Ivan Jeftic

Ivan Jeftic is a Part-Time Lecturer and Multi-Discipline Research Officer within the School of Human Sciences (Exercise & Sport Science) at The University of Western Australia. He completed his PhD in 2023, focusing on the Stride program developed by the PAHL team in conjunction with UWA's Thriving program.

Dr. Jeftic teaches several courses including SSEH1103: Physical Health and Fitness, SSEH2270: Psychology of Motivation, SSEH3388: Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity, and IMED2200: Mental Wellbeing for Today's World. His educational background includes a recently completed PhD in 2023.

Jeftic's research focuses on the intersection of mental health and physical activity, particularly how exercise interventions can support students experiencing mental health challenges. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and wellbeing. His primary research areas include:

• Mental health interventions for university students
• Exercise programs for individuals with mental illness
• Sport participation for children in out-of-home care
• Physical activity interventions for at-risk youth
• Mixed methods approaches to studying mental health outcomes

His research output demonstrates a strong focus on developing and evaluating exercise-based interventions for vulnerable populations. Recent work examines sport participation for children in out-of-home care and physical activity interventions for at-risk children and adolescents. His research combines quantitative and qualitative methods to provide comprehensive insights into how physical activity can improve mental health outcomes across different demographic groups.

Jeftic received the School of Human Sciences Presentation Award in 2022. His work has been cited in Scopus and has garnered attention across academic platforms, with several publications accumulating significant reader attention on Mendeley and social media.

With a background as a Peer Supporter at The Living Room, Jeftic brings practical experience to his academic work. He is particularly interested in improving student engagement both within the classroom and throughout the university experience. His research often involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including the PAHL team at UWA.

Jeftic's work with the Stride program represents a significant contribution to campus mental health initiatives, focusing on how structured exercise can support students experiencing mental distress. His research has implications for both university support services and broader community mental health approaches.