Rising rates of childhood obesity worldwide highlight the need to address issues of diet and exer... more Rising rates of childhood obesity worldwide highlight the need to address issues of diet and exercise in the early years. Little is known about children’s conceptualisations of factors associated with the maintenance of normal bodyweight. This study investigated children’s knowledge of food intake and exercise in relation to changes in weight. 72 children age 5-12 years (m= 36; f=34) participated in a vignette-based semi-structured interview around topics such as food composition, food intake and exercise. The data was analysed using content analysis. The findings indicate a developmental progression, with greater understanding of biological causal mechanisms from age 9 onwards. Under nines provided mainly mechanical explanations and endorsed a hereditary component to obesity. The conceptualization of foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ was seen across all ages. Information-based interventions to target childhood obesity need to be tailored to the developmental level of the child. The majority...
Discursive research focuses on the examination of how individuals negotiate versions of identitie... more Discursive research focuses on the examination of how individuals negotiate versions of identities, events, and social phenomena in social interaction. The chapter describes the key elements of this approach, in terms of paying close attention to how people ascribe, resist, and rework identities and what these accomplish. Applying the approach to the study of gendered identities and health, the chapter considers in detail the construction of one specific gendered identity, namely that of hegemonic masculinity. This identity recurs commonly in the literature on gender and health but has been overemphasized, often with little regard for the situatedness of gendered identity. Moreover, many studies have tended to equate considerations of health with those of ill health, often paying little attention to the contextual features of the identities in play. Adopting a discursive perspective provides a detailed understanding of how individuals negotiate gender in relation to health and ill health.
Estacio argues for critical health psychology to take action to address three issues raised (unin... more Estacio argues for critical health psychology to take action to address three issues raised (unintentionally) in the `Harry and Paul' sketch broadcast on British television. It is suggested that, although attempting humour, the sketch offensively reflected and reproduced patterns of social injustice that are far from funny. We argue here that micro-level analysis of the interactional elements of the sketch provides an understanding of how in everyday contexts Filipino workers are constructed in socially unjust terms and of how abuse can be justified. Such an understanding can allow critical health psychology to make a distinctive contribution to these topics.
THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE in residential care will leave home at a much earlier age and experi... more THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE in residential care will leave home at a much earlier age and experience a more abrupt transition to independent living than will their peers in the general population (Biehal et al., 1992; Garnet, 1992; Jones, 1995). Moving from a very structured ...
We report on two studies that examined how young people (aged 16 to 24 years) working in public-f... more We report on two studies that examined how young people (aged 16 to 24 years) working in public-facing jobs report experiences of workplace violence from dealing with the public. In Study 1, 65% (n=227) of respondents (N=349) reported experiencing violence in the preceding year, with verbal abuse being significantly higher for call centre workers and assaults higher among public sector workers. Psychological symptoms following violence were higher among participants aged 18 years or over than younger workers. Study 2 identified five themes relevant to participants’ (N=20) experiences, namely (1) violence is part of the job; (2) front line employees are targets; (3) power favours the customer; (4) any customer can be violent, and (5) need for personal experience. These findings demonstrate the need for employers to address all aspects of their practices in order to address risks in the workplace and to promote the psychological well-being of their employees.
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2009
... Goodall, Karen and Magill, Michelle and McVittie, Chris Birth choice following primary caesar... more ... Goodall, Karen and Magill, Michelle and McVittie, Chris Birth choice following primary caesarean section : mothers' perceptions of the influence of health professionals on decision-making. ... about risks and outcomes (McClain, 1985). McClain (ibid) suggested that women do ...
Background: Adjustment to a diagnosis of brain tumour poses unique challenges across physical, ps... more Background: Adjustment to a diagnosis of brain tumour poses unique challenges across physical, psychological, social and existential domains. The aim of the current research is to understand the role of social support and adult attachment style in mental adjustment to the illness. Furthermore, the study aims to explore how adults with a brain tumour diagnosis and their caregivers make sense of their experiences. Methods: Adults diagnosed with a primary brain tumour will be recruited via charitable organisations and asked to complete a self-report survey online. Questionnaires include Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised measuring attachment style; Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale; and Modified Medical Outcomes Study - Social Support Scale. Data will be analysed using regression analysis. It is expected that 150-200 participants will be recruited. As a follow-up study, 8-12 individuals diagnosed will participate in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Separately, intervi...
Although self-injury is a relatively common behaviour, the meanings of such behaviour for those w... more Although self-injury is a relatively common behaviour, the meanings of such behaviour for those who engage in it remain poorly understood. Here we report findings from an exploratory study of how contributors negotiate self-injury in the context of online discussion forums. Data come from forums identified through use of internet search engines. Contributors’ postings to discussion threads on these forums were analysed using discourse analysis. Within discussion threads, contributors construct self-injury as positive, either in itself or in certain forms, rather than negative or harmful behaviour. These constructions present challenges for health promotion initiatives. More research is needed into how descriptions of self-injury are bound up with negotiations of individual identities.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021
Caregivers of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability are more vulnerable to mental health d... more Caregivers of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability are more vulnerable to mental health difficulties. These difficulties are influenced by the child’s challenging behaviours, and the caregiver’s coping strategies; factors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. An online mixed methods survey was conducted on caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (n = 43) and children who are typically developing (n = 67). The results showed that presence of challenging behaviours related to neurodevelopmental disability, and caregiver coping strategies predicted caregiver psychological distress during lockdown. Themes that emerged included ‘confusing messages and guidance’, ‘loss of freedom’ and ‘unsupported and forgotten’. The results demonstrate the pressing need for the implementation of appropriate support to protect the mental health of caregivers across the UK.
Many of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms have been predicated on evidence, cited within the Da... more Many of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms have been predicated on evidence, cited within the Dame Carol Black report, that work is good for health. Yet the original research base upon which this assertion lies makes the distinction that it is good work which leads to positive health outcomes. This research study investigates one particular aspect in which employment may have a negative impact on health outcomes – the incidence of workplace abuse and violence. The prevalence of abusive customers is widely recognised and researched. Yet it remains unclear to what extent young workers (16-24 years old) are particularly vulnerable. This study examined young workers’ experiences of customer abuse and violence including: the frequency; nature and type; impacts; and employer responses to abusive or violent customer behaviour. The study used the internet to recruit participants and to collect data using a survey, a discussion forum and interviews. A total of 365 young people completed the...
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2018
Attachment insecurity has been associated with dysfunctional strategies for emotion regulation, l... more Attachment insecurity has been associated with dysfunctional strategies for emotion regulation, leading to inflexible or maladaptive responding. Currently, application of the attachment framework to anger is underspecified. This study presents a preliminary investigation of attachment-related differences in the dispositional regulation of anger and aggressive outcomes. Two hundred seventy participants completed measures of adult attachment (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), anger regulation processes (anger suppression, unregulated anger, and anger control), and aggressive outcomes (physical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility). While those high in attachment anxiety have been found to under-regulate other negative emotions, our results postulate that these individuals may implement a suppression strategy when faced with the experience of anger. Mediation models indicate that anger suppression is implicated in the relationship between attachment dimensions and h...
Rising rates of childhood obesity worldwide highlight the need to address issues of diet and exer... more Rising rates of childhood obesity worldwide highlight the need to address issues of diet and exercise in the early years. Little is known about children’s conceptualisations of factors associated with the maintenance of normal bodyweight. This study investigated children’s knowledge of food intake and exercise in relation to changes in weight. 72 children age 5-12 years (m= 36; f=34) participated in a vignette-based semi-structured interview around topics such as food composition, food intake and exercise. The data was analysed using content analysis. The findings indicate a developmental progression, with greater understanding of biological causal mechanisms from age 9 onwards. Under nines provided mainly mechanical explanations and endorsed a hereditary component to obesity. The conceptualization of foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ was seen across all ages. Information-based interventions to target childhood obesity need to be tailored to the developmental level of the child. The majority...
Discursive research focuses on the examination of how individuals negotiate versions of identitie... more Discursive research focuses on the examination of how individuals negotiate versions of identities, events, and social phenomena in social interaction. The chapter describes the key elements of this approach, in terms of paying close attention to how people ascribe, resist, and rework identities and what these accomplish. Applying the approach to the study of gendered identities and health, the chapter considers in detail the construction of one specific gendered identity, namely that of hegemonic masculinity. This identity recurs commonly in the literature on gender and health but has been overemphasized, often with little regard for the situatedness of gendered identity. Moreover, many studies have tended to equate considerations of health with those of ill health, often paying little attention to the contextual features of the identities in play. Adopting a discursive perspective provides a detailed understanding of how individuals negotiate gender in relation to health and ill health.
Estacio argues for critical health psychology to take action to address three issues raised (unin... more Estacio argues for critical health psychology to take action to address three issues raised (unintentionally) in the `Harry and Paul' sketch broadcast on British television. It is suggested that, although attempting humour, the sketch offensively reflected and reproduced patterns of social injustice that are far from funny. We argue here that micro-level analysis of the interactional elements of the sketch provides an understanding of how in everyday contexts Filipino workers are constructed in socially unjust terms and of how abuse can be justified. Such an understanding can allow critical health psychology to make a distinctive contribution to these topics.
THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE in residential care will leave home at a much earlier age and experi... more THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE in residential care will leave home at a much earlier age and experience a more abrupt transition to independent living than will their peers in the general population (Biehal et al., 1992; Garnet, 1992; Jones, 1995). Moving from a very structured ...
We report on two studies that examined how young people (aged 16 to 24 years) working in public-f... more We report on two studies that examined how young people (aged 16 to 24 years) working in public-facing jobs report experiences of workplace violence from dealing with the public. In Study 1, 65% (n=227) of respondents (N=349) reported experiencing violence in the preceding year, with verbal abuse being significantly higher for call centre workers and assaults higher among public sector workers. Psychological symptoms following violence were higher among participants aged 18 years or over than younger workers. Study 2 identified five themes relevant to participants’ (N=20) experiences, namely (1) violence is part of the job; (2) front line employees are targets; (3) power favours the customer; (4) any customer can be violent, and (5) need for personal experience. These findings demonstrate the need for employers to address all aspects of their practices in order to address risks in the workplace and to promote the psychological well-being of their employees.
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2009
... Goodall, Karen and Magill, Michelle and McVittie, Chris Birth choice following primary caesar... more ... Goodall, Karen and Magill, Michelle and McVittie, Chris Birth choice following primary caesarean section : mothers' perceptions of the influence of health professionals on decision-making. ... about risks and outcomes (McClain, 1985). McClain (ibid) suggested that women do ...
Background: Adjustment to a diagnosis of brain tumour poses unique challenges across physical, ps... more Background: Adjustment to a diagnosis of brain tumour poses unique challenges across physical, psychological, social and existential domains. The aim of the current research is to understand the role of social support and adult attachment style in mental adjustment to the illness. Furthermore, the study aims to explore how adults with a brain tumour diagnosis and their caregivers make sense of their experiences. Methods: Adults diagnosed with a primary brain tumour will be recruited via charitable organisations and asked to complete a self-report survey online. Questionnaires include Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised measuring attachment style; Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale; and Modified Medical Outcomes Study - Social Support Scale. Data will be analysed using regression analysis. It is expected that 150-200 participants will be recruited. As a follow-up study, 8-12 individuals diagnosed will participate in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Separately, intervi...
Although self-injury is a relatively common behaviour, the meanings of such behaviour for those w... more Although self-injury is a relatively common behaviour, the meanings of such behaviour for those who engage in it remain poorly understood. Here we report findings from an exploratory study of how contributors negotiate self-injury in the context of online discussion forums. Data come from forums identified through use of internet search engines. Contributors’ postings to discussion threads on these forums were analysed using discourse analysis. Within discussion threads, contributors construct self-injury as positive, either in itself or in certain forms, rather than negative or harmful behaviour. These constructions present challenges for health promotion initiatives. More research is needed into how descriptions of self-injury are bound up with negotiations of individual identities.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021
Caregivers of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability are more vulnerable to mental health d... more Caregivers of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability are more vulnerable to mental health difficulties. These difficulties are influenced by the child’s challenging behaviours, and the caregiver’s coping strategies; factors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. An online mixed methods survey was conducted on caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (n = 43) and children who are typically developing (n = 67). The results showed that presence of challenging behaviours related to neurodevelopmental disability, and caregiver coping strategies predicted caregiver psychological distress during lockdown. Themes that emerged included ‘confusing messages and guidance’, ‘loss of freedom’ and ‘unsupported and forgotten’. The results demonstrate the pressing need for the implementation of appropriate support to protect the mental health of caregivers across the UK.
Many of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms have been predicated on evidence, cited within the Da... more Many of the UK Government’s Welfare Reforms have been predicated on evidence, cited within the Dame Carol Black report, that work is good for health. Yet the original research base upon which this assertion lies makes the distinction that it is good work which leads to positive health outcomes. This research study investigates one particular aspect in which employment may have a negative impact on health outcomes – the incidence of workplace abuse and violence. The prevalence of abusive customers is widely recognised and researched. Yet it remains unclear to what extent young workers (16-24 years old) are particularly vulnerable. This study examined young workers’ experiences of customer abuse and violence including: the frequency; nature and type; impacts; and employer responses to abusive or violent customer behaviour. The study used the internet to recruit participants and to collect data using a survey, a discussion forum and interviews. A total of 365 young people completed the...
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2018
Attachment insecurity has been associated with dysfunctional strategies for emotion regulation, l... more Attachment insecurity has been associated with dysfunctional strategies for emotion regulation, leading to inflexible or maladaptive responding. Currently, application of the attachment framework to anger is underspecified. This study presents a preliminary investigation of attachment-related differences in the dispositional regulation of anger and aggressive outcomes. Two hundred seventy participants completed measures of adult attachment (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), anger regulation processes (anger suppression, unregulated anger, and anger control), and aggressive outcomes (physical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility). While those high in attachment anxiety have been found to under-regulate other negative emotions, our results postulate that these individuals may implement a suppression strategy when faced with the experience of anger. Mediation models indicate that anger suppression is implicated in the relationship between attachment dimensions and h...
Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 299-304.
"The relationship between adult attachment and schizotypal personality traits in a non-clinical s... more "The relationship between adult attachment and schizotypal personality traits in a non-clinical sample was explored. It was predicted that insecure attachment would show a positive association with schizotypy. A total of 161 British adults completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and the Experience in Close Relationships Scale. Canonical correlation analysis was used as a multivariate technique to explore the nature and directionality of the relationship between the two constructs. Attachment had a strong relationship with schizotypy, both at a bivariate and multivariate level, in the predicted direction. In conjunction with other predisposing factors, insecure attachment might contribute towards the development of schizotypy via specific interactional and cognitive styles, implicit within individuals’ internal working models. A study of the relationship between schizotypy and attachment can enhance understanding of the pathways and triggers associated with schizotypal development, and ultimately lead to better ways of diagnosing, preventing, and even treating schizotypal personality disorder."
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Papers by Karen Goodall