bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spot-Coaching: A new approach to coaching for organisations operating in the VUCA environment
Authors: Wilson Wendy , Lawton-Smith Carmelina
Published: January 2023

Objectives:This study evaluated the outcomes of a new delivery format for coaching in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. It reviewed the impact on individuals of making external executive coaches available for individual coaching conversations to all employees at the TalkTalk Telecom Group. The research objective was to identify the potential contribution of this Spot-Coaching approach to individual development in a complex rapidly changing business environment.

Design:A case study methodology was used to gather data from multiple stakeholders over a three-month period by independent researchers.

Methods:The mixed method data collection included an online questionnaire, one-to-one interviews and a focus group.

Results:Findings reported by participants included increases in confidence and communication skills, the development of personal responsibility and enhanced resilience. Results indicate that the Spot-Coaching model can be a valuable development tool for a wide group beyond the executive level. It also suggests that the delivery format common to executive coaching based on fixed and regular sessions with a consistent coach, may not be necessary or appropriate for all contexts in order to show positive results.

Conclusions:Adapting coaching delivery to a more flexible and inclusive format that is in greater alignment with the culture operating in such VUCA contexts can deliver enhanced skills to organisations. In this study it appeared to encourage individuals to take greater personal responsibility for their own contribution and learning thus becoming more agile workers who can thrive in a constantly changing environment.
Coaching for health and lifestyle change: Theory and guidelines for interacting and reflecting with women about their challenges and aspirations
Authors: Stelter Reinhard , Andersen Vinnie
Published: January 2023

Coaching is increasingly applied throughout life and work domains as a relatively new way to support the learning and development of individuals and groups. In a research project group coaching was applied and explored with menopausal women (45 to 55 years of age). The goal of the research project was to support women in their attempts to remain physically active and to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The main objective of this article is to take a close look at the best way to achieve this – not by telling the women what to do or by pushing them towards specific goals, but by inviting them into a space of common reflection and joint action. In that sense, the interaction (not intervention) will take its point of departure in a broad, collaboratively inspired approach that is broader in focus than widespread interventions, which are often exclusively based on motivational interviewing. The goal of this article is to present a theoretical basis and practice guidelines for a series of group coaching dialogues and to serve as an inspiration for the further development of the reader’s own practice.
One-to-one coaching as a catalyst for personal development: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of coaching undergraduates at a UK university
Authors: Lancer Natalie , Eatough Virginia
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This paper examines the experience of nine undergraduates who had six coaching sessions over an academic year. It is part of a wider study which explores how young people experience and understand personal growth in the context of university life.

Design

A qualitative, longitudinal design was employed and semi-structured interviews were used. The transcribed interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), an experiential approach which focuses on how individuals make sense of a particular experience in a specific context.

Methods

A volunteer sample of nine students, across various Arts and Social Science subjects, was recruited in a Russell Group university and each student received six one-to-one professional coaching sessions in person and/or by Skype.

Findings

The students felt that the coaching sessions sped up the growth that would have happened eventually, and thus they could put into practice what they had learned much earlier than they could otherwise have done. Coaching benefitted the students in four broad ways: it gave them an increased sense of control over their work and other areas; it helped them achieve greater balance and focus; it increased their confidence; and enabled them to take new perspectives on various issues.

Conclusions

Coaching helped the undergraduates address common concerns such as time management, stress, social relationships and confidence. Universities could enhance the student experience if they helped students address these concerns, perhaps by training personal tutors to take a coaching approach or by giving students access to professional coaches as a widening or pre-emptive component of their psychological services provision.
A role for coaching to support leadership development? The experiences of female Arab leaders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Mattar Maya , van Nieuwerburgh Christian , Barr Margaret , Jacob Yannick
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to explore how eight female leaders from four Arab countries experienced their leadership journey, and to consider a potential role for coaching in that developmental journey.

Design and Method

A qualitative design was applied to explore the participants’ experiences. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data.

Results

Four themes emerged: (i) a continuous, exhausting struggle; (ii) fulfilment and pride in achievements; (iii) adoption of coping strategies; (iv) engagement in personal and professional development.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that coaching may be an appropriate intervention to increase the individual leadership potential of females in the Arab world.
Can an online coaching programme facilitate behavioural change in women working in STEM fields?
Authors: Jackson Sharon , Joanna Bourne Dorota
Published: January 2023

With the communication and many aspects of social life moving into the online domain, social interaction and communication between individuals in corporate environments are often being transferred to the virtual realms in search of solutions to save time and money. This paper explores the way in which online coaching can provide a fruitful platform to introduce online communication and staff development in constructive ways where social and relational aspects of the group are accommodated.

The two key areas of research presented in this paper are: (i) online coaching: exploring different modes of online coaching and the impact of combining individual and group coaching, and (ii) behavioural change: exploring different methods and approaches to develop self-confidence in young women.

The sample chosen for this study is a group of young women. The reason this sample was chosen is that the author’s coaching practice has been delivering a three-month in-person coaching programme, focused on developing young women from different organisations, aged between mid-20s to mid 30s, for the last six years. With organisations cutting costs and individuals being short of time, the author wanted to investigate if an online coaching programme could offer an alternative solution to in-person coaching. Our research, backed up by the author’s own experience, also responds to the call for evidence and confirms previous claims (Followell, 2014) that if coaching is made available to women in the early stages of a career, this can help develop their self-confidence, self-belief and leadership skills.

The research presented here is an exploratory, longitudinal study, using a sample size of 12 women, from two organisations, as well as one individual participant. The online coaching programme took place over six weeks, with quantitative and qualitative data gathered on two separate occasions, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The data collected from the first questionnaire and semi-structured interview informed the design of the online coaching programme. The data collected from the second questionnaire and semi-structured interview measured the participant’s expectation against experience of online coaching. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Drawing together current thinking, research objectives and findings, demonstrates how online coaching, using synchronous and asynchronous coaching, combined with individual and group coaching, creates a powerful range of methods to facilitate behavioural change. The study demonstrates that coaching young women, individually, as well as a group, helps to develop self-confidence. The programme also encouraged risk taking which led to new learning and behavioural change.
An exploration of playfulness in coaching
Authors: Wheeler Stephanie
Published: January 2023

Objective

In light of sparse direct empirical research on adult playfulness in coaching, the objective of this study was to explore playfulness and raise awareness of its presence, requirements, effects, barriers and risks in coaching.

Design

This exploratory, inductive qualitative study using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013) was based on primary data collection seeking sensitising concepts for exploring and understanding playfulness in coaching.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 14 coaches working predominantly with corporate clients to explore their reflections and experiences of playfulness in their work.

Results

A new working definition is proposed; strong themes were identified in the data of the key factors required for playfulness (relationship, authenticity and presence) and what it may bring to coaching (deepening of relationship, space and lightness). Barriers, risks and areas for future investigations were identified.

Conclusions

The data clearly indicates the emergence of playfulness in coaching; however, the study highlights a lack of specific reflection on playfulness. The study of playfulness in coaching has the potential to contribute to increasing our understanding of coaching effectiveness, therefore further investigation is merited.
Exploring educational psychologists’ views and experiences of coaching: A mixed methods study
Authors: Fanshawe Sophie
Published: January 2023

Coaching psychology is an emerging sub-discipline of coaching and represents a unique approach to practice in educational psychology. This research sought to explore educational psychologists’ (EPs) views and experiences of coaching in practice.

Phase 1 of the research obtained EPs’ views of coaching whilst Phase 2 explored the experiences of EPs who use it in practice. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected, through the use of online questionnaires in Phase 1 (N=119) and semi-structured individual interviews in Phase 2 (N=10). Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and frequency statistics, Chi-square analysis, independent t-tests and Tukey HSD tests, whilst the qualitative data was subject to a mixture of content and thematic analyses.

The findings of this research suggest that there is ambiguity in both the understanding and practice of coaching. However, 81 per cent of participants believe that it fits with the practice of educational psychology, whilst 93 per cent believe that it will have a future in educational psychology. A number of barriers to practice were identified, including a lack of professional confidence and the type of service in which EPs work. Consideration is given to the implications of this research for the future practice of EPs, and suggestions for future, evidence-based research are presented.
Coaching for cultural sensitivity: Content analysis applying Hofstede’s framework to a select set of the International Coach Federation’s (ICF) Core Competencies
Authors: Mosteo Leticia P. , Maltbia Terrence E. , Marsick Victoria J.
Published: January 2023

Grounded in a selective integrated literature review, this study analyses select ICF core coaching competencies, critically reviewed by an established competency modeling architecture and Hofstede’s Five Cultural Dimensions Model. Qualitative content analysis methodology was used by three independent evaluators. The objective is to provide evidence as to the competencies effectiveness across different cultures. The aim is better understanding the specific interplay between modes of cultural programming and basic coaching competencies, to offer evidence-based awareness for the inclusion of cultural competencies in coach education. Our analysis shows that directionality shifts depending on behavioural indicators associated with each competency – suggesting the application of cultural competence in coaching is both dynamic and complex. Our results show inter-rater reliability was highest where both competency definitions and cultural descriptions were conceptually clear and coherent. Specific cultural assumptions embedded in the ICF competency model are revealed. The paper offers evidence-based insights for the inclusion of cultural competence in coach education, training, and credentialing processes.
Outdoor coaching: The role of Attention Restoration Theory as a framework for explaining the experience and benefit of eco-psychology coaching
Authors: Burn Alexandra Sarah , Passmore Jonathan
Published: January 2023

There is little empirical research into the benefits and experiences of coaching specifically in the outdoors. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) identifies four facets that explain why nature enables the brain to restore directed attention, improve cognitive capabilities and relieve stress. It is proposed that ART is relevant to understanding the benefits of outdoor coaching because, according to ART, natural environments can help the brain to focus more efficiently, make decisions, think creatively and process information effectively by restoring directed attention and cognitive capacity - all of which are aspects of high quality coaching conversations. The aim of the research is to identify the benefits of outdoor coaching experienced by the participants and analyse them using Attention Restoration Theory as a framework to explain these benefits. Data regarding the felt experiences of nine participants who are currently having, or recently had, outdoor coaching is analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and discussed. The key findings show six identified key themes linking the participants’ felt experiences with the four facets of ART: Being side-by-side; movement and pace; the perceived benefits of outdoors vs indoors; thinking differently; openness and expanse; senses, emotions and feelings. We conclude that there are benefits to taking coaching conversations outside and that ART is a framework that can explain these benefits.
‘A space to try things out’: How career changers experience the best possible self intervention. An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Cliff Sophie , Gordon Jenny
Published: January 2023

Changes in working patterns mean that the youngest generations in the work force, millennials and generation Z, are facing more organisational and job changes than previous generations. Specifically, millennials, defined as the generation born between 1982 and 1999 (Twenge, Campbell, Hoffman & Lance, 2010), experience between two and three times as many job and organisational moves as previous generations (Lyons, Schweitzer & Ng, 2015), with 60 per cent of millennials reporting that they are open to a different job opportunity (Gallup, 2016). Research suggests that key resources such as optimism and self-efficacy are important elements of career adaptability (Haenggli & Hirschi, 2020). The field of positive psychology, which was first introduced to the academic community in 2000 (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), aims to better understand and foster valued subjective experiences, such as wellbeing, resilience and optimism. More recently, positive psychology has integrated with coaching psychology to create a new approach to coaching, positive psychology coaching, which can be defined as ‘evidence-based coaching practice informed by the theories and research of positive psychology for the enhancement of resilience, achievement and wellbeing’ (Green & Palmer, 2019, p.10). With job and career changes becoming increasingly likely for the millennial generation, there is an opportunity to look at how positive psychology coaching can be used to support the experience of individuals within this generation, helping them to enhance outcomes. There has been some research conducted within this field, with one study suggesting that positive psychology coaching can be beneficial in boosting career confidence in potential career changers (Archer & Yates, 2017), however, the existing research is limited, and doesn’t specifically focus on the millennial generation. One positive psychology intervention that could be particularly relevant for this population is the Best Possible Self (BPS) intervention (King, 2001). This intervention encourages individuals to imagine a best possible future self, before then writing about what they imagined. Previous research has shown that the BPS intervention is linked to increased positive affect, increased optimism and increased levels of self-concordant motivation (Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2006), and there is also evidence to suggest that mental stimulation can support psychological adjustment to change (Rivkin & Taylor, 1999). This study endeavours to contribute to the research by understanding how a positive psychology intervention (specifically, the BPS intervention (King, 2001)) is experienced by millennials who are considering a career change, before considering the implications of this for career coaching.
The impact of mindfulness meditation training and practice on post-graduate coaching students
Authors: Van Den Assem Ben , Dulewicz Victor , Passmore Jonathan
Published: January 2023

This study aims to examine the insights and development of post-graduate trainee-coaches engaged in mindfulness meditation training and how mindfulness meditation contributed to their development and performance.

Methods:

Data were gathered from 67 trainee-coaches who undertook a 10-week program. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) measured pre-and post-training results. Opinions of the training and a daily diary log system to track the time each spent in mindfulness meditation practice were used to capture the impact of the training and each trainee’s contribution to the development of their own mindfulness. Ten hypotheses were proposed.

Results:

An increase in mindfulness in trainee-coaches was found for the majority (85 per cent) after the practice sessions. A large majority (78 per cent) were positive about the training and practice and had found it beneficial. Those with higher levels of mindfulness, and those whose mindfulness had improved, tended to have more favourable opinions of mindfulness, showing positive effects of practice in contrast to those with lower mindfulness. These and a positive relationship between increases in mindfulness during training and the days available spent practising mindfulness are the important findings. Three hypotheses were supported. These indicated higher FFMQ scores in the students’ mindfulness meditation after the training; relationships between trainees’ FFMQ pre- and post-test scores and available days spent practicing; and opinion of their mindfulness meditation practice and the days available spent practicing. Two other hypotheses were partially supported: Relationships between FFMQ pre- and post-scores and trainees’ opinions about their mindfulness meditation practice; and between FFMQ post- and pre-scores and trainee academic achievement on the academic module in which mindfulness meditation was taught and practised. Academic performance was less directly related to mindfulness meditation training and practice and there were no significant differences between males and females on measures relating to the training and practice.

Discussion:

Findings on increases in mindfulness, opinions of mindfulness practice and academic performance are explained or generally supported by the literature. Practical applications, limitations and further research are also covered. The importance of training is presented in terms of the development of insights and the mindfulness skills of attention, presence, empathy, self-regulation and non-judgement, the impact of which are fundamental in mindfulness coaching.

Conclusion:

Mindfulness meditation training of trainee-coaches complements and aids the development of professional and personal skills. The training offers opportunities for greater interpersonal insights, and the use of mindfulness meditation in coaching practice.
An interview with Tony Husband
Authors: Kemp Steven
Published: January 2023

Tony Husband is a cartoonist whose work has featured in many newspapers, books and magazines as well as on TV and in theatre. His comic strip Yobs, which he draws for Private Eye, is one of the best-known in Britain. He has recently published two graphic novels documenting his experiences of his father’s dementia and his son’s struggles with addiction.

I was fortunate to bump into Tony and his wife at a favourite Lake District hotel in 2017, and we quickly struck up an interesting conversation in the hotel bar. Tony told me about his work and his recent books. I was taken by the sincerity of the stories they told about Tony’s father and his son, and how poignant and alive the stories were. I quickly realised that Tony was a famous cartoonist and his cartoon illustrations made these books accessible to a wide audience. Tony was kind enough to give a very well-received talk at an annual meeting I arrange (the Northern Neuropsychology Research Group). Whilst the books resonate with current patient and public involvement in health care, they are deeply personal and moving. These are stories of loss, hope and acceptance told with disarming and acceptable honesty. Professionals, patients and families will find meaning and solace in Tony’s books.

I am delighted to interview Tony and learn more about how a world renowned cartoonist utilised his professional skills and personal experience to produce material that will help others.
The development of a Functional Neurological Symptoms service within a National Health Service setting
Authors: Russell Leo , Carrick Rachael , Turner Ann , Yates Phil
Published: January 2023

This paper describes the development ofa Functional Neurological Symptoms (FNS) service across five pha,ses of growth. We outline the original context in which the need arose to establish resources for functional presentations and describe the design and evolution ofa care-pathway to meet this need. We then reflect on the introduction of outcome measures to evaluate service efficacy and report on early indications from our initial small cohort of outcome data. The opportunities and challenges of developing an FNS service are discussed and we highlight future directions and possible research questions.
An audit of a specialist neuropsychology service for people diagnosed with motor neuron disease
Authors: Walker Iona , Meldrum Steven , Evans jon
Published: January 2023

The current audit reviews the use of a pilot neuropsychological assessment protocol with 69 patients between June 2015 and June 2017 in a specialist Motor Neuron Disease service. The proportion of patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment, Fronto-TemporalDementia, anxiety and depression is reported in relation to existing research. Implications for diagnostic methods and suggestions for improvements to services are discussed.
Outpatient holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury: A pilot study
Authors: Julien Camille L. , Farrington-Douglas Claire , Murphy Patrick
Published: January 2023

The present study examined the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a novel, brief, comprehensive neuropsychological rehabilitation intervention for adults with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the chronic phase. Eight participants with TBI attended a 10-week outpatient programme combining weekly psychoeducation and project-based group interventions with individual neuropsychological rehabilitation. Following the pilot, participants showed clinically significant improvements in goal attainment, were rated by family members as improved in their psychosocial functioning and behavioural competency and reported better quality of life and overall health. Improvements were maintained at three-month follow-up, with the exception of overall health. Retention and attendance rates were high (100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively), as was satisfaction with the programme. The results suggest that brief interventions that combine context-sensitive experiential learning with psychoeducation and goal-focused strategy training are feasible and offer potential to improve functional goal attainment and QoL. Further larger, controlled studies are warranted.
Career Development Group quarterly update
Authors: Ingman Angie , Bushnell Ian
Published: January 2023

In the last issue I introduced the new Career Development Group (CDG) and gave a brief description of the four projects we are currently involved in. In this edition we would like to give you an update of the last three months.
Occupational Pathways
Authors: Reddy Michael
Published: January 2023

Michael Reddy is best known as the founder and former chairman of ICAS, the psychological services company, which he ran for 20 years and brought to international status with 17 offices overseas. The business has now been merged with AXA-PPP, the health services group, to form an integrated physical and mental health services provider. He is a Chartered Clinical and Occupational Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the RSA.
Ministry of Defence Occupational Psychology community gathering
Authors: Moon Liz , Pate Nishma
Published: January 2023

What do you get when you bring together six enthusiastic trainee occupational psychologists with a goal to promote, inspire and share professional practice across a community of psychologists? You get the annual Ministry of Defence (MOD) Occupational Psychology Conference 2011.
New Voices
Authors: Neale Laura , Goate Robert
Published: January 2023

Hello and welcome once again to this new section aiming to encourage our new/young members of the Division to engage with us more through contributing to our divisional publication.
The Amsterdam Effect: Report from EAWOP’s 2nd WorkLab, 2013
Authors: Duignan Kieran
Published: January 2023

Extracted with permission from an article first published in ‘EWOP in Practice’, the e-journal of the European Association of Work and Organisational Psychology (EAWOP), June 2014. The full article is available fromwww.eawop.org/latest-issue.
Snapshots of the PsyPAG 2012 Workshops: Tips, Advice and Benefits
Authors: Jackson Emma , Davies Emma , Neale Laura
Published: January 2023

At PsyPAG’s Annual Conference 2012 postgraduates were invited to submit workshop applications in any area of their choice. Following this call a number of excellent and helpful workshops were organised. The aim of this article is to disseminate the advice and tips given to the wider postgraduate community and discuss why you might want to organise your own workshop.
Psychology People in Profile: Professor Lynn Myers
Authors: Norris Emma
Published: January 2023

As part of this Special Issue, Editor Emma Norris interviewed Health sychologist Professor Lynn Myers at Brunel University. Lynn shares her experiences working in the field and gives advice to postgraduates seeking a career in Health Psychology research and practice.
Dr Laura Neale
Authors: Doran Kate
Published: January 2023

Our Chair, Dr Laura Neale, graduated from Northumbria University in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. She then went on to study for an MSc in Occupational Psychology at the same institution, which she completed in 2009. Last year she was awarded her doctorate by Northumbria University and is now Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sunderland. In March, Kate Doran caught up with Laura to interview her for this special The PsyPAG Quarterly alumni issue.
Breaking away from the undergraduate mentality: Transition from undergraduate to PhD
Authors: Wilson Claire
Published: January 2023

Securing a PhD position after an undergraduate with no taught postgraduate experience can be a daunting procedure. This article provides insight into how to deal with the transition from structured study to independent PhD research.
Creating a playful environment; evaluating young children’s perceptions of their daily classroom activities using the Activity Apperception Story Procedure
Authors: Westcott Mandy , Howard Justine
Published: January 2023

This article describes a classroom observation study funded by the General Teaching Council of Wales (GTCW). The observation was conducted in a reception class by the class teacher as part of the continuing professional development scheme. The article demonstrates the importance of the relationship between research, theory and practice by applying findings from academic research to the classroom context. It attempts to identify how a play-based curriculum can be successfully applied in early years settings. In particular it suggests that by listening to the views of children, a playful approach to learning can be injected into a variety of classroom situations. It highlights that the unique quality of play is playfulness, and that classrooms can promote a playful approach to a range of activities. The Activity Apperception Story Procedure (Howard 2002) was used to determine which classroom activities children felt were playful. Findings revealed that the class teacher had successfully created a playful environment where children made few distinctions between play and work activities. This is consistent with previous research that suggests children form perceptions of play and work based on environmental cues such as where or with whom, an activity takes place (Wing 1995; Howard 2002).
Drawing development: Historical perspectives, developmental stages, current approaches
Authors: Fawson Sue
Published: January 2023

This article seeks to examine young children’s drawing development through three main discussion areas. The first area describes historical perspectives, looking at a time-line of research into children’s drawing and the changing attitudes towards the child as artist. Secondly, stage theories of drawing and artistic development are described and discussed. Finally, consideration is given to debates around stage theory, moving into current philosophical trends. The article draws an evolutionary journey from these three perspectives, offering opportunities for further debate and study.
Understanding children’s free play at home, in school and at the After School Club: A preliminary investigation into play types, social grouping and perceived control
Authors: King Pete , Howard Justine
Published: January 2023

There is a growing adult perception that children have less time and control over their free play. Constraints such as increasing traffic, fear of safety and litigation and more children in childcare environments may reduce the amount of control children have on how, where and who they can play with in their free time. This paper describes small-scale exploratory investigating children’s perceived levels of control over their play and the nature of their play activity across three different contexts; the home, the school playground and the After School Club. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 12 children (six male and six female aged between 6 and 11 years) recorded their play activities, who they played with and how much control they had over their free play at home, in the school playground and in their After School Club. Preliminary results indicate that children’s control over their free play varies in relation to gender and the number of children or if an adult is also involved in the play activity. Overall, children had less control when playing in the school playground compared to playing at home and in the After School Club. In addition, there are differences in the frequency of play types most commonly noted.
Open Dialogue: The widespread abuse of statistics by researchers: What is the problem and what is the ethical way forward?
Authors: Gorard Stephen
Published: January 2023

The paper presents and illustrates two areas of widespread abuse of statistics in social science research. The first is the use of techniques based on random sampling but with cases that are not random and often not even samples. The second is that even where the use of such techniques meets the assumptions for use, researchers are almost universally reporting the results incorrectly. Significance tests and confidence intervals cannot answer the kinds of analytical questions most researchers want to answer. Once their reporting is corrected, the use of these techniques will almost certainly cease completely. There is nothing to replace them with but there is no pressing need to replace them anyway. As this paper illustrates, removing the erroneous elements in the analysis is usually sufficient improvement (to enable readers to judge claims more fairly). Without them it is hoped that analysts will focus rather more on the meaning and limitations of their numeric results.
Annual Conference 2015 paper Anxiety manipulation in school-based research
Authors: Buck Robert
Published: January 2023

This paper describes the issues surrounding the implementation of a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), designed to manipulate anxiety under controlled conditions with adolescents in a schoolbased context. Such a procedure has utility in test anxiety research and associated interventions; however the manipulation of anxiety in educational settings provides practical and ethical challenges. An experimental design was employed with performance evaluation threat as the independent variable. Participants (N=30) were randomly allocated to low or high performance evaluation threat conditions; state anxiety was measured immediately pre- and post-experimental procedure. The procedure was successfully implemented and demonstrated a significant effect on participants’ anxiety levels. This paper shows it is both practically and ethically feasible to conduct research involving anxiety manipulation in a school-based context. The protocols employed have utility in research into the underlying causes of, and interventions for, test anxiety.
Individual paper Preparing for a doctoral viva
Authors: Tribe Rachel , Tunariu Aneta D.
Published: January 2023

This paper discusses the issues which need consideration before, during and after a doctoral viva. It is concerned with ensuring that doctoral candidates are well positioned and prepared to maximise the opportunities the viva voce (oral examination of a doctoral thesis) offers them and to assist them in achieving a successful outcome. It provides a clear account of the viva process and discusses the processes and formalities associated with a viva. The viva voce examination can be an anxiety provoking experience and this paper suggests a number of ways of thinking about and working with this. It suggests strategies relating to presenting doctoral work in the viva as well as considering and answering questions in line with the relevant protocols and procedures. It also considers areas which have the potential to cause difficulties or lead to disappointment for candidates and offers a range of suggestions about how to prepare and present appropriately. The paper also offers some potential questions for the doctoral candidate to consider. Doctoral candidates report that it is hard to imagine in advance, but that the viva voce can be an informative, positive and enjoyable experience which provides an opportunity to discuss their work in detail with two experienced and interested senior academics who have studied the work thoroughly.
Preparing for and writing up your doctoral thesis
Authors: Tribe Rachel , Tunariu Aneta D.
Published: January 2023

This paper will outline how to prepare for, and write up, a good doctoral thesis. It will review strategies to help candidates through the whole process. It will start by looking at the purpose of a thesis, and the importance of developing good academic and personal support structures for candidates. It will go on to outline the pivotal role of planning and preparation of the structure and content, not only at the start, but by reviewing and amending the plan throughout the process. Some of the common psychological and practical dilemmas and experiences that are likely to unfold during the writing up process will be reviewed and a range of strategies for dealing with these will be provided, including some given by recent doctoral graduates. It will explain the importance of developing a relationship with the supervisory team that supports and facilitates the doctoral candidate’s progress and the importance of complying with departmental/university requirements. The authors also give suggestions about the organisation and structure of a thesis and map out core milestones and a time line which should makes successful completion of a doctorate more likely and less stressful.
Changing Chairs
Authors: Symes Wendy , Putwain Dave
Published: January 2023

The new Chair of the Psychology of Education Section, Dr Wendy Symes from the University of Birmingham interviews the outgoing Chair Professor Dave Putwain, Liverpool John Moores University.
No strings attached: Using 2D paper dolls and 3D toy puppets to promote young children’s positive responses towards immigrants
Authors: Jones Siân E. , Dalnoki Laura , Kaliff Alicia , Muir William , Uusitalo Kiia , Uytman Clare
Published: January 2023

Previous research indicates that imagining contact with someone who is an immigrant can reduce prejudice and promote positive friendship intentions. Much less is known about the optimal ways of effecting imagined contact. The reported research used an experimental design, where the status of a target-child toy puppet (immigrant versus refugee versus control) and the type of imagined contact (2D or 3D figures) was changed. Children aged 4–10 years, were tested for their responses towards immigrants and refugees, before and after a three-minute interactive play session with 2D or 3D toy puppet figures. Children were asked to show in the session how they would ‘have a really good time’ with the target-child toy puppet. Measures of children’s direct contact with immigrants were also taken. The results suggest that 3D figures have a similar positive impact as 2-D figures on friendship intentions following imagined play. It was in the 2D experimental conditions only that children’s friendship intentions were more positive with greater anxiety reduction.
The support process for high school students’ employment: Act-cognition interaction model
Authors: Takeshita Hiroshi , Ohtani Tetsuhiro
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In Japan, high school students who seek employment can apply to only one company at a time at the school’s recommendation, and cannot decline a job offer. This shortens the time available for helping students’ career selection process, resulting in problems related to effective support and students’ consent. Nonetheless, the actual support process and students’ cognitive processes have not been examined. The purpose of this study is to elucidate these processes.

Design

In this study, we adopted semi-structured interview data collection and the modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA) for qualitative analysis.

Method

Participants were 31 Japanese high school students who had decided where to work.

Procedure

The constant comparative method and determining theoretical saturation.

Result

The analysis generated three core categories, nine categories, five subcategories, and 32 concepts. ‘High school students’ place-of-employment, decision-making process, and others’ support process’ had a structure in which three processes coexisted: (i) changes in internal orientation of students; (ii) decision-making with help from parents; and (iii) job-readiness progress with help from teachers. The second and third processes had different effects on the first process.

Conclusion

This study presents a theory that predicts and explains a ‘career selection process integrated with others’ which involves multiple people and is not performed by a single person. Further, this study presents guidelines for practice which differ from conventional career education. It is not realistic to ask high school students for objectives such as self-understanding, life planning, and self-concept formation, or motivations such as interest-oriented, self-realization, and contribution to others. Teachers are required to do their best within the scope of what they and their students can do. The result diagram generated in this study is useful for this purpose.
A cross-sectional analysis of mental toughness and related constructs across key stages 2, 3 and 4
Authors: Gibson Dylan
Published: January 2023

Mental toughness is linked to attainment and progression in education, as well as wellbeing. Whether it changes across development has not been thoroughly studied. Mental toughness, and related constructs were measured in 293 participants aged between 7 and 16. Mental toughness, self-efficacy, wellbeing, positive motivation and positive engagement decreased across the age groups, but there was no significant effect of age on mental toughness when the other variables were controlled for. Mental toughness predicted wellbeing when measured alone, but not alongside the other constructs. This suggests that while interventions should be applied at a young age to prevent decreases in mental toughness from occurring, mental toughness may not be as unique as previous research has claimed.
Disruptive innovation and technology enhanced learning
Authors: Flavin Michael
Published: January 2023

This paper uses disruptive innovation theory as a lens through which to analyse technology enhanced learning in higher education. The paper also explores how higher education might be disrupted. Specific technologies are examined, including the Virtual Learning Environment and Wikipedia. Specific practices are analysed, including Bring Your Own Device. The article argues higher education has not been disrupted by technology to date, but that the conditions for disruption are increasingly propitious.Keywords:technology enhanced learning; disruptive innovation; virtual learning environment (VLE); bring your own device (BYOD); Wikipedia; higher education.
Examining the influence of a gratitude journal intervention on university students’ psychological wellbeing and engagement (a pilot study)
Authors: Benjamin Jake , Holliman Andrew
Published: January 2023

A pilot study was conducted to examine the effects of a two-week gratitude intervention on participants’ engagement, gratitude, and life satisfaction. Five university students were randomly assigned to either the experimental gratitude journal condition or the control happiness journal condition. We found significant improvements in gratitude across both groups, but not for engagement or life satisfaction. Moreover, while the experimental gratitude journal group showed greater gains in all outcomes relative to the control happiness journal group, the differences were not statistically significant. These preliminary results indicate some merit in reflective journal activity (especially where the focus is on gratitude) and welcome future attempts at replication with larger and more diverse samples.
The registration of NHS psychotherapy practice
Authors: Newnes Craig
Published: January 2023

This article suggests we pause for informed judgement in any pursuit of registration of psychotherapy.
What is it to be human? Finding meaning in a cultural context.
Authors: Gilbert Jane
Published: January 2023

How we experience emotions and find meaning in our lives is determined by the cultural context in which we live. Aid organisations have been slow to acknowledge and act upon this and as a result, psychosocial work is often poorly integrated into humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

However, this is slowly changing, and new IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Social Support (MHPSS) are a major milestone that provide both a challenge to all international agencies and a new opportunity to make addressing our common humanity a reality. Jane Gilbert looks at why we need to ‘treat the whole”.
The Impact of an Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis : A phenomenological exploration into the lived experience of Asperger Syndrome
Authors: Daves Maria
Published: January 2023

This phenomenological research study explores the lived experience of an Asperger syndrome (AS) diagnosis, particularly focusing on the impacts of diagnosis. It uses Colaizzi’s phenomenological methodology. The method of analysis described by Colaizzi (1978) provides a rich description of the essential structure of the phenomenon. The proposed sample included seven co-researchers, four women, three men, with lived experiences of an AS diagnosis. Six of the co-researchers had a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome and one co-researcher was a parent of a child with Asperger syndrome. A total of seven themes emerged from the data for those with an Asperger syndrome diagnosis. The parent experience yielded five themes. The themes are produced an exhaustive description, which revealed the lived experiences of an AS diagnosis.
Work/Life Balance – or Life/Life Balance?
Authors: Law Ho
Published: January 2023

This paper is based on my keynote address at the British Psychological Society’s Psychotherapy Section Annual Training Conference - Physician Heal Thyself: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Enabling Resilience in Helping Professions.. It aims to address the major challenge that we face in modern society especially in the UK, where under the current tough economic conditions people who work are experiencing a huge increase in their workload demanded by their employer. Within this context, the paper explores the myth of work/life balance; examines the challenges of balancing the paid work demand and other parts of life, their impact upon people’s health, family and social relationships; and then re-examines the concept of work/life balance from different cultural perspectives. It is hoped that the insight that we gain from such an exploration may inform us about the possible action that we can take and develop new solutions to achieve a sense of balance, improve our health, family and social relationships.