, fatigue, insomnia, and health perceptions outcomes. Paper presented at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology annual conference, Edmonton, AB.
• Brunet J, Gunnell KE, Teixeira P, Sabiston CM & Bélanger M. (2015). Unique effects of competence, autonomy and relatedness on relevant outcomes in the physical activity domain beyond the role of a composite score of psychological need satisfaction. Paper presented at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology annual conference, Edmonton, AB.
• Brunet J, Gunnell KE, Gaudreau P, & Sabiston CM. (2015). Gaining insight into the association between motivation and physical activity: an illustration of the of polynomial regression analysis. Paper presented at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 14th meeting, Edinburgh, SC.
• Brunet J, & Sabiston CM. (2014). Making the connection between physical self-discrepancies, self-conscious emotions and physical activity. Paper presented at the Canadian Psychological Associations’ 75th annual convention, Vancouver, BC.
• Brunet J, Amireault S, Chaiton M, & Sabiston CM. (2014). Trajectories of physical activity in women treated for breast cancer: a cohort study. Paper presented at the 5th International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health. Rio de Janeiro, BR.
• Brunet J, Sabiston CM, O’Loughlin E, Chaiton M, Low NCP, & O’Loughlin J. (2013). Symptoms of depression predict engagement in select leisure-time screen-based sedentary behaviours in young adults over a 4-year period. Paper presented at the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology annual conference, Kelowna, BC.
• Brunet J, Taran S, & Sabiston CM. (2013). Weight fluctuation during adulthood can be detrimental to breast cancer survivors' psychological well-being. Paper presented at the Society for Behavioral Medicine annual meeting. San Francisco, CA.