Dr. Melanie Deek completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) at Flinders University, Australia. Her doctoral research examined body image and eating behavior in young women across Western and Middle Eastern cultures. Her ongoing research explores cross-cultural perspectives on body image, eating behaviors, and the influence of family dynamics on young women’s health. She has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals and is particularly interested in how sociocultural contexts shape health behaviors. Alongside her research, Dr. Deek has taught psychology with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, extending these skills to the community and workplace. She is also a practicing clinical psychologist and has worked in both public and private practice, supporting children, adolescents, and their families with a wide range of psychological concerns.

Research Interests

Dr. Deek’s research focuses on eating behavior and body image, with particular emphasis on sociocultural and cross-cultural influences. Her work examines how cultural values and family dynamics shape women’s health behaviors, with the aim of informing culturally sensitive interventions that promote positive body image, eating behaviors, and wellbeing across diverse populations.

SDGs Research Mapping

Dr. Melanie Deek conducts research relevant to the following SDGs:

Selected Publications

• Deek, M. R., Kemps, E., & Prichard, I. (2025). The role of female family members in relation to body image and eating behavior: A cross-national comparison between Western and Middle-Eastern cultures. Body Image, 53, 101882.
• Deek, M. R., Kemps, E., & Prichard, I. (2024). My mother, sisters, and I: Investigating the role of female family members in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among young Middle-Eastern women. Body Image, 48, 101682.
• Deek, M. R., Prichard, I., & Kemps, E. (2023). The mother-daughter-sister triad: The role of female family members in predicting body image and eating behavior in young women. Body Image, 46, 336–346.
• Deek, M. R., Kemps, E., Prichard, I., & Tiggemann, M. (2022). The effect of a healthy food cue on choices from an online fast-food menu. Eating Behaviors, 45, 101632.

Academic Degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), 2025, Flinders University, Australia
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honors), 2020, Flinders University, Australia