Tel: 020 7911 5000 ext: 2184

Background: 

I completed my BSc (Hons.) in Psychology at the University of Manchester in 2008.  I went on to complete my MSc in Health Psychology at Kings College London, a joint course with the University College London. I joined the University of Westminster to undertake my PhD in the Psychophysiology & Stress Research Group in September 2010.

Title of research: 

Health and Positive Psychological Interventions - the happi study 

Director of Studies: Professor Angela Clow

Supervisors: Professor Phil Evans, Professor Frank Hucklebridge, and Dr Lisa Thorn 

Overall Aim: 

The primary aim of this project is to investigate the influence of subjective and psychological well-being on health and clarify the physiological pathways mediating this association. 

Project Summary: 

Recent interest in positive psychology indicates the potentially protective factors of well-being on health related processes. However the physiological processes mediating this relationship are unclear and available evidence is characterised by conflicting and inconsistent results. This project aims to untangle the mechanisms mediating this relationship by investigating the association between the diurnal pattern of cortisol secretion (known to be related to health outcomes) and positive subjective and psychological well-being.  In particular I will be investigating the adaptability of the cortisol awakening response in relation to positive well-being. 

This project will consist of four phases.  Initially an online questionnaire and a cross-sectional study will provide information about participants with low and high subjective and psychological well-being, including information about their patterns of salivary cortisol secretion. The main part of my PhD will consist of an intervention study whereby participants will engage in a positive psychological intervention and complete measures of salivary cortisol and ratings of subjective and psychological well-being before and after the intervention. The aim is to determine whether the intervention affects self-report well-being and health measures as well as patterns of cortisol secretion. 

Progress so far: 

This project will consist of four phases, the first phase is underway and I am recruiting full- or part-time students to fill in an online questionnaire. If you are interested in participating please email me or visit the following webpage to complete the questionnaire.

http://home.wmin.ac.uk/psychology2/nina/happi_study.asp

Publications