bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the relationship between anger and violent thoughts and fantasies: A pilot study
Authors: Patel Gita , Doyle Rebecca , Browne Kevin
Published: January 2023

The aim of this pilot study was to explore the prevalence and quality of violent thoughts and fantasies of a non-violent community sample. A secondary aim was to identify the extent to which violent thoughts and fantasies were related to anger.

Nineteen adults took part in the study which used a repeated measures design. Participants were asked to complete an anger assessment (STAXI-2; Spielberger, 1999) and to take part in two semi-structured interviews which enquired about the experience of violent thoughts and fantasies.

A thematic analysis (Braun & Clark, 2006) yielded a number of themes including ‘desire’ and ‘elaboration’. When paired with psychometric results a relationship between violent thoughts and fantasies and high experience/low control of anger was found. This study provides evidence that violent thoughts and fantasies are associated with anger control rather than anger expression. A model designed to expand on the analysis and explore in more detail the antecedents and progressive links between anger, violent thought and fantasies has been developed and is presented herein and may be of use to professionals working with violent fantasies in clinical and non-clinical settings.
Does adapted DBT have a place in forensic settings? The development of a DBT-informed emotion regulation group for female forensic personality disordered inpatients
Authors: Thompson Claire
Published: January 2023

This study explores the impact of a DBT-informed emotion regulation group upon female personality disordered inpatients detained within a forensic low secure psychiatric service. Emotion regulation is a core feature of borderline personality disorder, dialectical behaviour therapy having been developed on this premise.

Adapted sessions (20) were devised primarily from the DBT modules of emotion regulation and distress tolerance to meet the needs of both the inpatient setting and patient group. The group was run twice with eight patients in each group. Pre- and post-incident rates were used as an indication of potential treatment change in addition to measures of emotional control and altered states of capacity. Results indicated significant reduction in post-intervention rates of violence and self-harm, results from the psychometric data did not indicate such a degree of treatment change. Methodological limitations and implications for future practice are discussed.
Using Cognitive Analytic Therapy within a forensic setting: An overarching relational model
Authors: Marshall Jenny , Freshwater Kate , Potter Steve
Published: January 2023

This article details a strategy developed within the forensic mental health service in Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to develop an overarching relational framework based on the Cognitive Analytic Therapy model with the strategic aim of developing the psychological mindedness of the workforce.
Research Forum: Two New Journals Reviewed
Authors: Kent Gerry , Walker Jan
Published: January 2023

This section brings new and thought–provoking ideas and research to the attention of readers. We would be delighted to receive short commentaries on any paper or group of papers which might interest our readership. Reviews of particular issues, or of a new or existing journal, are also welcome. Commentaries, preferably on disk (WordPerfect or ASCII) or e-mail, and informal enquiries should be directed to: Dr Lucy Yardley, Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT (e-mail address:l.yardley@ucl.ac.uk).
Research Forum: Acknowledging Complexity in the Study of Social Support and Health
Authors: McNally Steve
Published: January 2023

This section brings new and thought–provoking ideas and research to the attention of readers. We would be delighted to receive short commentaries on any paper or group of papers which might interest our readership. Reviews of particular issues, or of a new or existing journal, are also welcome. Commentaries, preferably on disk (WordPerfect or ASCII) or e-mail, and informal enquiries should be directed to: Dr Lucy Yardley, Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT (e-mail address:l.yardley@ucl.ac.uk).
A mixed-methods approach to understanding women’s worries during early pregnancy
Authors: Jomeen Julie , Martin Colin R.
Published: January 2023

The association between anxiety and adverse pregnancy outcomes are well documented, but evidence remains scant regarding the causes of pregnant women’s anxieties. Evidence suggests that specific areas of pregnant women’s worries have a unique predictive value for psychological health and mood, independent of anxiety. Amongst those factors acknowledged to provide psychological support for women in pregnancy is the role of the partner/significant other. However, recent research has suggested that very few women in pregnancy worry about their relationship with their partner.

A mixed-methodological study was conducted to investigate the experience of women during early pregnancy in terms of the type and significance of concerns and worries experienced. One-hundred-and-twenty-nine women were classified into two groups, depressed (N=33) and non-depressed (N=96) on the basis of a standard screening instrument at 14 weeks gestation. The depressed group reported significantly more socio-medical, socio-economic and health worries as assessed by the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) compared to the non-depressed group. No significant difference between groups was observed using the CWS relationships sub-scale. A sub-set of 10 women from the study cohort were interviewed using a qualitative narrative methodology. The findings from the qualitative component of the study added significantly and contextually to the quantitative arm of the study. The quantitative observation that significant supportive relationships seem to be less important than previously suggested to the psychological health of women in early pregnancy was given qualitative thematic explanation by several factors, including the physical experience of pregnancy, the reality of pregnancy and the way it is managed and the woman’s personal engagement with the pregnancy. These findings suggest that the absence of perceived emotional relationship support from the usual significant other (father) may not be considered an indicator of psychological distress or psychopathology. Further research, which considers the context and interpretation of worry during pregnancy using mixed-methodology, is suggested in order to develop the evidence base in relation to pregnancy and postnatal maternal, paternal and neo-natal outcomes.
‘The Three Good Things’ – The effects of gratitude practice on wellbeing: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lai Siew Tim , O’Carroll Ronan E.
Published: January 2023

Background

There are mixed findings concerning the effectiveness of gratitude interventions. This study investigated a commonly used gratitude-based intervention (‘count–your–blessings’) in promoting physical and psychological wellbeing in a UK sample.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial to examine the efficacy of a three–week gratitude intervention in promoting psychological and physical health. 108 healthy participants (aged 18–36) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions (gratitude or no–assigned activity). Those in the gratitude condition kept daily gratitude journals for 21 days. Participants completed self–report measures related to gratefulness, affect, prosociality, physical and subjective wellbeing. These measures were collected at two time–points (pre– and post–intervention), three weeks apart. Two separate analyses were conducted for participants who completed the intervention (Completer analysis) and including those who dropped out (Intention–to–treat analysis [ITT]).

Findings

Completer analysis revealed that the gratitude condition resulted in heightened feelings of gratefulness. Those in the grateful condition showed greater increases in state gratitude and positive affect, relative to the control condition, who reported a reduction in wellbeing. Overall, the ITT analysis yielded essentially the same findings as the completer analysis.

Discussion

Counting one’s blessings can improve wellbeing and could be incorporated in existing psychotherapies. This brief and simple intervention warrants further investigation.
Evaluation of the Coaching Competence Self-Review online tool within an NHS leadership development programme
Authors: Law Ho , Ireland Sara , Hussain Zulfi
Published: January 2023

Objectives:The objectives of this case study were to: (1) develop a Universal Integrated Framework (UIF) of coaching; and (2) evaluate its effectiveness in terms of its impact upon the participants and the organisations.

Design:49 participants assessed themselves on coaching indicators using the online CCSR tool as part of a leadership development programme within the National Health Services (NHS) in UK. The tool consisted of four dimensions (Personal, Social, Cultural, and Professional) and 18 elements with 110 questions.

Methods:The tool was evaluated using linear regression and analyses of variance, supplemented with qualitative review as part of triangulation process.

Results:Statistical analyses indicated that the Coaching/mentoring competence was predicted by Personal competence. The competence increased with age/life experience. There were no differences in competence scores between male and female participants. Personal and Social and Social and Cross-Cultural competences were co-related. Black participants seemed to benefit from the cross-cultural dimension framework as they scored significantly higher than White participants. Asian participants scored somewhere in between the two categories.

Conclusions:The results supported the underpinning coaching philosophy that was advocated that in order for the framework to be universal (non-biased), it was important to include a cross-cultural dimension within the core coaching and mentoring competence. It was recommended that future research should aim to explore the validity of the individual elements of the CCSR using a larger sample size.
Flow theory – its application to coaching psychology
Authors: Wesson Karen , Boniwell Ilona
Published: January 2023

Purpose:Being ‘in flow’ or ‘in the zone’ enables individuals to focus on tasks more fully and to maximise performance. As this phenomenon results in pleasure being experienced whilst mastery is gained, it can be a natural aid to goal-oriented activities such as coaching. This paper explores the applications of flow theory to coaching psychology.

Method:Various conditions are thought to influence the acquisition and maintenance of psychological flow. These are reviewed and linked to the work of coaches and coaching psychologists.

Results:The literature and models reviewed indicate that flow theory has a number of applications to coaching psychology, and that it can provide a useful framework for coaching psychology practice.

Conclusions:This paper suggests how these factors may be captured by coaching methodology thereby: (i) helping the client and coach to find focus and fulfilment during sessions; and (ii) encouraging the client to remain ‘on task’ whilst engaging in goal actioning activities afterwards.
Key characteristics of the commercial Australian executive coach training industry
Authors: Grant Anthony M. , O’Hara Blythe
Published: January 2023

Objectives:To identify organisations who offer executive coach training and business coach training in Australia; assessment processes, cost and duration of courses; the delineation between coaching and counselling; marketing claims made; and the qualifications of the owners and trainers.

Design:A qualitative process of emergent thematic coding using information from the internet.

Methods:Broad categories and themes related to the aims of the study were documented, leading to the identification of a group of core categories and a process of comparison between organisations.

Results:More than half the 16 Australian executive coach-training organisations identified offered more than one type of coach training. Four offered a coach franchise. The most common accrediting bodies were the International Coach Federation or the Australian Government Vocational Training Framework. Costs of courses ranged from AUS$3245 to AUS$14,795. Marketing claims included having longevity, being the best school, setting the standard, or having global recognition. Some trainers had no qualifications at all, but the majority of trainers’ qualifications were directly relevant to the field of coaching. The majority of coaching organisations did not make a clear distinction between these two issues. Average longevity of these organisations was 6.75 years.

Conclusion:The Australian executive coach and business coach training industry continues to develop. We recommend that, in order to further professionalise executive coach training, all coach trainers should be properly qualified, issues related to identification of mental illness be incorporated into executive coach training, and organisations offering coach franchising provide clear and unambiguous information to prospective clients.
Towards a model of coaching transfer: Operationalising coaching success and the facilitators and barriers to transfer
Authors: Stewart Lorna J. , Palmer Stephen , Wilkin Helen , Kerrin Maire
Published: January 2023

Objectives:Executive coaching has become a respected learning and development strategy. Coaching outcomes and the conditions required for coachees to implement and sustain their development in the workplace have yet to be fully understood. These deficits impede coaching evaluation. The present study sought to operationalise a successful coaching outcome, and to propose and verify a model of coaching transfer.

Design:Two sub-studies were conducted. Study 1 used a descriptive qualitative approach to explore coachees’, coaches’ and organisational stakeholders’ perceptions of a successful coaching outcome and the facilitators and barriers to transfer. Study 2 surveyed coachees using a self-report questionnaire developed from the results of Study one to explore possible relationships between transfer and coachee motivation, work environment psychosocial factors and situational factors.

Methods:Study 1: 25 coachees, nine coaches and five organisational stakeholders each participated in an hour-long, semi-structured interview. Study 2: 110 participants completed the online coaching transfer questionnaire.

Results:Qualitative analyses revealed coachees, coaches and organisational stakeholders believed coaching outcomes comprised intra-personal development, personal and performance outcomes. Coaching transfer comprised two stages: application, and generalisation and maintenance. Correlational analyses of questionnaire data (N=110) suggested transfer depends on interactions between the nature of the coaching output, the stage of transfer, and the type of development sought via coaching.

Conclusions:Although exploratory, this study provided some understanding of the influence of the factors which impact on coaching transfer. The findings indicate there is value in coaching research examining the complex interplay of factors beyond the coachee-coach relationship.
Searching for the elusive model of coaching: Could the ‘Holy Grail’ be right in front of us?
Authors: Kemp Travis J.
Published: January 2023

Efforts to conceptualise and design facilitative models that support coaching practice have been prevalent in both the peer-reviewed and industry-based literature since the popularisation of coaching as a human development methodology. A myriad of models claim to provide robust and efficacious methodologies that produce effective and targeted change and growth for clients. Whilst some of these models have gained greater popular acceptance from practitioners than others, many make erroneous and unfounded claims within the industry literature of relative superiority over other proprietary models. In apparent contradiction to the popular discourse, the current paper suggests that all coaching psychology interventions occur within a broad androgogy (or in the case of minors, pedagogy) or specifically, within a generic experiential learning process. With this assumption established it is proposed that future exploration and research into coaching intervention efficacy may be more valuably focussed on understanding and examining the techniques, methods or strategies that are utilised within this generic experiential coaching process in an effort to build a unique evidence base for coaching psychology practice.
All-or-nothing thinking: Using thinking skills to re-appraise performance-interfering thinking
Authors: O’Broin Alanna
Published: January 2023

Using the all-or-nothing thinking error as an example, this paper addresses the learning and use by coachees of thinking skills to identify performance-interfering thoughts (PITS) and then re-appraise them into more helpful and goal-focused performance-enhancing thoughts (PETS). A brief practical example is provided.
Linking MBA learning and leadership coaching
Authors: Wood Barbara , Gordon Sandy
Published: January 2023

This paper describes a five-day intensive leadership coaching course that was recently introduced as an Advanced Topic in Management within the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offered by The University of Western Australia (UWA) Business School. The unit was designed specifically for those students nearing the completion of their MBA studies and curious about coaching and its ability to bring about individual and organisational transformation. In addition to summarising the course outline, including learning outcomes, teaching and learning strategies, unit delivery and means of assessment, both qualitative and quantitative course evaluation feedback data from students enrolled in 2007 (N=40) and 2008 (N=40) are presented. Results indicated that leadership coaching students expressed a strengthened belief in their coaching skills in response to taking the unit.
Negative effects of coaching for coaches: An explorative study
Authors: Schermuly Carsten C.
Published: January 2023

Objectives:

There exists only scarce knowledge regarding what negative effects can occur to business coaches as a result of their work. Negative effects, defined as all harmful or unwanted results for coaches directly caused by coaching that occur parallel to or following coaching, are theoretically inferred in this study. Additionally, negative effects are quantitatively explored and validated.

Design:

Negative effects of coaching for coaches were identified via structured expert interviews. Based on the results of the interviews a new questionnaire was developed. Coaches were then surveyed online using this questionnaire. A sample of supervisors was also surveyed and compared to the coaches regarding important work-related variables.

Methods:

104 German coaches were quantitively surveyed using a new questionnaire regarding the frequency and intensity of negative effects in their most recent coaching and in their career. To validate the new questionnaire and the results, relevant cognitions towards their work (psychological empowerment) and the affective well-being of the coaches were also measured.

Results:

In more than 90 per cent of all recent coaching at least one negative effect was present. On average 5.9 negative effects occurred per coaching. During their careers 99 per cent of the coaches were confronted at least once with a negative effect. Negative effects are associated with the psychological empowerment and affective well-being of coaches, which speaks for the validity of the new questionnaire and subsequent results.

Conclusions:

Negative effects for coaches as a result of their work occur very often and in a heterogeneous way but these effects are of rather low intensity. The validity of these effects could be shown.
What is NLP? The development of a grounded theory of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, (NLP), within an action research journey. Implications for the use of NLP in coaching psychology
Authors: Grimley Bruce Nerli
Published: January 2023

Despite the wide use of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, (NLP), within coaching psychology very little literature of a critical nature examines what NLP is, how it works and whether it works. This paper seeks to address that void by asking 15 subject matter experts what their definition of NLP is. In order to develop a theory of NLP that was not skewed, data from a discussion between 19 NLP informed professionals concerning the authenticity of NLP, (44,000 words), was also used in the coding process to generate a grounded theory of NLP. The emerging theory was recycled back to the 15 subject matter experts and 19 informed professionals a number of times and compared and contrasted with the extant literature before the final theory emerged and became somewhat substantiated as a result of saturation. This paper examines the use of NLP within coaching psychology in the context of such a new theory of NLP and suggests developments in the light of such an examination.
Trust your gut, listen to reason: How experienced coaches work with intuition in their practice
Authors: Sheldon Claire
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Experienced coaches profess using intuition in their work. Practitioner literature positions it as a critical coaching tool. Yet minimal empirical data supports using intuition in evidence based coaching practice. This study looked to: add detail to the map of how experienced coaches work with their intuition in their practice, and to the interplay between ‘gut’ and ‘reason’; and to co-create a language, theory or model to support and legitimise discussion about intuition in coaching.

Design

A qualitative approach rooted in social constructionism was chosen to accommodate the enquiry, grounded theory to provide structure.

Methods

An abbreviated form of grounded theory method (GTM) was developed to explore how four experienced executive coaches talked about intuition and worked at the boundary between intuitive and rational ways of knowing. Data was generated during the iterations of focus group, online discussion and follow-up conversations. Purposive sampling was used.

Results

Findings suggested that: dialogue sharpens and extends individual understandings of intuition in coaching; and expertise and developmental maturity facilitate more choiceful and effective decisions about using intuitions. A model, ‘Working at the boundary’, symbolises the potential in the moment between a coach noticing and responding to an intuition. It captures four ways of working with intuition, mapping the impact of these interventions on the coaching relationship.

Conclusions

Expertise and maturing as a coach have an impact on the quality of interventions at the intuitive/rational boundary, and dialogue extends understandings of intuition. More research is needed – and ‘Working at the boundary’ kick-starts conversations about intuition and provides a tool for coaching psychologists and their supervisors.
Measuring self-confidence in workplace settings: A conceptual and methodological review of measures of self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem
Authors: Kane Anna , Yarker Joanna , Lewis Rachel
Published: January 2023

Coaching is often used to improve self-confidence however little is known about how self-confidence is measured. For practitioners looking to evaluate their work, being able to measure self-confidence is key. This systematic review presents findings from a conceptual and methodological review of measures of self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem and considers their use in workplace settings. Three databases (EBSCOhost business source premier, Proquest ABI/INFORM Collection and ASSIA and PsycINFO) were searched to retrieve empirical studies published up until 2017, with no lower time limit. A search of theses and dissertations was also conducted. 15 papers met the inclusion criteria providing the development and properties of 15 different measures of self-confidence. The conceptual review included a thematic analysis of the items across all measures and Skinner’s (1981) validity evidence framework was chosen to underpin the methodological review. A number of conceptual and methodological limitations of the available measures were noted. The available measures do not comprehensively measure the construct of self-confidence. Furthermore, they are limited in their design and development, their psychometric properties and validity in a workplace setting. We conclude that current measures are unlikely to measure self-confidence effectively within workplace settings and make recommendations for future developments.
Does it last? A systematic review of the enduring effects on managers from executive coaching
Authors: McInerney Éamon , Giga Sabir , Morris Abigail S.
Published: January 2023

This systematic review explores the enduring, individual effects on managers following executive coaching, which is a widely used, expensive intervention. To date, short-term effects appear largely positive, although the medium and long-term individual effects are largely under-investigated. The data for the review comprise primary studies published in peer-reviewed journals reporting individual outcomes on managers from executive coaching where data were collected at least one month after the end of the coaching. Evidence of enduring outcomes from the 16 retained studies was integrated using narrative synthesis. Research insights from the studies were integrated using techniques of meta-synthesis. The synthesis of evidence suggests that effects in the cognitive, behavioural and affective domains persist in the months following the coaching and that some effects may emerge only after the intervention has ended. The insights from the retained studies suggest that enduring outcomes involve two key sub-processes occurring within the overall coaching process: ‘psychological resourcing’ and ‘leader identity development’. Overall, the systematic review highlights the paucity of research on how the effects of executive coaching unfold over time and the absence of a theoretical framework to guide research in this area. Specific knowledge gaps are identified and future research strategies are proposed.
Mental Capacity Act (2005) assessments: Why everyone needs to know about the frontal lobe paradox
Authors: George Melanie , Gilbert Sam
Published: January 2023

Patients with frontal lobe damage can perform well in interview and test settings, despite marked impairments in everyday life. This is known as the ‘frontal lobe paradox’. Failing to take account of this when conducting Mental Capacity Act assessments can result in disastrous consequences for patients. We suggest that neuropsychologists work collaboratively with local authority social workers and care managers, who often have the final say in such assessments, to raise awareness of this issue.
Functional neurological disorder: Reflections on a pilot psychoeducational group in Hampshire
Authors: Joshua Blake , Astri Ablitt , Claudio Ruffmann , Kim Morley , Steve Williams , Anna Moore , Ben Papps
Published: January 2023

Across the country there are many areas in which follow-up service provision for people diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) is lacking. To address the absence of follow-up service provision in our own locality, we established an interdisciplinary psychoeducational group for people with FND. Here, we describe the intervention and present a preliminary analysis of outcome measures and feedback forms. Results of this analysis show promise, but further investigation is needed to better understand the group’s effectiveness.
Neuropsychology in Australia: A multidimensional perspective
Authors: Jonathan Foster , Carmel Lum , Kerry Williams
Published: January 2023

This paper reviews neuropsychology in a,nother major English speaking country, Australia,. It is written from a multidimensional perspective by an international multiethnic team that has trained and worked in neuropsychology in the UK, Canada and the US, as well as in Australia itself. In addition to reviewing training and practice in neuropsychology, the focus is on the development and application of the discipline 'down under' within a broader historical and cultural context. For many years, Australian neuropsychology was strongly influenced by its connections to the UK (e.g. via explicit linkages to the British Psychological Society) and North America. Over more recent decades, while remaining strongly connected to and influenced by larger English-speaking global academic and professional communities Australian neuropsychology has carved out a distinctive niche and has made significant international contribution in its own right.
Using the ACT Matrix with an individual with severe brain injury
Authors: Coates Richard
Published: January 2023

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach that is increasingly found to be very helpful for adjustment following acquired brain injury. The ACT Matrix is a perspective taking tool that can help support cognitive difficulties in the adjustment process and lead to greater ‘psychological flexibility’ and vitality. The utility of the ACT Matrix is demonstrated with a client with a severe brain injury.
Piloting a bespoke memory toolkit: Intervention for children following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Snyder Fiona , Liégeois Frédérique , Murphy Tara
Published: January 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children causes long-term impairment in cognition and behaviour, with memory difficulties commonly reported as having the biggest impact on quality of life. Despite this, there is little research on clinical intervention to treat these difficulties. The paediatric neurocognitive interventions (PNI) model offers a framework for planning interventions, accounting for developmental and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate clinical interventions for children with memory impairments following TBI, using the PNI framework. Five children (8–15 years old) with TBI and memory impairments were randomised to two groups in a multiple baseline design. A six-week, one-hour-per-week, toolkit intervention for memory impairment was delivered to all children. Interventions included psychoeducation, mnemonic strategies and environmental adjustments. Participants were evaluated at three, two-monthly time points. Results indicated that, whilst memory performance itself may not be readily remediated, the everyday difficulties experienced by children with TBI can be improved through brief bespoke clinical interventions.
Refining neuropsychological assessment reports to meet the needs of all stakeholders: A service evaluation in a community neurorehabilitation service for adults with acquired brain injury
Authors: Leedale Charlotte , Weller Lara , Robson Nichola
Published: January 2023

A substantial proportion of neuropsychologists’ time is spent writing reports; however, there is a paucity of professional guidance surrounding this practice within the UK. A cross-sectional mixed methods approach was used to complete a stakeholder consultation survey. Feedback on report content and format was gathered from service users (SU) (N=34) and professional referrers (N=27) to review and refine current report writing practice. Findings showed more areas of similarity than difference between SU and professionals’ preferences, however SU tend to prefer longer, more detailed reports whereas professionals expressed a preference for shorter reports containing specific pieces of information. Findings are used to inform current practice locally.
Marketing your business
Authors: Powell Susan
Published: January 2023

Gaining the expertise you need to be an occupational psychologist involves intensive and ongoing training. What that training doesn’t provideis the marketing expertise to promote you as a business. This article gives you an introduction to one approach to marketing, and some tips to help you and your business succeed.
Supervision of Professional Practice
Authors: Carter Angela
Published: January 2023

What is it?

Should we do it?

Don’t we do it anyway?
Evidence-based practice in practice
Authors: Nuttgens Claudia , Briner Rob
Published: January 2023

Claudia Nuttgens and Rob Briner presented their paper on evidence-based practice at the Conference. Here, in conversation, they discuss what they did, and why they did it. They welcome feedback and comments that will continue the conversation.
Talent management and managing a continuing professional development session
Authors: Clements Andrew
Published: January 2023

LAST YEAR I was approached with a suggestion. Why not set up a network to provide continuing professional development (CPD) to occupational psychologists? The Division of Occupational Psychology (DOP) committee was seeking to expand the range across the country at which DOP members could gain access to CPD. As an enthusiastic, and possibly suggestible, early career academic I was keen to engage with the idea. In November we hosted a free CPD session at the University of Bedfordshire, and I would consider it a successful event. In this short article, I would like to discuss the session, but also how I went about organising the event. I hope that some (equally suggestible?) readers may be encouraged to set up a local network, or to attend a CPD session held at Bedfordshire.
Peter Cheese, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Authors: Goate Robert
Published: January 2023

In March 2014, Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, was keynote speaker at BPP University where he spoke of the challenges and opportunities facing the HR profession today. Following the event, Peter kindly agreed to be interviewed for OP Matters by its volunteer editor Robert Goate.
Interview with Alan Bourne
Authors: McDowall Almuth
Published: January 2023

Co-chair of the Work-Life Balance Working Group, and a previous chair of the Division, caught up with Alan Bourne following the seminar in September in London.
Recruiting a clinical population
Authors: Toye Martin K.
Published: January 2023

The recruitment of clinical populations can be an important feature of postgraduate psychological research. This article outlines the challenges and strategies to be aware of when embarking on such work.
The facts of life – research grants
Authors: Beattie Geoff
Published: January 2023

Geoff Beattie is a Professor of Psychology at Edge Hill University and a Master’s supervisor on the Sustainability Leadership programme at the University of Cambridge. Best known for his work in non-verbal communication and body language, Geoff has also made a significant contribution to the psychology of sustainable consumption and implicit prejudice. This is evidenced in his success to obtain research grants, with a project on sustainable consumer behaviours funded by Tesco. Here, Geoff provides a narrative of his experiences with grant applications.
Hints and Tips: Advice for an academic study visit
Authors: Ulrich Philip I.N.
Published: January 2023

Studying for a PhD requires learning new skills and building a body of research for a thesis. One way that can facilitate the achievement of these tasks is through a brief study visit to another institution. In this article, I outline some of the key points you need to know when thinking about organising a study visit, including advice and suggestions of how to start the process, how to fund the visit, and how to get started with networking. Here, I also include reflections and examples from my own visit. The core message of this article is to encourage other PhD students to visit the research environment of another institution.
Convergence and divergence of apathy and depression
Authors: Radakovic Ratko
Published: January 2023

Apathy and depression can occur as independent constructs in various diseases, however, they have also been shown to overlap in certain features. It is not always clear as to how these two constructs are practically and theoretically different (divergent) or similar (convergent). Therefore, this article aims to discuss how the relevant literature has attempted to explain the issue of divergence and convergence of these constructs and to clarify this important, albeit complex, relationship between features of apathy and depression. Finally, important considerations are outlined so that apathy and depression can be assessed and researched while taking in to account these divergent and convergent features.
The 43rd Annual British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (Warwick, 20–24 July 2015)
Authors: Page Sarah
Published: January 2023

The British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies hold their annual conference every summer, using academically prominent universities as their venue. This year’s conference presented research spanning a diverse assortment of interests and approaches within psychotherapy; sessions explored a widerange of clinical disorders and therapeutic techniques across multiple clinical settings. In this article I discuss symposiums that emphasised innovation in psychotherapy, focusing on novel ways to treat complex symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and inventive use of technology to enhance clinical practice. I also highlight the benefits that attendance has for delegates, including clinical, academic and networking opportunities.
Wholist-Analytic style and context as variables in metalinguistic performance: An investigation of second language speakers
Authors: Zhang Meng , Noyes Jan M.
Published: January 2023

The Wholist-Analytic dimension of cognitive style, which reflects how a person views information, is proposed as being relevant to the ability of attentional control, that is, the ability to function under distracting or ambiguous conditions and distinguish relevant or irrelevant information. In the present study, 40 Chinese participants with English as their second language carried out a metalinguistic task correcting grammatical and spelling errors in a set of English texts under time pressure. Contexts of the texts were manipulated as a distracting factor to be either semantically correct or absurd. It was hypothesised that the semantically absurd texts would require a higher level of attentional control in linguistic processing to correct the errors because participants would need to avoid paying attention to the ‘distraction’ from the meanings. The wholist-analytic style did show a significant main effect on the high-attention-controlled task, which suggests the analytics are lesser ‘distracted’ by semantic absurdity and more capable of attentional control. Additionally, the analytic participants were also found to be superior to the wholists in linguistic application of grammatical rules in the normal context. This may provide an explanation for why analytics usually perform better than wholists in second language acquisition.
‘Patterned Palace’: A case study supporting the benefits of creative partnership within the Welsh Foundation Phase
Authors: Alderson Dawn , Bebb Lynne , Davies Carolyn
Published: January 2023

‘Patterned Palace’ is a case study that was developed in response to the current global interest that surrounds creative learning, and partnerships between artists and teachers in education. The case study involved a group of researchers (including a teacher, an education advisor, a professional artist and an academic researcher) working together to plan, implement and evidence the role and value of mark making during the creative learning process. The case study was conducted with a Key Stage 1 class, now superseded by the Foundation Phase in Wales. The aim of the study was to increase children’s creative learning experiences through their engagement with the concept of pattern and in particular to consider whether children’s communication of interpretations; generated understandings; reflective activity and ability to predict outcomes could be evidenced when partnered with a professional artist. Parallels between play and creativity are highlighted and the paper describes successful features of the collaborative partnership with reference to implementing the Foundation Phase in Wales.
A comparative study of two methods of synthetic phonics instruction for learning how to read: Jolly Phonics and THRASS
Authors: Callinan Carol , van der Zee Emile
Published: January 2023

The National Strategy for Primary Schools in England (2006) advocates synthetic phonics as a means for teaching children to read. No studies exist to date comparing the effectiveness of different commercially available synthetic phonics methods. This case study compared two schools at which Jolly Phonics (JP) was taught with one school at which THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills) was taught at Reception level (4 to 5 years) over a one-year period. Reading ability for words and non-words as well as short-term memory ability for words and phonemes improved in all schools. However, reading ability improved more in one JP school compared to the THRASS school, with no differences between the other JP school and the THRASS school. This paper considers how particular variables may mask instruction method effects, and advocates taking such factors into account for a more comprehensive future evaluation of synthetic phonics methods.
Special Edition paper: A ‘personal opposites’ approach to understanding achievement goal questionnaires
Authors: Marzouq Shems , Carr Amanda , Slade Lance
Published: January 2023

Like many constructs of interest to educational psychologists, achievement goals are typically measured with psychometrically validated self-report questionnaires. However, the validity of self-report measures depends also on the meaning of items. Validity is threatened when participants interpret questionnaire items in unintended ways. In this paper, we explore the possibilities for divergent understanding of items in achievement goal questionnaires. We use a novel technique by analysing statements that respondents consider to mean the opposite to given questionnaire items. An ‘opposite statement’ highlights which part of the questionnaire item a respondent might attend to, and the mental comparisons they might make before responding. With preliminary data, we discuss the implications of opposite statements for the validity of self-report achievement goal measures. We feel that the implications of this approach may be relevant to the measurement of other social-cognitive constructs used in educational psychology research.
Special Edition paper: Transition, self-regulation, independent learning and goal theory
Authors: Rogers Colin
Published: January 2023

This paper reflects upon findings from a qualitative study exploring the difficulties some students had when attempting to engage with the requirements of ‘Independent Learning’ following the transition to university. The paper considers ways in which the students’ prior learning experiences while studying for A-level may have established certain learning goals that would be difficult to continue to follow whilst also meeting the new HE requirements. These observations are set within the theoretical framework provided by motivational goal theory suggesting some future developments for that theory. These proposed changes include the development of our understanding of the goal of ‘performativity’.
Special Edition paper: The UK Penn Resilience Programme: A summary of research and implementation
Authors: Bailey Lucy , Challen Amy
Published: January 2023

We provide an overview of the UK Penn Resilience Programme (UKPRP), a school-based well-being programme for children and young people piloted in the UK in 2007 and still in use today. The programme aims to build emotional resilience and promote accurate thinking, adaptive coping skills and social problem-solving. A formal evaluation of the pilot, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, found significant improvements in secondary school pupils’ depression symptom scores, attendance at school and academic attainment. Smaller-scale evaluations of the subsequent implementation found positive impacts on teaching staff and primary school pupils. We describe the theoretical basis for UKPRP, how it was initially piloted in the UK, and how it is currently used, as well as providing a summary of the research evidence on its impact.
Special Edition paper: The Thurston Family Project: Working with families through outdoor activities and resiliency training
Authors: McManus Jill
Published: January 2023

This paper is an overview of a pilot project aimed at improving the mental well-being of young people through outdoor activities and resiliency training for the whole family. The Thurston Family Project was part of the Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS) programme in a local authority in the north-east of England. At the core of the project was the aim of teaching resiliency skills to the whole family in response to concerns that mental well-being issues in young people were frequently associated with adverse family circumstances. The project, therefore, aimed to address mental wellbeing needs through working with whole families rather than with young people in isolation. An outdoor education centre was chosen as a residential setting for delivering this training in order to provide an opportunity for families to apply resilience skills to challenging activities and to provide a supportive environment for them to explore new experiences and ideas. Evidence from the project evaluation indicated many of the young people reported more positive attitudes towards school and their home environment while their teachers noted reductions in anxiety, less disruptive behaviour at school and higher levels of pro-social behaviours. Parents reported making positive changes in family life and some showed greater engagement with opportunities in the community.
Special Edition paper: Resilience in Learning: A report on Action Research in a West Midlands Primary School
Authors: Quirk Morag , Thornbery Emma , Power Michaela , Samuel Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

There has been recent interest in the changing profession of educational psychology and the unique contribution it can make within evolving Children’s Services (Cameron, 2006). This paper provides an account of an innovative approach to Educational Psychology Service delivery that has been informed by research regarding effective methods of supporting change and development in educational settings. The account focuses on a development initiative within one West Midlands Primary School. The focus of the project with the school was to develop children’s resilience in relation to learning. It was concluded that although a long-term, collaborative approach to supporting school development was time consuming, it can have a greater impact at a classroom, whole school and community level than traditional training models. Given the high level of resources required for this approach, it would be useful to measure the longer term impact on learning and compare this approach with others in terms of cost effectiveness, particularly within the current economic climate.
Special Edition article Emotional self-efficacy and emotional intelligence: A fresh perspective on mathematics anxiety
Authors: Tariq Vicki N.
Published: January 2023

Mathematics anxiety is a multidimensional construct that can not only impair an individual’s learning and performance in mathematics, but that can also adversely affect their academic achievement in mathematics-dependent disciplines, reducing future career options. It remains one of the most prevalent and debilitating problems individuals must overcome if they are to succeed in learning and applying mathematics, and appears to be more prevalent in females. This paper summarises recent research into the potential for emotional self-efficacy (ESE) and emotional intelligence (EI) to help moderate the negative emotions associated with mathematics anxiety and thus improve performance in mathematics and enhance academic achievement. Emerging gender differences in these moderating effects are highlighted, and future areas of research are discussed.