About
43
Publications
5,398
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132
Citations
Introduction
My research interests include digital mental health innovations for clinical intervention (DTx) and for clinical training; user-experience, co-design and implications for sustained acceptance/engagement (Self-Determination Theory; Technology Acceptance Model); social determinants of eHealth outcomes (e.g. digital literacy), digital ethics, mental healthcare accessibility, equitable healthcare.
Current institution
Additional affiliations
October 2022 - October 2024
Position
- Post-Doctoral Researcher
Description
- „Toward an integrative model of maladaptive Spontaneous Task-Unrelated Thoughts (STUT). Processual and functional approach.“ Project and Position Funded by the Polish National Science Centre nr 2019/35/D/HS6/02364 Sonata-16
August 2010 - January 2019
Bury College
Position
- Lecturer
Description
- Teaching AS-/A-Level Psychology; several modules BSc(Hons) Psychology at HE4; HE5 Research Methods modules for BSc(Hons) Criminology & Sociology; and Psychology of Education to HE6 BA(Hons) Top-Up Professional Development.
September 2021 - October 2022
Position
- Lecturer
Description
- Teaching and module leadership responsibilities ranging from Foundation, through undergraduate programmes, to MSc-Conversion across various modules including Cyberpsychology, Research Methods, Honours Projects, Masters Dissertation Projects, Contemporary Issues in Psychology, Cognitive and Biological Psychology, and Social and Critical Psychology. Additional responsibilities include technical expertise and lab-based work.
Education
January 2024 - January 2024
September 2017 - June 2018
September 2016 - September 2022
Field of study
- Clinical Cyberpsychology: Therapeutic Games & Adolescent Anxiety Disorders
Publications
Publications (43)
Background:
Extant evidence suggests that the proportion of adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders (ADs) has increased by up to 70% since the mid-1980s, with experience of anxiety at this stage associated with significant negative short- and long-term life outcomes. The existing therapeutic interventions (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy, CB...
Supported living has been shown to improve functioning and social inclusion in people with severe and persistent mental health problems, reduce hospitalisation and provide secure accommodation in a population where housing needs are often unmet. Conversely, living in supported accommodation has been depicted by some as depersonalising, marginalisin...
Purpose
Self-efficacy is the bridge between theoretical knowledge of counselling and practical application of effective techniques (Akinlolu and Chukwudi, 2019). Furthermore, risk-assessment and management are fundamental components of counselling training and self-efficacy in these areas is central to ethical practice. Gamification represents an o...
Background
Rumination is a transdiagnostic process present across several psychological disorders and involves repetitive negative thinking perceived to be difficult to control (Ehring & Watkins, 2008; Watkins & Roberts, 2020; Watkins, 2008). While empirical validation has been provided for numerous mechanisms underpinning rumination, this is not...
We propose a one-day transdisciplinary workshop in the broad area of HCI focused on co-designing immersive virtual reality (IVR) for remote and unsupervised interaction, intervention, training and research. The development and deployment of such systems is a significant and important challenge. While remote and unsupervised systems are more accessi...
There is an increasing prevalence and use of technology that extends into the support of mental health and wellbeing. How Digital Technologies can Support Positive Psychology focuses on how digital technologies can support mental health and wellbeing in the field of positive psychology.
Introducing a number of digital innovations – such as artific...
Purpose
Risk is a core element of counselling. The training of risk detection, assessment and management is therefore essential to ensuring effective and ethical practice. This paper aims to outline an applied game for training risk assessment skills.
Design/methodology/approach
The gamification of education and training aims to strengthen engagem...
Digital innovations for mental health care (DIMH) show significant promise as vehicles forthe delivery of psychological intervention across a range of mental health conditions, for prevention, as psychoeducational tools, and as a means of delivering health-care training to professionals. They may reach otherwise underrepresented populations in ther...
Purpose
Evidence suggests supported living can improve functioning and reduce need. However, its lack of a clear definition has presented significant challenges to establishing a definitive evaluation of its efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a defined model of supported living using in terms of reductions made to aspects of clin...
This poster presents an overview of development and research strategy for 'Wellbeing Town', a prototype educational applied game for use as a positive psychological intervention with the goal of improving wellbeing in children (ages 8-11 years).
BACKGROUND
Rumination is a transdiagnostic process present in several psychological disorders, involving repetitive negative thinking which individuals may perceive to be difficult to control. While the roles of numerous mechanisms underpinning rumination have been supported, experiential avoidance (EA) continues to lack empirical backing, despite...
Aim
This perspective piece will consider utilising the concepts of positive psychology, specifically in terms of relationships through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for therapeutic intervention. We will provide an overview of positive psychology, consider how this can be applied in the therapeutic setting and how AI, and more curr...
We are excited to introduce this new journal and felt the need to introduce both ourselves and the rationale behind the journal in this first edition. First of all, we felt the need for this journal based on the rapid advances in technology available to support people’s mental health and emotional well-being. As part of this journal, we felt it was...
As humanity pushes the boundaries of space exploration, human factors research becomes more important. They encompass a broad spectrum of psychological, physiological, and ergonomic factors that affect human performance, well-being, and safety in the unique and challenging space environment. This panel explores the multifaceted field of human facto...
Revived interest in lunar and planetary exploration is heralding a new era for human spaceflight, characterized by frequent strain on astronaut’s mental well-being, which stems from increased exposure to isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) conditions. Whilst Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) has been employed to facilitate self-help interventions t...
Air pollution is one of the most urgent, yet persistent, challenges for industrialized societies. Virtual reality-based interventions can become a powerful tool for studying and inducing pro-environmental change. In this paper, we describe the development and effects of a virtual air pollution experience in which a within-group design was combined...
In this paper, the authors present the rationale and protocol regarding a preliminary assessment of an early-prototype serious game, designed in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team of academics, game-developers and potential end- users. The present study aims to provide a preliminary evaluation of the game in terms of its ability to improve m...
Self-efficacy is a key factor in reducing the disparity between theoretical knowledge of counselling techniques and their practical application [Akinlolu and Chukwudi in Int. J. Sci. Res. Publ. (IJSRP) 9:8785, 2019]. Assessing and managing risk are critical aspects of counselling training, with self-efficacy a central component of ethical practice....
While validated treatment options exist, barriers to access or engagement to psychological therapies for anxious adolescents remain. Therapeutic games have emerged as a viable route to reducing the impact of these issues. The present study represents a preliminary assessment of a therapeutic game (utilizing elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy...
This paper collates and discusses key issues pertaining to therapeutic game development, deployment and monitoring. In this paper, we present four areas of challenge, concerning the effective evaluation of therapeutic games; data-security and management; ensuring effective game-design; and barriers to therapeutic game uptake and engagement. The imp...
The purpose of this editorial is to introduce this special issue of Mental Health and Social Inclusion and provide an overview of the papers included. All the papers within this special edition share an interest in developing technologies to support people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. This editorial introduces the reader to the area of...
- Full version available upon request -
This chapter covers the features of anxiety and panic, guidance for assessment, and pertinent theoretical models for understanding the conditions. Clinical intervention based on these models is discussed alongside a relevant case study. Key reading and research is also recommended.
Full-text is available by...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline a research protocol for an initial investigation into the efficacy of an early-development gamified intervention (“Wellbeing Town”) designed with potential end-users with the aim of improving adult wellbeing. Rationale for the proposed research is discussed along with a summary of the planned methodol...
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to collate and discuss a number of key issues regarding the development, deployment and monitoring of games designed for therapeutic purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collate a number of core areas for consideration and offer suggestions regarding the challenges facing the field of therapeutic gamin...
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate a novel mobile therapeutic videogame for adolescents with anxiety disorders (ADs), combining elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy and attention-bias modification, in terms of both its therapeutic efficacy over a controlled intervention and two-month follow-up, as well as the extent and implications of self-...
The long-term implications of COVID-19 for wellbeing are predicted to be both significant and enduring. Data from previous epidemics indicates long-term detrimental effects are more pronounced among particular demographics, including individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. The Mental Health Independent Support Team (MhIST) is a char...
Anxiety disorders (AD) are the most prevalent of the mental health conditions and are associated with significant and long-lasting burden of disease both for affected individuals and healthcare systems designed to support them. Despite this, barriers to traditional interventions mean less than half of adolescents experiencing ADs seek-treatment, wi...
The long-term implications of COVID-19 for wellbeing are predicted to be both significant and enduring. Data from previous epidemics indicates long-term detrimental effects are more pronounced among particular demographics, including individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. The Mental Health Independent Support Team (MhIST) is a char...
Anxiety disorders (AD) are the most prevalent of the mental health conditions and are associated with significant and long-lasting burden of disease both for affected individuals and healthcare systems designed to support them. Despite this, barriers to traditional interventions mean less than half of adolescents experiencing ADs seek-treatment, wi...
While the positive relationship between happiness and resilience amongst students is established, diversity in further education (FE) students warrants investigation into potential differences in the strength of this relationship. In respect of the multifaceted definition of the concept, two happiness measures were completed by respondents. This al...
