Kimberly Dienes

Swansea University | SWAN · Department of Psychology

Objectives Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long‐term debilitating illness characterised by profound and persistent fatigue ( JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association , 313 , 2015, 1101). The current study aims to explore the experiences of women with ME/CFS living with their partners during the COVID‐19...

Objective. Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF), a rare benign tumour with similar treatment options to cancer, can adversely impact people’s lives, yet little qualitative research addressing patients’ experiences of DF exists. The present study aimed to understand the day-to-day experiences of individuals with DF and their experiences of healthcare. Met...

This report summarises the findings of the public views during the Covid pandemic (PVCOVID) study, conducted between March 2020 and November 2022. PVCOVID included a longitudinal qualitative study of a cohort of members of the UK public, documenting in real-time their attitudes and experiences of the pandemic. The report documents people's experien...

Health communication has relevance for virtually every aspect of health and well-being, including disease prevention. This review explored the effectiveness of communications in enhancing the adoption of or adherence to behavioural interventions (non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)) related to COVID-19. The review takes the UK as a case study a...

Objective To explore UK public decisions around whether or not to get COVID-19 vaccines, and the facilitators and barriers behind participants’ decisions. Design This qualitative study consisted of six online focus groups conducted between 15th March and 22nd April 2021. Data were analysed using a framework approach. Setting Focus groups took pla...

Respiratory infections place a significant burden on individuals, healthcare systems and society. This short report discusses early findings from an ongoing longitudinal survey study as part of the wider Community Action on Respiratory Infections Cymru (CARI) study. An initial baseline survey was sent to a large sample of predominately older adults...

OBJECTIVE The study explored the impacts of an economic crisis – the UK’s ‘cost of living crisis’ – on mental and physical health from the perspectives of people themselves. It also explored how people coping with this crisis, and as a secondary objective, explored if, and if so how, the COVID-19 pandemic was shaping, their experiences or views of...

Objectives The study explored public attitudes and behaviours in relation to COVID-19 two years into the pandemic. Design This Qualitative study consisted of online focus groups carried out between 15th-30th June 2022. Data were analysed using a framework approachSetting Focus groups took place via online videoconferencingParticipants Participants...

This review summarises the extant literature investigating the relation between traffic-related air pollution levels in and around schools and executive functioning in primary-school-aged children. An electronic search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, and Education Literature Datasets databases (February 2020). Review articles were also...

Objectives: Qualitative study exploring public attitudes to COVID-19 18 months into the pandemic, specifically focused on adherence to infection-reducing behaviours and policy measures during a period of the emergence of a new variant (Omicron)Study design: Qualitative online focus group study Methods: Focus groups were conducted with a diverse sam...

Background Novel viral pandemics present significant challenges to global public health. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (e.g. social distancing) are an important means through which to control the transmission of such viruses. One of the key factors determining the effectiveness of such measures is the level of public adherence to them. Research...

OBJECTIVE: To explore public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines in the UK, focused on intentions and decisions around taking vaccines, views on 'vaccine passports', and experiences and perspectives on post-vaccination behaviour. DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of 6 online focus groups conducted between 15th March - 22nd April 2021. SETTING: Online...

OBJECTIVE: To explore public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines in the UK, focused on intentions and decisions around taking vaccines, views on ‘vaccine passports’, and experiences and perspectives on post-vaccination behaviour.DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of 6 online focus groups conducted between 15th March – 22nd April 2021. SETTING: Online...

Background During the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic, one of the key components of many countries’ strategies to reduce the spread of the virus is contact tracing. Objective To explore public attitudes to a COVID‐19 contact tracing app in the United Kingdom. Setting Online video‐conferencing. Participants 27 participants, UK residents aged 18 years and...

OBJECTIVE To explore the perceptions of non-adherence to COVID-19 policy measures by self and others in the UK, focusing on perceived reasons for non-adherence. DESIGN Qualitative study comprising 12 online focus groups conducted between 25th September and 13th November 2020. SETTING Online video-conferencing PARTICIPANTS 51 UK residents aged 18...

Objective This study explored UK public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and social isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design This qualitative study comprised five focus groups, carried out online during the early stages of the UK’s stay at home order (‘lockdown’), and analysed using a thematic approach. Setting Focus gro...

OBJECTIVE: To explore public attitudes to the proposed COVID-19 contact tracing app in the United Kingdom. DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of five focus groups carried out between 1st-4th May 2020 (39-42 days after the official start of the UK lockdown). SETTING: Online video-conferencing PARTICIPANTS: 22 participants, all UK residents aged 18...

OBJECTIVE: To explore public attitudes to the proposed COVID-19 contact tracing app in the United Kingdom.DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of five focus groups carried out between 1st-4th May, 2020 (39-42 days after the official start of the UK lockdown). SETTING: Online video-conferencingPARTICIPANTS: 22 participants, all UK residents aged 18...

OBJECTIVE: Explore the perceptions and experiences of the UK public of social distancing and social isolation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Qualitative study comprising five focus groups carried out online during the early stages of the UK's social distancing and isolation measures (5-12 days post lockdown). SETTING: Online vid...

Objectives The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and cortisol reactivity to an acute laboratory stressor both involve steep increases in cortisol secretion and are associated with preparing the body to deal with stressors ahead. Alterations in both have been linked to negative clinical and health outcomes. However, these two aspects of our biologic...

Chronic stress exposure has been shown to alter hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, which may mediate its effects on psychopathology and negative health outcomes. The nature of the chronic stress-HPA axis dysregulation is unclear and individuals likely vary in the extent to and manner in which indices of HPA axis regulation, such...

Childhood adversity (CA) is known to predict sensitization to proximal stressors. Researchers have suggested that disruptions in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning may be a biological mechanism. If so, CA may predict altered associations between proximal life stress and markers of cortisol secretion. We examined whether CA moderates as...

In this ecological study, we drew upon recently published melanoma prevalence data, and compared them with historical market data and published socio-economic data to test for an association between historical sunscreen sales (1997-1999) and recent melanoma incidences (2008 and 2012) in 24 countries in Northern Europe. We also explored associations...